bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do understorey or overstorey traits drive tree encroachment on a drained raised bog?
Authors: Jagodziński A. M. , Horodecki P. , Rawlik K. , Dyderski M. K. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

One of the most important threats to peatland ecosystems is drainage, resulting in encroachment of woody species. Our main aim was to check which features – overstorey or understorey vegetation – are more important for shaping the seedling bank of pioneer trees colonising peatlands (Pinus sylvestris and Betula pubescens). We hypothesised that tree stand parameters will be more important predictors of natural regeneration density than understorey vegetation parameters, and the former will be negatively correlated with species diversity and richness and also with functional richness and functional dispersion, which indicate a high level of habitat filtering.

The study was conducted in the ‘Zielone Bagna’ nature reserve (NW Poland). We assessed the structure of tree stands and natural regeneration (of B. pubescens and P. sylvestris) and vegetation species composition. Random forest and DCA were applied to assess relationships between variables studied.

Understorey vegetation traits affected tree seedling density (up to 0.5‐m height) more than tree stand traits. Density of older seedlings depended more on tree stand traits. We did not find statistically significant relationships between natural regeneration densities and functional diversity components, except for functional richness, which was positively correlated with density of the youngest tree seedlings.

Seedling densities were higher in plots with lower functional dispersion and functional divergence, which indicated that habitat filtering is more important than competition. Presence of an abundant seedling bank is crucial for the process of woody species encroachment on drained peatlands, thus its dynamics should be monitored in protected areas.
Why do people with dementia pretend to know the correct answer? A qualitative study on the behaviour of toritsukuroi to keep up appearances
Authors: Matsushita Masateru , Yatabe Yusuke , Koyama Asuka , Ueno Yukiko , Ijichi Daisuke , Ikezaki Hiroto , Hashimoto Mamoru , Furukawa Noboru , Ikeda Manabu 
Published: April 2017

Background
Toritsukuroi is a particular type of behaviour intended to save face or preserve appearances. Clinicians often observe toritsukuroi in people with dementia, but current knowledge about this behaviour is based on clinicians’ empirical knowledge rather than on observational studies. This study was designed to clarify which behaviours are related to toritsukuroi based on neuropsychological examinations.MethodsThe subjects were 91 outpatients with dementia. Verbal responses, with the exceptions of ‘I don't know’ and erroneous answers, were recorded by certificated clinical psychologists and analyzed by qualitative study procedures. A qualitative study was separately conducted by two researchers to identify themes and types of reactions. The themes found through content analysis were organized and labelled by a senior psychiatrist.ResultsAmong the patients, 41.8% verbally responded in way to ‘keep up appearances’. Six distinct thematic categories were identified through conventional content analysis: (i) refuting sudden questions; (ii) disclosing trait; (iii) disclosing experience; (iv) demonstrating slight hesitation; (v) appealing to indifference; and (vi) other.ConclusionsAll the responses that we defined as being toritsukuroi reflect a denial of acquired cognitive impairment. Further study is needed to clarify the association between toritsukuroi and either cognitive function or disease specificity.
Left ventricular biomechanics in professional football players
Authors: von Lueder T. G. , Hodt A. , Gjerdalen G. F. , Steine K. 
Published: April 2017

Chronic exercise induces adaptive changes of left ventricular (LV) ejection and filling capacities which may be detected by novel speckle‐tracking echocardiography (STE) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI)‐based techniques. A total of 103 consecutive male elite Norwegian soccer players and 46 age‐matched healthy controls underwent echocardiography at rest. STE was used to assess LV torsional mechanics and LV systolic longitudinal strain (LS). Diastolic function was evaluated by trans‐mitral blood flow, mitral annular velocities by TDI, and LV inflow propagation velocity by color M‐mode. Despite similar global LS, players displayed lower basal wall and higher apical wall LS values vs controls, resulting in an incremental base‐to‐apex gradient of LS. Color M‐mode and TDI‐derived data were similar in both groups. Peak systolic twist rate (TWR) was significantly lower in players (86.4±2.8 vs controls 101.9±5.2 deg/s, P<.01). Diastolic untwisting rate (UTWR) was higher in players (−124.5±4.2 vs −106.9±6.7 deg/s) and peaked earlier during the cardiac cycle (112.7±0.8 vs 117.4±2.4% of systole duration, both P<.05). Untwisting/twisting ratio (−1.48±0.05 vs −1.11±0.08; P<.001) and untwisting performance (=UTR/TW; −9.25±0.34 vs −7.38±0.40 s−1, P<.01) were increased in players. Augmented diastolic wall strain (DWS), a novel measure of LV compliance in players, was associated with improved myocardial mechanical efficiency. The described myocardial biomechanics may underlie augmented exertional cardiac function in athletes and may have a potential role to characterize athlete′s heart by itself or to distinguish it from hypertensive or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Hepatitis B virus sequencing and liver fibrosis evaluation in HIV/HBV co‐infected Nigerians
Authors: Grant Jennifer , Agbaji Oche , Kramvis Anna , Yousif Mukhlid , Auwal Mu'azu , Penugonda Sudhir , Ugoagwu Placid , Murphy Robert , Hawkins Claudia 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectivesMolecular characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV), such as genotype and genomic mutations, may contribute to liver‐related morbidity and mortality. The association of these characteristics with liver fibrosis severity in sub‐Saharan Africa is uncertain. We aimed to characterise molecular HBV features in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HBV co‐infected Nigerians and evaluate associations between these characteristics and liver fibrosis severity before and after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation.MethodsHIV/HBV co‐infected Nigerians underwent liver fibrosis estimation by transient elastography (TE) prior to and 36 months after ART initiation. Basal core promoter/precore (BCP/PC) and preS1/preS2/S regions of HBV were sequenced from baseline plasma samples. We evaluated associations between HBV mutations and liver fibrosis severity by univariate and multivariable regression.ResultsAt baseline, 94 patients underwent TE with median liver stiffness of 6.4 (IQR 4.7–8.7) kPa. Patients were predominantly infected with HBV genotype E (45/46) and HBe‐antigen negative (75/94, 79.8%). We identified BCP A1762T/G1764A in 15/35 (43%), PC G1896A in 20/35 (57%), ‘a’ determinant mutations in 12/45 (26.7%) and preS2 deletions in 6/16 (37.5%). PreS2 mutations were associated with advanced fibrosis in multivariable analysis. At follow‐up, median liver stiffness was 5.2 (IQR 4.1–6.6) kPa. No HBV molecular characteristics were associated with lack of fibrosis regression, although HIV virologic control, body mass index (BMI) and baseline CD4+ T‐cell count were associated with a decline in fibrosis stage.ConclusionFrequent BCP/PC and preS1/preS2/S mutations were found in ART‐naïve HIV/HBV co‐infected Nigerians. Median liver stiffness declined after initiation of ART, regardless of pre‐ART HBV mutational pattern or virologic characteristics.
Recommendations for designing and conducting veterinary clinical pathology biologic variation studies
Authors: Freeman Kathleen P. , Baral Randolph M. , Dhand Navneet K. , Nielsen Søren Saxmose , Jensen Asger L. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe recent creation of a veterinary clinical pathology biologic variation website has highlighted the need to provide recommendations for future studies of biologic variation in animals in order to help standardize and improve the quality of published information and to facilitate review and selection of publications as standard references. The following recommendations are provided in the format and order commonly found in veterinary publications. A checklist is provided to aid in planning, implementing, and evaluating veterinary studies on biologic variation (Appendix S1). These recommendations provide a valuable resource for clinicians, laboratorians, and researchers interested in conducting studies of biologic variation and in determining the quality of studies of biologic variation in veterinary laboratory testing.
A Virtual Laboratory Combined With Biometric Authentication and 3D Reconstruction
Authors: Zhang Zhou , Zhang Mingshao , Chang Yizhe , Esche Sven K. , Chassapis Constantin 
Published: April 2017

Virtual laboratories are used in professional skill development, online education, and corporate training. There are several aspects that determine the effectiveness and popularity of virtual laboratories: (i) the benefits brought to the users compared with those provided by traditional physical hands-on laboratories, (ii) the cost of adopting a virtual laboratory which includes the costs of creating the virtual environment and developing virtual experiments, and (iii) the operation which includes the communication between trainers and trainees, the authentication and remote proctoring of the trainees, etc. At present, the procedures of building and operating a virtual laboratory are still tedious, time-consuming and resource-intense, thus considerably limiting the potential applications and popularization of virtual laboratories.
In this paper, a virtual laboratory built and operated with 3D reconstruction and biometric authentication is introduced and an evaluation of the feasibility of the proposed approaches is presented.
3D reconstruction techniques are used to create the virtual environment of this virtual laboratory. The traditional tools used to survey the real world are replaced by a hand-held camera. Then, all of the information acquired by this hand-held camera is processed. Finally, the virtual environment of the virtual laboratory is generated automatically in real-time.
The biometric authentication techniques (here facial recognition techniques) are used to create a remote proctor. The general logic and basic algorithms used to enable biometric authentication and remote proctoring are described. When using this virtual laboratory, the students log in by capturing their face with a camera. While performing a laboratory exercise, they sit in front of the camera and the virtual laboratory system monitors their facial expressions and the motion of their head in order to identify suspicious behaviors. Upon detection of such suspicious behaviors, the system records a video for further analysis by the laboratory administrator.
Listeriolysin S Is a Streptolysin S-Like Virulence Factor That Targets Exclusively Prokaryotic CellsIn Vivo
Authors: Quereda Juan J. , Nahori Marie A. , Meza-Torres Jazmín , Sachse Martin , Titos-Jiménez Patricia , Gomez-Laguna Jaime , Dussurget Olivier , Cossart Pascale , Pizarro-Cerdá Javier 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTStreptolysin S (SLS)-like virulence factors from clinically relevant Gram-positive pathogens have been proposed to behave as potent cytotoxins, playing key roles in tissue infection. Listeriolysin S (LLS) is an SLS-like hemolysin/bacteriocin present amongListeria monocytogenesstrains responsible for human listeriosis outbreaks. As LLS cytotoxic activity has been associated with virulence, we investigated the LLS-specific contribution to host tissue infection. Surprisingly, we first show that LLS causes only weak red blood cell (RBC) hemolysisin vitroand neither confers resistance to phagocytic killing nor favors survival ofL. monocytogeneswithin the blood cells or in the extracellular space (in the plasma). We reveal that LLS does not elicit specific immune responses, is not cytotoxic for eukaryotic cells, and does not impact cell infection byL. monocytogenes. Usingin vitrocell infection systems and a murine intravenous infection model, we actually demonstrate that LLS expression is undetectable during infection of cells and murine inner organs. Importantly, upon intravenous animal inoculation,L. monocytogenesis found in the gastrointestinal system, and only in this environment LLS expression is detectedin vivo. Finally, we confirm that LLS production is associated with destruction of target bacteria. Our results demonstrate therefore that LLS does not contribute toL. monocytogenestissue injury and virulence in inner host organs as previously reported. Moreover, we describe that LlsB, a putative posttranslational modification enzyme encoded in the LLS operon, is necessary for murine inner organ colonization. Overall, we demonstrate that LLS is the first SLS-like virulence factor targeting exclusively prokaryotic cells duringin vivoinfections.IMPORTANCEThe most severe human listeriosis outbreaks are caused byL. monocytogenesstrains harboring listeriolysin S (LLS), previously described as a cytotoxin that plays a critical role in host inner tissue infection. Cytotoxic activities have been proposed as a general mode of action for streptolysin S (SLS)-like toxins, including clostridiolysin S and LLS. We now challenge this dogma by demonstrating that LLS does not contribute to virulencein vivoonce the intestinal barrier has been crossed. Importantly, we show that intravenousL. monocytogenesinoculation leads to bacterial translocation to the gastrointestinal system, where LLS is specifically expressed, targeting the host gut microbiota. Our study highlights the heterogeneous modes of action of SLS-like toxins, and we demonstrate for the first time a further level of complexity for SLS-like biosynthetic clusters as we reveal that the putative posttranslational modification enzyme LlsB is actually required for inner organ colonization, independently of the LLS activity.
Catabolism of the Last Two Steroid Rings in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and Other Bacteria
Authors: Crowe Adam M. , Casabon Israël , Brown Kirstin L. , Liu Jie , Lian Jennifer , Rogalski Jason C. , Hurst Timothy E. , Snieckus Victor , Foster Leonard J. , Eltis Lindsay D. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Most mycolic acid-containing actinobacteria and some proteobacteria use steroids as growth substrates, but the catabolism of the last two steroid rings has yet to be elucidated. In
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, this pathway includes virulence determinants and has been proposed to be encoded by the KstR2-regulated genes, which include a predicted coenzyme A (CoA) transferase gene (
ipdAB
) and an acyl-CoA reductase gene (
ipdC
). In the presence of cholesterol, Δ
ipdC
and Δ
ipdAB
mutants of either
M. tuberculosis
or
Rhodococcus jostii
strain RHA1 accumulated previously undescribed metabolites: 3aα-
H
-4α(carboxyl-CoA)-5-hydroxy-7aβ-methylhexahydro-1-indanone (5-OH HIC-CoA) and (
R
)-2-(2-carboxyethyl)-3-methyl-6-oxocyclohex-1-ene-1-carboxyl-CoA (COCHEA-CoA), respectively. A Δ
fadE32
mutant of
Mycobacterium smegmatis
accumulated 4-methyl-5-oxo-octanedioic acid (MOODA). Incubation of synthetic 5-OH HIC-CoA with purified IpdF, IpdC, and enoyl-CoA hydratase 20 (EchA20), a crotonase superfamily member, yielded COCHEA-CoA and, upon further incubation with IpdAB and a CoA thiolase, yielded MOODA-CoA. Based on these studies, we propose a pathway for the final steps of steroid catabolism in which the 5-member ring is hydrolyzed by EchA20, followed by hydrolysis of the 6-member ring by IpdAB. Metabolites accumulated by Δ
ipdF
and Δ
echA20
mutants support the model. The conservation of these genes in known steroid-degrading bacteria suggests that the pathway is shared. This pathway further predicts that cholesterol catabolism yields four propionyl-CoAs, four acetyl-CoAs, one pyruvate, and one succinyl-CoA. Finally, a Δ
ipdAB M. tuberculosis
mutant did not survive in macrophages and displayed severely depleted CoASH levels that correlated with a cholesterol-dependent toxicity. Our results together with the developed tools provide a basis for further elucidating bacterial steroid catabolism and virulence determinants in
M. tuberculosis.

IMPORTANCE
Bacteria are the only known steroid degraders, but the pathway responsible for degrading the last two steroid rings has yet to be elucidated. In
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, this pathway includes virulence determinants. Using a series of mutants in
M. tuberculosis
and related bacteria, we identified a number of novel CoA thioesters as pathway intermediates. Analysis of the metabolites combined with enzymological studies establishes how the last two steroid rings are hydrolytically opened by enzymes encoded by the KstR2 regulon. Our results provide experimental evidence for novel ring-degrading enzymes, significantly advance our understanding of bacterial steroid catabolism, and identify a previously uncharacterized cholesterol-dependent toxicity that may facilitate the development of novel tuberculosis therapeutics.
Topoisomerase II Inhibitors Induce DNA Damage-Dependent Interferon Responses Circumventing Ebola Virus Immune Evasion
Authors: Luthra Priya , Aguirre Sebastian , Yen Benjamin C. , Pietzsch Colette A. , Sanchez-Aparicio Maria T. , Tigabu Bersabeh , Morlock Lorraine K. , García-Sastre Adolfo , Leung Daisy W. , Williams Noelle S. , Fernandez-Sesma Ana , Bukreyev Alexander , Basler Christopher F. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Ebola virus (EBOV) protein VP35 inhibits production of interferon alpha/beta (IFN) by blocking RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathways, thereby promoting virus replication and pathogenesis. A high-throughput screening assay, developed to identify compounds that either inhibit or bypass VP35 IFN-antagonist function, identified five DNA intercalators as reproducible hits from a library of bioactive compounds. Four, including doxorubicin and daunorubicin, are anthracycline antibiotics that inhibit topoisomerase II and are used clinically as chemotherapeutic drugs. These compounds were demonstrated to induce IFN responses in an ATM kinase-dependent manner and to also trigger the DNA-sensing cGAS-STING pathway of IFN induction. These compounds also suppress EBOV replication
in vitro
and induce IFN in the presence of IFN-antagonist proteins from multiple negative-sense RNA viruses. These findings provide new insights into signaling pathways activated by important chemotherapy drugs and identify a novel therapeutic approach for IFN induction that may be exploited to inhibit RNA virus replication.

IMPORTANCE
Ebola virus and other emerging RNA viruses are significant but unpredictable public health threats. Therapeutic approaches with broad-spectrum activity could provide an attractive response to such infections. We describe a novel assay that can identify small molecules that overcome Ebola virus-encoded innate immune evasion mechanisms. This assay identified as hits cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, including doxorubicin. Follow-up studies provide new insight into how doxorubicin induces interferon (IFN) responses, revealing activation of both the DNA damage response kinase ATM and the DNA sensor cGAS and its partner signaling protein STING. The studies further demonstrate that the ATM and cGAS-STING pathways of IFN induction are a point of vulnerability not only for Ebola virus but for other RNA viruses as well, because viral innate immune antagonists consistently fail to block these signals. These studies thereby define a novel avenue for therapeutic intervention against emerging RNA viruses.
Translating the WHO 25×25 goals into a UK context: the PROMISE modelling study
Authors: Cobiac Linda J , Scarborough Peter 
Published: April 2017

ObjectiveModel the impact of targets for obesity, diabetes, raised blood pressure, tobacco use, salt intake, physical inactivity and harmful alcohol use, as outlined in the Global Non-Communicable Disease Action Plan 2013–2020, on mortality and morbidity in the UK population.DesignDynamic population modelling study.SettingUK population.ParticipantsNot available.Main outcome measuresMortality and morbidity (years lived with disability) from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that are averted or delayed. Probability of achieving a 25% reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025 (current WHO target) and a 33% reduction by 2030 (proposed target).ResultsThe largest improvements in mortality would be achieved by meeting the obesity target and the largest improvements in morbidity would be achieved by meeting the diabetes target. The UK could achieve the 2025 and 2030 targets for reducing premature mortality with only a little additional preventive effort compared with current practice. Achieving all 7 risk targets could avert a total of 300 000 deaths (95% uncertainty interval 250 000 to 350 000) and 1.3 million years lived with disability (1.2–1.4 million) from NCDs by 2025, with the majority of health gains due to reduced mortality and morbidity from heart disease and stroke, and reduced morbidity from diabetes. Potential reductions in morbidity from depression and in morbidity and mortality from dementia at older ages are also substantial.ConclusionsThe global premature mortality targets are a potentially achievable goal for countries such as the UK that can capitalise on many decades of effort in prevention and treatment. High morbidity diseases and diseases in later life are not addressed in the Global NCD Action Plan and targets, but must also be considered a priority for prevention in the UK where the population is ageing and the costs of health and social care are rising.
Does a brief, behavioural intervention, delivered by paediatricians or psychologists improve sleep problems for children with ADHD? Protocol for a cluster-randomised, translational trial
Authors: Sciberras E , Mulraney M , Heussler H , Rinehart N , Schuster T , Gold L , Hayes N , Hiscock H 
Published: April 2017

IntroductionUp to 70% of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience sleep problems. We have demonstrated the efficacy of a brief behavioural intervention for children with ADHD in a large randomised controlled trial (RCT) and now aim to examine whether this intervention is effective in real-life clinical settings when delivered by paediatricians or psychologists. We will also assess the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.Methods and analysisChildren aged 5–12 years with ADHD (n=320) are being recruited for this translational cluster RCT through paediatrician practices in Victoria and Queensland, Australia. Children are eligible if they meet criteria for ADHD, have a moderate/severe sleep problem and meet American Academy of Sleep Medicine criteria for either chronic insomnia disorder or delayed sleep–wake phase disorder; or are experiencing sleep-related anxiety. Clinicians are randomly allocated at the level of the paediatrician to either receive the sleep training or not. The behavioural intervention comprises 2 consultations covering sleep hygiene and standardised behavioural strategies. The primary outcome is change in the proportion of children with moderate/severe sleep problems from moderate/severe to no/mild by parent report at 3 months postintervention. Secondary outcomes include a range of child (eg, sleep severity, ADHD symptoms, quality of life, behaviour, working memory, executive functioning, learning, academic achievement) and primary caregiver (mental health, parenting, work attendance) measures. Analyses will address clustering at the level of the paediatrician using linear mixed effect models adjusting for potential a priori confounding variables.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been granted. Findings will determine whether the benefits of an efficacy trial can be realised more broadly at the population level and will inform the development of clinical guidelines for managing sleep problems in this population. We will seek to publish in leading international paediatric journals, present at major conferences and through established clinician networks.Trial registration numberISRCTN50834814, Pre-results.