bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 activation ameliorates CCl4‐induced chronic liver fibrosis in mice by up‐regulating Nrf2/HO‐1 antioxidant pathway
Authors: Ma Xin , Luo Qin , Zhu Hong , Liu Xuejing , Dong Zhen , Zhang Kaili , Zou Yunzeng , Wu Jian , Ge Junbo , Sun Aijun 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is critical in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. However, the effect of ALHD2 on liver fibrosis remains to be further elucidated. This study aimed to demonstrate whether ALDH2 regulates carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver fibrosis and to investigate the efficacy of Alda‐1, a specific activator of ALDH2, on attenuating liver fibrosis. ALDH2 expression was increased after chronic CCl4 exposure. ALDH2 deficiency accentuated CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis in mice, accompanied by increased expression of collagen 1α1, α‐SMA and TIMP‐1. Moreover, ALDH2 knockout triggered more ROS generation, hepatocyte apoptosis and impaired mitophagy after CCl4 treatment. In cultured HSC‐T6 cells, ALDH2 knockdown by transfecting with lentivirus vector increased ROS generation and α‐SMA expression in an in vitro hepatocyte fibrosis model using TGF‐β1. ALDH2 overexpression by lentivirus or activation by Alda‐1 administration partly reversed the effect of TGF‐β1, whereas ALDH2 knockdown totally blocked the protective effect of Alda‐1. Furthermore, Alda‐1 administration protected against liver fibrosis in vivo, which might be mediated through up‐regulation of Nrf2/HO‐1 cascade and activation of Parkin‐related mitophagy. These findings indicate that ALDH2 deficiency aggravated CCl4‐induced hepatic fibrosis through ROS overproduction, increased apoptosis and mitochondrial damage, whereas ALDH2 activation through Alda‐1 administration alleviated hepatic fibrosis partly through activation of the Nrf2/HO‐1 antioxidant pathway and Parkin‐related mitophagy, which indicate ALDH2 as a promising anti‐fibrotic target and Alda‐1 as a potential therapeutic agent in treating CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis.
Interacting effects of predation risk and resource level on escape speed of amphibian larvae along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Lindgren Beatrice , Orizaola Germán , Laurila Anssi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractFast‐growing genotypes living in time‐constrained environments are often more prone to predation, suggesting that growth‐predation risk trade‐offs are important factors maintaining variation in growth along climatic gradients. However, the mechanisms underlying how fast growth increases predation‐mediated mortality are not well understood. Here, we investigated if slow‐growing, low‐latitude individuals have faster escape swimming speed than fast‐growing high‐latitude individuals using common frog (Rana temporaria) tadpoles from eight populations collected along a 1500 km latitudinal gradient. We measured escape speed in terms of burst and endurance speeds in tadpoles raised in the laboratory at two food levels and in the presence and absence of a predator (Aeshna dragonfly larvae). We did not find any latitudinal trend in escape speed performance. In low food treatments, burst speed was higher in tadpoles reared with predators but did not differ between high‐food treatments. Endurance speed, on the contrary, was lower in high‐food tadpoles reared with predators and did not differ between treatments at low food levels. Tadpoles reared with predators showed inducible morphology (increased relative body size and tail depth), which had positive effects on speed endurance at low but not at high food levels. Burst speed was positively affected by tail length and tail muscle size in the absence of predators. Our results suggest that escape speed does not trade‐off with fast growth along the latitudinal gradient in R. temporaria tadpoles. Instead, escape speed is a plastic trait and strongly influenced by the interaction between resource level and predation risk.
Efficacy and Tolerability of Direct‐Acting Antivirals for Hepatitis C in Older Adults
Authors: Mazzarelli Chiara , Considine Aisling , Childs Kate , Carey Ivana , Manini Matteo Angelo , Suddle Abid , Dusheiko Geoffrey , Agarwal Kosh , Cannon Mary D. 
Published: May 2018

ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in individuals aged 65 and older.DesignRetrospective review between June 2014 and January 2017.SettingViral hepatitis outpatient clinic.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 65 and older treated with DAA therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) during the study period (N=113) divided into 2 cohorts: aged 65 to 74 (n=88) and aged 75 and older (n=25).MeasurementsDrug‐drug interactions (DDIs), adverse events (AEs), and rates of sustained virologic response with DAA therapy were assessed.ResultsSustained virologic response rate was 97.7% in individuals aged 65 to 74 and 95.8% in those aged 75 and older. Individuals aged 75 and older were more likely to be taking more than 2 medications per day for chronic conditions (84% vs 62%, p=.02) and more likely to have clinically significant DDIs necessitating cessation or adjustment of medications before commencement of DAA therapy (80% vs 36%, p=.001). Moreover, individuals aged 75 and older were more likely to experience an AE during therapy (50% vs 26%, p=.03) and were more susceptible to developing anemia secondary to ribavirin (60% vs 20%, p=.02).ConclusionDAA therapy is highly efficacious for the treatment of HCV in older adults, but those aged 75 and older are more likely to have clinically significant pretreatment DDIs and experience AEs, including ribavirin‐induced anemia, during therapy.
Adherence to Canada's Food Guide recommendations among Alberta's multi‐ethnic youths is a major concern: findings from the WHY ACT NOW project
Authors: Kolahdooz F. , Nader F. , Daemi M. , Jang S. L. , Johnston N. , Sharma S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundDietary habits formed during youth may result in the development of obesity and chronic diseases in adulthood. We aimed to determine the frequency of the consumption of foods and beverages and the degree of adherence to Canada's Food Guide recommendations among multi‐ethnic youths.MethodsParticipants were recruited from 12 schools in the Edmonton, Alberta area by use of posters, school newsletters and advertisements. A 30‐item food frequency questionnaire was administered by a trained interviewer to assess dietary intake in a convenience sample of 557 (328 females and 229 males) youths aged 11–23 years; for the purpose of the present study, only the 14–18 years age group was considered in the analysis. Participants were divided by sex and self‐identified ethnicity into four groups [Indigenous, African & Middle Eastern (AME), Asian, and European]. Statistical analysis of the data was undertaken using t‐tests, Welch's analysis of variance and Games‐Howell tests. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsVegetables and Fruit recommendations were the least likely to be followed, with 90.7–96.8% of participants in all groups not consuming the recommended number of servings day–1. The mean frequency of fruit consumption was lower among Indigenous youths compared to Asian youths (0.90 versus 1.37 times day–1). A greater proportion of males than females (55.9% versus 44.3%) did not meet the minimum recommendations for Meat and Alternatives (P = 0.016). The percentage of youths not adhering to recommendations for Milk and Alternatives was 81.7% for Indigenous, 73.3% for AME, 78.6% for Asian and 63.5% for European youths. Indigenous youths more frequently consumed potato chips and soft drinks compared to other ethnic youths. The most frequently consumed beverage was milk (1.25 times day–1).ConclusionsThe majority of youths did not consume minimum daily recommended servings of Vegetables and Fruit, Milk and Alternatives, and/or Meat and Alternatives food groups. Evidence‐based dietary interventions and public health strategies are needed.
Non‐pharmacological interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities and depression: a systematic review
Authors: Hamers P. C. M. , Festen D. A. M. , Hermans H. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundAlthough high rates of depression symptoms are reported in adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs), there is a lack of knowledge about non‐pharmacological treatment options for depression in this population. The first research question of this paper is: Which non‐pharmacological interventions have been studied in adults with ID and depression? The second research question is: What were the results of these non‐pharmacological interventions?MethodSystematic review of the literature with an electronic search in six databases has been completed with hand searches. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses guidelines have been followed. Selected studies met predefined inclusion criteria.ResultsLiterature search resulted in 4267 papers of which 15 met the inclusion criteria. Five different types of non‐pharmacological interventions have been studied: cognitive behavioural therapy, behavioural therapy, exercise intervention, social problem‐solving skills programme and bright light therapy.ConclusionThere are only a few studies of good quality evaluating non‐pharmacological interventions for adults with ID and depression. Some of these studies, especially studies on cognitive behavioural therapy, show good results in decreasing depressive symptoms. High‐quality randomised controlled trials evaluating non‐pharmacological interventions with follow‐up are needed.
Monkey viral pathology in the Sukhum colony and modeling human viral infections
Authors: Lapin Boris A. , Shevtsova Zinaida V. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe data characterizing spontaneous infections of Old World monkeys: measles, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A (HPA), encephalomyocarditis, coronavirus infection, simian hemorrhagic fever (SHF), are presented. The experimental infections were reproduced with the isolated pathogens. On these models, pathogenesis and epidemiology of these diseases were studied. The efficiency of poliomyelitis, measles and HPA vaccines is shown. The priority of data on the discovery of earlier unknown disease—SHF and “Sukhumi” virus—are emphasized. Several important pathogenic mechanisms common for various hemorrhagic fevers were studied on experimental SHF of macaques. This model is uniquely safe and adequate for the assessment of therapy of hemorrhagic fevers dangerous for humans.
Is genetic drift to blame for testicular dysgenesis syndrome in Semliki chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii)?
Authors: Rich Alicia M. , Wasserman Michael D. , Deimel Caroline , Breeden Scott K. , Kaestle Frederika , Hunt Kevin D. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundWe present 3 likely cases of testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS) within a community of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). We tested whether genetic drift may be the culprit, as a genetic cause has been suspected to account for TDS among other wildlife.MethodsWe successfully sequenced a 367‐bp segment spanning the first hypervariable region within the D‐loop of the mitochondrial genome for 78 DNA samples.ResultsWe found 24 polymorphic sequence sites consisting of 7 singletons and 17 parsimony informative sites. This sample contained 9 haplotypes with a diversity index of 0.78 (SD = 0.03). All tests against the null hypothesis of neutral polymorphisms were non‐significant (P > .10). The mismatch distribution of pairwise differences does not fit a Poisson's curve (raggedness index = 0.166; SSD = 0.12; P = 1).ConclusionsThus, we found no significant signs of genetic isolation, population expansion, or genetic bottleneck. Alternative causes of TDS and how they might pertain to this population are discussed.
Oral Histories of Nurse‐Midwives in Georgia, 1970‐1989: Blazing Trails, Building Fences, Raising Towers
Authors: Thrower Eileen J. B. 
Published: May 2018

IntroductionThis article provides an account of the establishment and development of the contemporary nurse‐midwifery profession in Georgia, which was previously undocumented. Oral history interviews with nurse‐midwives who were in clinical and educational practice in Georgia during the 1970s and 1980s were collected and analyzed to identify factors that affected the establishment of nurse‐midwifery in this state.MethodsThis study relied on historical methodology. Oral history interviews provided primary sources for analysis. Secondary sources included archives belonging to the narrators’ nurse‐midwifery services as well as scholarly and professional publications from 1923 to the present. Data were analyzed using Miller‐Rosser and colleagues’ method.ResultsIn‐depth interviews were conducted with 14 nurse‐midwives who worked in clinical practice or education in Georgia in the 1970s and 1980s. The narrators’ testimonies revealed facilitators for the establishment of nurse‐midwifery in Georgia, including increasing access to care, providing woman‐centered care, interprofessional relationships, and the support of peers. Resistance from the medical profession, financial constraints, and public misconceptions were identified as barriers for the profession.DiscussionOral histories in this study provided insight into the experiences of nurse‐midwives in Georgia as they practiced and taught in the 1970s and 1980s. Interprofessional connections and cooperation supported the nurse‐midwifery profession, and relationships with peers anchored the nurse‐midwives. Mentoring relationships and interprofessional collaboration supported the nurse‐midwives as they adapted and evolved to meet the needs of women in Georgia.
Change in weight and central obesity by positive airway pressure treatment in obstructive sleep apnea patients: longitudinal data from the ESADA cohort
Authors: Basoglu Ozen K. , Zou Ding , Tasbakan Mehmet S. , Hedner Jan , Ryan Silke , Verbraecken Johan , Escourrou Pierre , Antalainen Ulla , Kvamme John A. , Bonsignore Maria R. , Schiza Sofia , Grote Ludger ,   ESADA Study Group
Published: May 2018

SummaryThe effect of positive airway pressure treatment on weight and markers of central obesity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea remains unclear. We studied the change in body weight and anthropometric measures following positive airway pressure treatment in a large clinical cohort. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea with positive airway pressure treatment from the European Sleep Apnea Database registry (n = 1,415, 77% male, age 54 ± 11 [mean ± SD] years, body mass index 31.7 ± 6.4 kg/m2, apnea–hypopnea index 37 ± 24 n per hr, Epworth Sleepiness Scale 10.2 ± 5.0) were selected. Changes in body mass index and neck/waist/hip circumferences at baseline and at follow‐up visit were analysed. Overall, body mass index (0.0 [95% confidence interval, −0.1 to 0.2] kg/m2) and neck circumference (0.0 (95% confidence interval, −0.1 to 0.1] cm) were unchanged after positive airway pressure treatment compared with baseline (follow‐up duration 1.1 ± 1.0 years and compliance 5.2 ± 2.1 hr per day). However, in non‐obese (body mass index <30 kg/m2) patients, positive airway pressure treatment was associated with an increased body mass index and waist circumference (0.4 [0.3–0.5] kg/m2 and 0.8 [0.4–1.2] cm, respectively, all p < 0.05), and weight gain was significantly associated with higher positive airway pressure compliance and longer positive airway pressure treatment duration. In the obese subgroup, body mass index was reduced after positive airway pressure treatment (−0.3 [−0.5 to −0.1] kg/m2, p < 0.05) mainly in patients with a strong reduction in Epworth Sleepiness Scale. In conclusion, positive airway pressure therapy was not found to systematically change body mass index in the European Sleep Apnea Database cohort, but the response was heterogeneous. Our findings suggest that weight gain may be restricted to an obstructive sleep apnea phenotype without established obesity. Lifestyle intervention needs to be considered in both lean and obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea receiving positive airway pressure treatment.
Rapid genetic adaptation to a novel environment despite a genome‐wide reduction in genetic diversity
Authors: Willoughby Janna R. , Harder Avril M. , Tennessen Jacob A. , Scribner Kim T. , Christie Mark R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroduced species often colonize regions that have vastly different ecological and environmental conditions than those found in their native range. As such, species introductions can provide a deeper understanding into the process of adaptive evolution. In the 1880s, steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from California were introduced into Lake Michigan (Laurentian Great Lakes, North America) where they established naturally reproducing populations. In their native range, steelhead hatch in rivers, migrate to the ocean and return to freshwater to spawn. Steelhead in Lake Michigan continue to swim up rivers to spawn, but now treat the freshwater environment of the Great Lakes as a surrogate ocean. To examine the effects of this introduction, we sequenced the genomes of 264 fish. By comparing steelhead from Lake Michigan to steelhead from their ancestral range, we determined that the introduction led to consistent reductions in genetic diversity across all 29 chromosomes. Despite this reduction in genetic diversity, three chromosomal regions were associated with rapid genetic adaptation to the novel environment. The first region contained functional changes to ceramide kinase, which likely altered metabolic and wound‐healing rates in Lake Michigan steelhead. The second and third regions encoded carbonic anhydrases and a solute carrier protein, both of which are critical for osmoregulation, and demonstrate how steelhead physiologically adapted to freshwater. Furthermore, the contemporary release of diverse hatchery strains into the lake increased genetic diversity but reduced the signature of genetic adaptation. This study illustrates that species can rapidly adapt to novel environments despite genome‐wide reductions in genetic diversity.
Synthesizing the role of epigenetics in the response and adaptation of species to climate change in freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Jeremias Guilherme , Barbosa João , Marques Sérgio M. , Asselman Jana , Gonçalves Fernando J. M. , Pereira Joana L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractFreshwater ecosystems are amongst the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. Currently, climate change is one of the most important drivers of freshwater transformation and its effects include changes in the composition, biodiversity and functioning of freshwater ecosystems. Understanding the capacity of freshwater species to tolerate the environmental fluctuations induced by climate change is critical to the development of effective conservation strategies. In the last few years, epigenetic mechanisms were increasingly put forward in this context because of their pivotal role in gene–environment interactions. In addition, the evolutionary role of epigenetically inherited phenotypes is a relatively recent but promising field. Here, we examine and synthesize the impacts of climate change on freshwater ecosystems, exploring the potential role of epigenetic mechanisms in both short‐ and long‐term adaptation of species. Following this wrapping‐up of current evidence, we particularly focused on bringing together the most promising future research avenues towards a better understanding of the effects of climate change on freshwater biodiversity, specifically highlighting potential molecular targets and the most suitable freshwater species for future epigenetic studies in this context.
Functional variation in the gut microbiome of wild Drosophila populations
Authors: Bost Alyssa , Martinson Vincent G. , Franzenburg Soeren , Adair Karen L. , Albasi Alice , Wells Martin T. , Douglas Angela E. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMost of the evidence that the gut microbiome of animals is functionally variable, with consequences for the health and fitness of the animal host, is based on laboratory studies, often using inbred animals under tightly controlled conditions. It is largely unknown whether these microbiome effects would be evident in outbred animal populations under natural conditions. In this study, we quantified the functional traits of the gut microbiota (metagenome) and host (gut transcriptome) and the taxonomic composition of the gut microorganisms (16S rRNA gene sequence) in natural populations of three mycophagous Drosophila species. Variation in microbiome function and composition was driven principally by the period of sample collection, while host function varied mostly with Drosophila species, indicating that variation in microbiome traits is determined largely by environmental factors, and not host taxonomy. Despite this, significant correlations between microbiome and host functional traits were obtained. In particular, microbiome functions dominated by metabolism were positively associated with host functions relating to gut epithelial turnover. Much of the functional variation in the microbiome could be attributed to variation in abundance of Bacteroidetes, rather than the two other abundant groups, the γ‐Proteobacteria or Lactobacillales. We conclude that functional variation in the interactions between animals and their gut microbiome can be detectable in natural populations, and, in mycophagous Drosophila, this variation relates primarily to metabolism and homeostasis of the gut epithelium.
Notes from a snail island: Littorinid evolution and adaptation
Authors: Ravinet Mark 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe most successful study systems are built on a foundation of decades of research on the basic biology, ecology and life history of the organisms in question. Combined with new technologies, this can provide a formidable means to address important issues in evolutionary biology and molecular ecology. Littorinid marine snails are a good example of this, with a rich literature on their taxonomy, speciation, thermal tolerance and behavioural adaptations. In August 2017, an international meeting on Littorinid evolution was held at the Tjärnö Marine Research Laboratory in Western Sweden. In this meeting review, I provide a summary of some of the exciting work on parallel evolution, sexual selection and adaptation to environmental stress presented there. I argue that newly available genomic resources present an opportunity for integrating the traditionally divergent fields of speciation and environmental adaptation in Littorinid research.
Data‐Driven Two‐Level Performance Evaluation of Eddy‐Current Tuned Mass Damper for Building Structures Using Shaking Table and Field Testing
Authors: Lu Xilin , Zhang Qi , Wu Weichao , Shan Jiazeng 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA computational framework with a two‐level performance evaluation is proposed for the tuned mass damper (TMD)‐structure system and is implemented for a new eddy‐current (EC) TMD in a data‐driven manner by incorporating the measurements from a shaking table test and real‐world field tests. The first level of evaluation corresponds to the data analysis with classical performance indices, whereas the second level focuses on the energy dissipation and exchange behavior in the time domain. Accordingly, two key steps of physical modeling and unmeasured response estimation are sequentially presented, and the steps adopt two types of energy balance formulations and state–space descriptions for the primary structure and the TMD, respectively. In the case of shaking table test, the momentary and cumulative behavior of energy dissipation and exchange at the second level is systematically revealed, and several key issues are identified for explaining the observed performance variation and excitation‐sensitivity. In the case of field test, the damping and control performance of the EC‐TMD at the real‐world scale is investigated with informative results using the first level evaluation.