bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of Dendritic-Epithelial Cell Responses against Sphingomonas Paucimobilis by Dietary Fibers
Authors: Bermudez-Brito Miriam , Faas Marijke M , de Vos Paul 
Published: July 2016

AbstractNon-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli, such as Sphingomonas paucimobilis (S.paucimobilis), are among the most widespread causes of nosocomial infections. Up to now, no definitive guidelines exist for antimicrobial therapy for S. paucimobilis infections. As we have shown that some dietary fibers exhibit pronounced immune-regulatory properties, we hypothesized that specific immune active dietary fibers might modulate the responses against S. paucimobilis. We studied the immunomodulatory effects of dietary fibers against S. paucimobilis on cytokine release and maturation of human dendritic cells (DCs) in co-cultures of DCs and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). S. paucimobilis infection resulted in increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by DCs/IECs; these effects were strongly attenuated by specific dietary fibers. Chicory inulin, sugar beet pectin and both starches had the strongest regulatory effects. IL-12 and TNF-α were drastically diminished upon exposure to chicory inulin and sugar beet pectin, or both starches. High-maize 260, was more effective in the reduction of chemokine release than the others fibers tested. In summary, chicory inulin, sugar beet pectin, High-maize 260 and Novelose 330 attenuate S. paucimobilis-induced cytokines. These results demonstrate that dietary fibers with a specific chemical composition can be used to manage immune responses against pathogens such as S. paucimobilis.
Expression profiling and functional characterization of miR-192 throughout sheep skeletal muscle development
Authors: Zhao Qian , Kang Ye , Wang Hong-Yang , Guan Wei-Jun , Li Xiang-Chen , Jiang Lin , He Xiao-Hong , Pu Ya-Bin , Han Jian-Lin , Ma Yue-Hui , Zhao Qian-Jun 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved, small, non-coding RNAs that have emerged as key regulators of myogenesis. Here, we examined the miRNA expression profiles of developing sheep skeletal muscle using a deep sequencing approach. We detected 2,396 miRNAs in the sheep skeletal muscle tissues. Of these, miR-192 was found to be up-regulated in prenatal skeletal muscle, but was down-regulated postnatally. MiR-192 expression also decreased during the myogenic differentiation of sheep satellite cells (SCs). MiR-192 overexpression significantly attenuated SCs myogenic differentiation but promoted SCs proliferation, whereas miR-192 inhibition enhanced SCs differentiation but suppressed SCs proliferation. We found that miR-192 targeted retinoblastoma 1 (RB1), a known regulator of myogenesis. Furthermore, knockdown of RB1 in cultured cells significantly inhibited SCs myogenic differentiation but accelerated SCs proliferation, confirming the role of RB1 in myogenesis. Taken together, our findings enrich the ovine miRNA database and outline the miRNA transcriptome of sheep during skeletal muscle development. Moreover, we show that miR-192 affects SCs proliferation and myogenic differentiation via down-regulation of RB1.
Reduced insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling decreases translation in Drosophila and mice
Authors: Essers Paul , Tain Luke S. , Nespital Tobias , Goncalves Joana , Froehlich Jenny , Partridge Linda 
Published: July 2016

AbstractDown-regulation of insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) can increase lifespan in C. elegans, Drosophila and mice. In C. elegans, reduced IIS results in down-regulation of translation, which itself can extend lifespan. However, the effect of reduced IIS on translation has yet to be determined in other multicellular organisms. Using two long-lived IIS models, namely Drosophila lacking three insulin-like peptides (dilp2-3,5−/−) and mice lacking insulin receptor substrate 1 (Irs1−/−) and two independent translation assays, polysome profiling and radiolabeled amino acid incorporation, we show that reduced IIS lowers translation in these organisms. In Drosophila, reduced IIS decreased polysome levels in fat body and gut, but reduced the rate of protein synthesis only in the fat body. Reduced IIS in mice decreased protein synthesis rate only in skeletal muscle, without reducing polysomes in any tissue. This lowered translation in muscle was independent of Irs1 loss in the muscle itself, but a secondary effect of Irs1 loss in the liver. In conclusion, down-regulation of translation is an evolutionarily conserved response to reduced IIS, but the tissues in which it occurs can vary between organisms. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying lowered translation may differ in mice, possibly associated with the complexity of the regulatory processes.
Quantifying accessibility and use of improved sanitation: towards a comprehensive indicator of the need for sanitation interventions
Authors: Park M. J. , Clements A. C. A. , Gray D. J. , Sadler R. , Laksono B. , Stewart D. E. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractTo prevent diseases associated with inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene, people needing latrines and behavioural interventions must be identified. We compared two indicators that could be used to identify those people. Indicator 1 of household latrine coverage was a simple Yes/No response to the question “Does your household have a latrine?” Indicator 2 was more comprehensive, combining questions about defecation behaviour with observations of latrine conditions. Using a standardized procedure and questionnaire, trained research assistants collected data from 6,599 residents of 16 rural villages in Indonesia. Indicator 1 identified 30.3% as not having a household latrine, while Indicator 2 identified 56.0% as using unimproved sanitation. Indicator 2 thus identified an additional 1,710 people who were missed by Indicator 1. Those 1,710 people were of lower socioeconomic status (p < 0.001), and a smaller percentage practiced appropriate hand-washing (p < 0.02). These results show how a good indicator of need for sanitation and hygiene interventions can combine evidences of both access and use, from self-reports and objective observation. Such an indicator can inform decisions about sanitation-related interventions and about scaling deworming programmes up or down. Further, a comprehensive and locally relevant indicator allows improved targeting to those most in need of a hygiene-behaviour intervention.
Oral CoQ10 attenuates high salt-induced hypertension by restoring neurotransmitters and cytokines in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus
Authors: Gao Hong-Li , Yu Xiao-Jing , Qi Jie , Yi Qiu-Yue , Jing Wang-Hui , Sun Wen-Yan , Cui Wei , Mu Jian-Jun , Yuan Zu-Yi , Zhao Xiu-Fang , Liu Kai-Li , Zhu Guo-Qing , Shi Xiao-Lian , Liu Jin-Jun , Kang Yu-Ming 
Published: July 2016

AbstractHigh salt intake leads to an increase in some proinflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitters involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The purpose of this work was to know if oral administration of anti-oxidant and free-radical scavenger CoQ10 may attenuate high salt-induced hypertension via regulating neurotransmitters and cytokines in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed with a normal salt diet (NS, 0.3% NaCl) or a high salt diet (HS, 8% NaCl) for 15 weeks to induce hypertension. These rats received CoQ10 (10 mg/kg/day) dissolved in olive oil was given by gavage (10 mg/kg/day) for 15 weeks. HS resulted in higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). These HS rats had higher PVN levels of norepinephrine (NE), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), interleukin (IL)-1β, NOX2 and NOX4, lower PVN levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), IL-10, copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and the 67-kDa isoform of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD67), as compared with NS group. CoQ10 supplementation reduced NE, TH, IL-1β, NOX2 and NOX4 in the PVN and induced IL-10, Cu/Zn-SOD and GAD67 in the PVN. These findings suggest that CoQ10 supplementation restores neurotransmitters and cytokines in the PVN, thereby attenuating high salt-induced hypertension.
Clade-level Spatial Modelling of HPAI H5N1 Dynamics in the Mekong Region Reveals New Patterns and Associations with Agro-Ecological Factors
Authors: Artois Jean , Newman Scott H. , Dhingra Madhur S. , Chaiban Celia , Linard Catherine , Cattoli Giovanni , Monne Isabella , Fusaro Alice , Xenarios Ioannis , Engler Robin , Liechti Robin , Kuznetsov Dmitri , Pham Thanh Long , Nguyen Tung , Pham Van Dong , Castellan David , Von Dobschuetz Sophie , Claes Filip , Dauphin Gwenaëlle , Inui Ken , Gilbert Marius 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus has been circulating in Asia since 2003 and diversified into several genetic lineages, or clades. Although the spatial distribution of its outbreaks was extensively studied, differences in clades were never previously taken into account. We developed models to quantify associations over time and space between different HPAI H5N1 viruses from clade 1, 2.3.4 and 2.3.2 and agro-ecological factors. We found that the distribution of clades in the Mekong region from 2004 to 2013 was strongly regionalised, defining specific epidemiological zones, or epizones. Clade 1 became entrenched in the Mekong Delta and was not supplanted by newer clades, in association with a relatively higher presence of domestic ducks. In contrast, two new clades were introduced (2.3.4 and 2.3.2) in northern Viet Nam and were associated with higher chicken density and more intensive chicken production systems. We suggest that differences in poultry production systems in these different epizones may explain these associations, along with differences in introduction pressure from neighbouring countries. The different distribution patterns found at the clade level would not be otherwise apparent through analysis treating all outbreaks equally, which requires improved linking of disease outbreak records and genetic sequence data.
The therapeutic effect of bevacizumab on plaque neovascularization in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis during contrast-enhanced ultrasonography
Authors: Li Yang , Zhu Ying , Deng Youbin , Liu Yani , Mao Yuhang , Wang Junli , Sun Jie 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to assess the therapeutic effect of the angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab on plaques of various stages in rabbit models using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). Abdominal aortic atherosclerosis was induced in 55 rabbits. Thirty-six randomly selected rabbits were divided into 2 groups according to the timing of the bevacizumab injection: an early-stage plaque group (Group ESP) and a later-stage plaque group (Group LSP). The remainder were considered the control group. Standard ultrasonography and CEUS imaging of the abdominal aorta were performed. The animals were euthanized after CEUS and plaque specimens were harvested for histological staining of CD31. The control group exhibited a substantially higher enhanced intensity, a higher ratio of enhanced intensity in the plaque to that in the lumen and an increased number of CD31-positive microvessels in the plaque sections than Groups ESP and LSP (P < 0.05 for all). A higher enhanced intensity (P = 0.044), a higher ratio of enhanced intensity in the plaque to that in the lumen (P = 0.023) and more CD31-positive microvessels in the plaque sections (P = 0.006) were found in Group LSP than in Group ESP. Bevacizumab demonstrated more advanced inhibition of neovascularization in early-stage plaques in rabbits.
Skilled musicians are not subject to the McGurk effect
Authors: Proverbio Alice M. , Massetti Gemma , Rizzi Ezia , Zani Alberto 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe McGurk effect is a compelling illusion in which humans auditorily perceive mismatched audiovisual speech as a completely different syllable. In this study evidences are provided that professional musicians are not subject to this illusion, possibly because of their finer auditory or attentional abilities. 80 healthy age-matched graduate students volunteered to the study. 40 were musicians of Brescia Luca Marenzio Conservatory of Music with at least 8–13 years of musical academic studies. /la/, /da/, /ta/, /ga/, /ka/, /na/, /ba/, /pa/ phonemes were presented to participants in audiovisual congruent and incongruent conditions, or in unimodal (only visual or only auditory) conditions while engaged in syllable recognition tasks. Overall musicians showed no significant McGurk effect for any of the phonemes. Controls showed a marked McGurk effect for several phonemes (including alveolar-nasal, velar-occlusive and bilabial ones). The results indicate that the early and intensive musical training might affect the way the auditory cortex process phonetic information.
Cascading failure model in power grids using the complex network theory
Authors: Wenli Fan , Zhigang Liu , Ping Hu , Shengwei Mei 
Published: July 2016

The massive power flow transferring triggers the node overload cascade, which further activates the protection system hidden failures. In this study, we propose a cascading failure model based on complex network theory by combining the node overload failures and hidden failures of transmission lines in blackouts together. The model concerns the electrical characteristics, which has not been involved in the existed cascading failure model when modelling node loads. The cascading failure simulations on the 500 kV Center China power grid and the IEEE‐300‐bus test system demonstrate that the proposed cascading failure model with node load built on electrical characteristics can bring better network invulnerability than the model with that constructed on pure structure topology. Meanwhile, the proposed model can better exhibit the negative aspects of hidden failures in the blackouts. The deliberate attacks based on high‐risk nodes can decrease the invulnerability of power grids more seriously compared with those based on high‐degree and high‐load nodes. The results provide a new way to analyse the power grid cascading failure mechanism based on the complex network theory.
Laparoscopic Repair for Perforated Peptic Ulcer in Children
Authors: Dassonville Martine , Steyaert Henri , Reusens Helena 
Published: July 2016

Introduction A perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) is a rare but major complication of gastroduodenal peptic ulcer disease. Literature is scarce on this subject in the pediatric population and most articles describe a surgical treatment by laparotomy. We aim to review all our cases of pediatric PPU treated over the past 16 years and compare these to literature to deduce potential benefits and disadvantages regarding laparoscopic treatment of PPU in children.
Materials and Methods A retrospective study of all cases of PPU treated at the Lenval Hospital in Nice (France) and the Queen Fabiola University Hospital for Children in Brussels (Belgium) between 1998 and 2015 was performed.
Results A total of five children were treated for PPU (2 females). The average age was 11 years (range, 3–17). All of them were surgically treated with laparoscopic simple suture of the perforation and placement of an omental patch. There were no mortalities, no conversions, and no extra-abdominal complications or wound dehiscences. Mean operating time was 78.6 minutes (range, 70–115 minutes). Mean duration of intravenous treatment was 6 days (range, 4–12 days). One reintervention was performed for abdominal infection. In one patient, an abdominal drain was left in place for 2 days. The mean time before refeeding was 3.4 days (range, 3–4 days) and mean length of stay was 12 days (range, 7–30 days).
Conclusion Laparoscopic repair is safe and feasible for PPU and should be the gold standard for treatment of PPU in children.
Descemet-Membran-Endothelkeratoplastik (DMEK)
Authors: Luft N. , Dirisamer M. , Priglinger S. 
Published: July 2016

ZusammenfassungDie Descemet-Membran-Endothelkeratoplastik (DMEK) stellt den Goldstandard in der Therapie von isolierten Erkrankungen des Hornhautendothels dar, allen voran der Fuchs-Endotheldystrophie. Durch ihre überlegenen Visusergebnisse und aufgrund der niedrigeren und weiter sinkenden Komplikationsrate macht sie der weltweit etablierten Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) den Rang streitig. Die Etablierung einer standardisierten und reproduzierbaren DMEK-Methode und Fortschritte im Bereich der Spendergewebspräparation ebnen den Weg für viele Chirurgen, sich diese spannende und zugleich fordernde Operationstechnik anzueignen. Ein umfassender Blick in die Literatur zeigt, dass es gewisse verbleibende Herausforderungen der Methode zu adressieren gilt. Beispielsweise stellt die Transplantatablösung die häufigste Komplikation der DMEK dar. Es bedarf zukünftig großer prospektiv-randomisierter Studien, um die Vorteile der DMEK-Methode gegenüber alternativen lamellären Keratoplastiktechniken zu untermauern und verbleibende Problembereiche zu beleuchten.
An economic assessment of genomics research and development initiative projects in forestry.
Authors: Porth I. , Bull G. Q. , Cool J. , Gelinas N. , Griess V. C. 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
The field of forest genomics is rapidly expanding, and many new potential uses of the genetic information gained are being developed. Some of these uses are primarily economic in nature, such as increasing the growth rate of trees and increasing yields for woody biomass, or producing trees with more desirable physiological or wood characteristics. Other uses are additionally advantageous to ecological or social goals, such as pest resistant trees that can withstand the effects of insects or diseases. Yet, to date, no forest products company in Canada has embraced forest genomics into mainstream business activity. This could be due to a number of factors: the lack of familiarity with genomics tools, the lack of expertise to assess genomics within the industry, the costs of applying genomics techniques in tree breeding, the lack of evidence of industrial benefits and the lack of commercialization potential. Here, we conducted an economic assessment of seven forest genomics research projects in Canada, including value judgements on the potential of commercialization and research application. The outcome of our work allowed us to (1) categorize the projects by type including the description of the economic frameworks, (2) undertake an economic assessment of each of these projects, using qualitative and quantitative (if available) information and (3) provide advice and a value judgement on the necessary micro-level economic conditions for application and commercial success.
Dermocystidium sp. Infection in Blue Ridge Sculpin Captured in Maryland
Authors: Blazer Vicki S. , Hitt Nathaniel P. , Snyder Craig D. , Snook Erin L. , Adams Cynthia R. 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
Raised pale cysts were observed on Blue Ridge Sculpin Cottus caeruleomentum during stream fish community surveys in Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland. When examined histologically, preserved sculpin exhibited multiple cysts containing spherical endospores with a refractile central body characteristic of Dermocystidium spp. Cysts were not observed on the gills or internally. The portion of the watershed in which affected sculpin were observed contained lower than expected numbers of sculpin, raising concerns about the population effects of this infection. A nearby stream lacked sculpin even though they are common in this region, further suggesting the possibility of regional effects. This is the first report of a Dermocystidium infecting any fish species in the eastern United States.
Received October 16, 2015; accepted February 14, 2016 Published online July 25, 2016
The effect of a major drainage divide on the gene flow of a semiaquatic carnivore, the Eurasian otter
Authors: Pagacz Stanisław 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMajor drainage divides (separating the water flow draining to different seas) may significantly affect the dispersal, distribution, and genetic structure of semiaquatic animals. Assessing this effect is important for the proper management of both endangered and invasive riparian species. Here, I determined the fine-scale impact of the drainage divide between the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea drainage basins on the genetic structure and dispersal of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in the Bieszczady Mountains (Poland and Slovakia). I investigated the genetic structure of the otter population and assessed 3 alternative dispersal models using 6 landscape genetics methods. The analyses were based on 48 individual genotypes obtained from 622 fecal and gland secretion samples collected in 2008–2011. Results indicate that the major drainage divide is not a barrier to gene flow for this population. This was established by analyses of population genetic structure and confirmed by analysis of the spatial distribution of samples originating from closely related individuals. In line with these findings, the best-supported dispersal model assumed that otters migrate through mountain passes, away from streams, thus revealing that they are able to cross a drainage divide. The genetic structure of the population studied exhibits an isolation-by-distance pattern; however, the locations of several repeatedly recorded or closely related individuals revealed the occurrence of long-distance movements. Confirmation of the high mobility of otters and their ability to cross a major drainage divide ridge suggest that landscape obstacles and discontinuity of river network are unlikely to stop otter dispersal, gene flow, and recolonization of new areas.
Transformation and model choice for RNA-seq co-expression analysis
Authors: Rau Andrea , Maugis-Rabusseau Cathy 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAlthough a large number of clustering algorithms have been proposed to identify groups of co-expressed genes from microarray data, the question of if and how such methods may be applied to RNA-seq data remains unaddressed. In this work, we investigate the use of data transformations in conjunction with Gaussian mixture models for RNA-seq co-expression analyses, as well as a penalized model selection criterion to select both an appropriate transformation and number of clusters present in the data. This approach has the advantage of accounting for per-cluster correlation structures among samples, which can be quite strong in RNA-seq data. In addition, it provides a rigorous statistical framework for parameter estimation, an objective assessment of data transformations and number of clusters, and the possibility of performing diagnostic checks on the quality and homogeneity of the identified clusters. We analyze four varied RNA-seq datasets to illustrate the use of transformations and model selection in conjunction with Gaussian mixture models. Finally, we propose an R package coseq (co-expression of RNA-seq data) to facilitate implementation and visualization of the recommended RNA-seq co-expression analyses.