bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selective sweep of Wolbachia and parthenogenetic host genomes – the example of the weevil Eusomus ovulum
Authors: Mazur M. A. , Holecová M. , Lachowska‐Cierlik D. , Lis A. , Kubisz D. , Kajtoch Ł. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMost parthenogenetic weevil species are postulated to have originated via hybridization, but Wolbachia has also been speculated to play a role via the induction of parthenogenesis. Here, we examine the molecular diversity of Wolbachia and parthenogenetic host genomes. The host species studied here, Eusomus ovulum, is known to be exclusively parthenogenetic and triploid. The E. ovulum populations that we examined had a low genetic diversity of mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I gene) and nuclear markers (internal transcribed spacer 2 and elongation factor 1‐α gene), and they all were infected by only single bacteria strains (genotyped for five genes according to the multilocus sequence typing system). We found significant signs of linkage disequilibrium and a lack of recombination amongst all of the examined genomes (bacteria and host), which strongly indicates a selective sweep. The lack of heterozygosity in host nuclear genes, missing bisexual populations and selective sweep between the parthenogenetic host and bacteria genomes suggest that parthenogenesis in this species could have originated as a result of infection rather than hybridization. However, the finding that highly similar Wolbachia strains are also present in other parthenogenetic weevils from the same habitat suggests the opposite scenario: bacteria may have infected the already parthenogenetic lineage and taken advantage of the host's unisexual reproduction.
Prevalence and pattern of early childhood caries in a rural South Indian population evaluated by ICDAS with suggestions for enhancement of ICDAS software tool
Authors: Henry Jean Aishwarya , Muthu Murugan Satta , Saikia Ankita , Asaithambi Balamurugan , Swaminathan Kavitha 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundEarly Childhood Caries (ECC) continues to be the most common public health issue in developing countries.AimThe purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of ECC in 0‐ to 3‐year‐old children from rural areas of South India, using the ICDAS.DesignA cross‐sectional study was carried out with 1486 children aged 0–3 years in South India. Two calibrated examiners performed the oral examinations using International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) criteria. Data analysis involved the use of the new ICDAS epidemiological software tool.ResultsPrevalence of ECC in studied child population was 40.6%. Among the 604 children with ECC, only non‐cavitated teeth were present in 314 children, and only cavitated teeth were present in 84 children. The remaining 206 children had both cavitated and non‐cavitated teeth. Interesting lesion behavior was observed in 27 children, who had enamel lesions in mandibular canines only, in an otherwise sound dentition. On examining the teeth surfaces affected (n = 102,274), 50.3% had non‐cavitated surfaces and 49.7% had cavitated surfaces.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate the high prevalence of ECC in this population and the need to consider early diagnosis and specific preventive interventions. The authors of this study have also addressed their views about the use of ICDAS software tool.
Treatment of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma – a systematic review
Authors: Miguel D. , Lukacs J. , Illing T. , Elsner P. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractNecrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) is an uncommon non‐Langerhans cell histiocytosis involving skin and extracutaneous tissues. The lesions are usually asymptomatic and commonly appear in the periorbital area. Paraproteinemia is closely associated with NXG and its pathogenesis remains unclear. NXG prognosis is poor with several treatments showing variable results. Treatment of monoclonal gammopathy with alkylating agents does not necessarily influence the activity of the skin disease and vice versa. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize all reported treatments of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma of the skin, with or without underlying malignant condition and based on articles from the PubMed database using the query ‘necrobiotic xanthogranuloma treatment’, both in English and German, about ‘human’ subjects and published between 1980 and 2014, documenting adequate treatment for NXG. Mainly individual case reports, small case series and retrospective studies were found. Treatment options include topical and systemic corticosteroids, thalidomide, high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, rituximab, melphalan, infliximab, interferon alpha, cladribine, hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine, methotrexate, laser therapy, radiotherapy, surgery, PUVA, plasmapheresis and extracorporeal photopheresis. Randomized controlled trials and studies on long‐term outcomes after treatment were not found and are necessary to focus on in the future.
Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin and cystatin C in cirrhosis and portal hypertension: Relations to organ extraction and dysfunction
Authors: Hurry Preete Kapisha , Poulsen Jørgen Hjelm , Bendtsen Flemming , Møller Søren 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackground and AimsEarly detection of renal dysfunction in cirrhosis is important, and several renal biomarkers have been put forward. Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C are markers of renal dysfunction, but relations to splanchnic and systemic hemodynamics and kinetics are sparsely studied in cirrhosis.In patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, we studied plasma levels and renal, hepatic, and peripheral extraction of NGAL and cystatin C and relations to patients characteristics, liver dysfunction, and hemodynamics.MethodsForty‐five cirrhotic patients (Child class A/B/C:15/15/15) and 15 controls were evaluated with a full clinical, biochemical, and hemodynamic assessment. Urine and regional plasma concentrations of NGAL and cystatin C were measured.ResultsThere was no significant difference in circulating or hepatic NGAL or cystatin C between all patients and controls but a trend towards increased levels with increasing Child class. In addition, there was a significant renal but no hepatic or systemic extraction of both NGAL and cystatin C (P < 0.001).Plasma NGAL correlated with glomerular filtration rate (r = −0.56, P < 0.0001), and hepatic venous pressure gradient (r = 0.34,P = 0.02) and urinary NGAL correlated with heart rate (r = 0.58, P= 0.007), blood pressure (r = −0.46, P < 0.05), cardiac output (r = 0.45, P < 0.05), and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (r = −0.48, p < 0.05). Plasma cystatin C correlated with hepatic venous pressure gradient (r = 0.45, P < 0.005), blood pressure (−0.40, P < 0.01), and glomerular filtration rate (r = 0.98, P < 0.000).ConclusionsExtractions of NGAL and cystatin C levels seem largely unaffected by the severity of liver disease in cirrhosis with a renal extraction. These biomarkers therefore have the potential of being both valuable in diagnosing renal failure and reflecting the degree of portal hypertension and systemic haemodynamic changes.
High‐dose nifuratel for simple and mixed aerobic vaginitis: A single‐center prospective open‐label cohort study
Authors: Liang Qian , Li Nan , Song Shurong , Zhang Aihua , Li Ni , Duan Ying 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimThe efficacy and safety of two nifuratel dosages for the treatment of aerobic vaginitis (AV) were compared.MethodsThis was a prospective open‐label cohort study of patients diagnosed and treated at the Tianjin Third Central Hospital between January 2012 and December 2013. The co‐presence of bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), or/and trichomonal vaginitis (TV; mixed AV) was determined. Patients were randomized to nifuratel‐500 (500 mg nifuratel, intravaginal, 10 days) or nifuratel‐250 (250 mg nifuratel, intravaginal, 10 days), and followed‐up for three to seven days after treatment completion. Primary and secondary outcomes were recovery rate and adverse events, respectively.ResultsThe study included 142 patients with AV. Age was not significantly different between the groups (n = 71 each), and disease distribution was identical: 29 (40.85%) simple AV and 42 (59.15%) mixed AV (AV + BV, 42.86 %; AV + VVC, 30.95%; AV + TV, 26.19%). In patients with simple AV, the recovery rate did not differ significantly between the nifuratel‐500 (26/29, 89.66%) and nifuratel‐250 (22/29, 75.86%) groups. In patients with mixed AV, recovery rates were significantly higher in the nifuratel‐500 than in the nifuratel‐250 group (AV + BV, 88.89% vs 50.00 %; AV + VVC, 76.92 % vs 30.77 %; AV + TV, 90.91 % vs 36.36%; all P < 0.05). Only one patient (nifuratel‐500) reported an adverse event (mild anaphylactic reaction).ConclusionNifuratel 500 mg showed good clinical efficacy for the treatment of AV, particularly mixed AV, and is superior to the 250 mg dosage in the treatment of mixed AV.
Effect of a probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum TN8 strain on trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid‐induced colitis in rats
Authors: Trabelsi I. , Ktari N. , Ben Slima S. , Hamden K. , Ben Salah R. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryThis study aimed to investigate the potential effects of an oral treatment by a newly isolated probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum TN8 strain on trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)‐induced colitis in Wistar rats. Thus, 18 rats were divided into three groups (n = 6 per group): group 1 (control) – rats not receiving TNBS application; group 2 – rats receiving an intrarectal TNBS infusion (100 mg/kg TNBS dissolved in ethanol); and group 3 – rats treated with intragastrical TN8 strain once per day (for 5 days before TNBS induction). The performance and the effects of the probiotic treatment were evaluated using a series of histological, biophysical and biochemical analyses. The results have shown that the treatment with the L. plantarum TN8 strain improves the body weight and reduces the diarrhoea, colonic mucosal inflammation and colon shortening. TN8‐treated rats showed a significant decrease in the total cholesterol content from 1.86 (for group 2) to 1.32 mmol/l and in triglyceride (TG) content from 2.09 (for group 2) to 1.23 mmol/l. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol contents increased from 0.95 to 1.02 mmol/l. The histological studies have confirmed that the architecture of the liver and kidney tissues of the TN8‐treated rats were found to be improved. Overall, the results suggest that the L. plantarum TN8 presents promising perspectives for the development of safe and cost‐effective agents for the prevention or alleviation of several intestinal pathologies.
Effect of natural brood size variability on growth and survival of thornbird nestlings
Authors: Saravia‐Pietropaolo M. J. , Manzoli D. E. , Antoniazzi L. R. , Quiroga M. A. , Beldomenico P. M. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractFor many bird species, brood size is a highly variable trait. Several aspects of the development and survival of nestlings are affected by brood size. Most scientific evidence comes from brood manipulation experiments, and the complementary information offered by studies of natural variability has received little attention in tropical and subtropical species. Here, we provide data on the effect of brood size on the development and survival of two furnariid species under natural conditions. Weekly during two breeding seasons, two forest patches (40 ha. each) from central Argentina, were exhaustively examined for active nests. Nestlings were monitored repeatedly from hatching to fledging. Factors that were considered potential confounders or effect modifiers were also recorded and included in the statistical analysis. We found a positive effect of brood size on growth, and a negative effect on survival. The first effect was only observed when preceding weeks were not rainy, and the latter was present in only one breeding season, so both effects appeared to depend on environmental conditions. Our results suggest that the benefit of a large or small brood size is dependent on context. In the studied populations, plasticity in or within‐population genetic diversity in brood size may be advantageous in the light of the unpredictable circumstances that will prevail during the breeding season.
Impact of Living at the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition Base on Urinary Status
Authors: IKEDA Atsushi , KAWAI Koji , TSUTSUMI Masakazu , YOSHIMURA Koji , OHNO Giichiro , HASEGAWA Tatsuhisa , OOE Hirofumi , WATANABE Kentaro , MIYAZAKI Jun , NISHIYAMA Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2016

ObjectivesUrinary disorders are generally well understood, but there are few reports on the urinary status of people living in unusual climates such as the polar regions. We studied the impact of living conditions on the urinary status of members of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition.MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 12 consenting members of the wintering party stationed at the Syowa Station in Antarctica between November 2012 and March 2014. The subjects completed questionnaires (the International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS], Overactive Bladder Syndrome Score [OABSS] and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]) and kept daily voiding dairies for 3 days consecutively every 2 months.ResultsCompared with baseline values, the mean scores on all the questionnaires decreased during the stay in Antarctica, from 3.42 to 2.31 for the IPSS, 1.25 to 0.986 for the OABSS, and 4.58 to 3.78 on the PSQI. A significant difference was noted in the scores of seven subjects with a 3 point or more decrease in IPSS score and five members with a decrease less than 3 points (−2.22 vs 0.448, P = 0.0416).ConclusionThis is the first survey of the urinary status of people living in a polar environment. The findings obtained by questionnaires and voiding dairies indicated that urination and sleep status did not worsen during the stay in Antarctica.
Association Between Ambient Temperature and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Hospital‐Based Cross‐Sectional Analysis
Authors: SHIM Sung Ryul , KIM Jae Heon , DOO Seung Whan , YANG Won Jae , SONG Eun Seop , SONG Yun Seob 
Published: July 2016

ObjectivesTo date, there is no overall agreement as to risk of ambient temperature for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Thus, we focused on ambient temperature as an environmental factor affecting LUTS and attempted to explain the temperature differences in LUTS severity in cases in real clinical practice.MethodsThis was a multicenter, cross‐sectional survey. The study involved 1612 men aged 40 years and older who visited 23 university hospitals in 10 major areas in South Korea between September 2010 and December 2011. The participants who had good overall mental and physical health, and complaint of LUTS were included. Korea Meteorological Administration data were used to determine daily average temperatures and daily temperatures on the interview dates at each site.ResultsThe average age of the 1612 men was 66.57 ± 10.03 years. The mean International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and symptom duration were 18.51 ± 6.77 and 3.79 ± 3.89 years, respectively. Daily average temperature and temperature difference ranged from −13.1 to 28.5 °C and 0 to 20.6 °C, respectively. Age was a significant risk factor for IPSS, symptom duration, prostate volume (PV), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), average urinary flow rate (Qave) and total voiding volume (P < 0.001) but not QOL. Logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age and PV revealed that Qave and total voiding volume were increased as the temperature declined. However, IPSS and Qmax did not show a statistically significant difference as the temperature declined.ConclusionOur findings did not demonstrate an increased clinically significant risk of LUTS severity in connection with ambient temperature in clinical practice.
Brief cognitive behavioural intervention for depression and anxiety symptoms improves quality of life in chronic haemodialysis patients
Authors: Lerma Abel , Perez‐Grovas Héctor , Bermudez Luis , Peralta‐Pedrero María L. , Robles‐García Rebeca , Lerma Claudia 
Published: July 2016

ObjectivesPsychological treatment of depression in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) has focused on severely depressed patients. We designed and tested a brief (5 weeks) cognitive behavioural intervention (CBI) to reduce mild and moderate depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with ESRD.DesignFor the purpose of this study, a single‐blind, randomized controlled design was used to compare patients with ESRD under haemodialysis treatment with and without the CBI.MethodsDepression and anxiety symptoms were screened in 152 subjects (18–60 years old, 84 male). Sixty participants (age 41.8 ± 14.7, 29 males) with mild or moderate scores of depression (Beck Depression Inventory) and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory) were randomly assigned to CBI or the control group. CBI techniques consisted of positive self‐reinforcement, deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and cognitive restructuring. Depression, anxiety, quality of life (QoL), and cognitive distortion scores were evaluated at baseline, after 5 weeks (end of treatment) and after 4‐week follow‐up. All scores were compared by ANOVA for repeated measures with post‐hoc tests adjusted by Bonferroni's method (p < .05 was considered significant).ResultsAt follow‐up, depression, anxiety, and cognitive distortions had decreased, and QoL had increased in the intervention group, and there were no changes in the control group. Clinical utility was 33% for depression and 43% for anxiety.ConclusionsA brief CBI of 5 weeks is effective for decreasing mild or moderate depression and anxiety symptoms and improving QoL in ESRD haemodialysis patients.Practitioner points

A brief, systematic and structured cognitive behavioural intervention (CBI) decreases anxiety and depression symptoms and improves quality of life in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) who are being treated with haemodialysis. These benefits are not achieved when anxiety and depression symptoms are identified but not treated psychologically.

This CBI consisted of cognitive restructuring of the distorted thoughts (perfectionism, catastrophic thinking, negative self‐labelling, and dichotomous thinking) that are correlated with depression and anxiety symptoms and that can be assessed by a validated questionnaire designed for patients with ESRD.

The handbooks that were developed for this study are structured and systematic. They could be valuable in supporting the efforts and participation of non‐specialized health professionals in CBI such as nurses, physicians, social workers, and psychologists, raising the possibility of further application in a variety of clinical populations. Both the therapy and the client workbooks are available in Spanish upon request.
The effects of works councils on overtime hours
Authors: Gralla Rafael , Kraft Kornelius , Volgushev Stanislav 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis study analyzes the relation between works councils and overtime hours in Germany. The estimated effects differ considerably in dependence of standard contracted working time. Furthermore, we find differences across the quantiles of the overtime hours distribution and these differences between quantiles also vary between employees of establishment with and without works councils. By considering contracted working time effects and comparing conditional quantiles we find in some quantiles that employees of establishments with a works council have a higher amount of overtime hours if an employee regularly works 35 hours per week. This effect diminishes with increasing quantiles of the distribution of overtime hours. If an employee of a codetermined establishment regularly works 40 hours per week, overtime hours are reduced. This reduction becomes larger if higher quantiles are analyzed.
Energy Taxis toward Host-Derived Nitrate Supports a
Salmonella
Pathogenicity Island 1-Independent Mechanism of Invasion
Authors: Rivera-Chávez Fabian , Lopez Christopher A. , Zhang Lillian F. , García-Pastor Lucía , Chávez-Arroyo Alfredo , Lokken Kristen L. , Tsolis Renée M. , Winter Sebastian E. , Bäumler Andreas J. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium can cross the epithelial barrier using either the invasion-associated type III secretion system (T3SS-1) or a T3SS-1-independent mechanism that remains poorly characterized. Here we show that flagellum-mediated motility supported a T3SS-1-independent pathway for entering ileal Peyer’s patches in the mouse model. Flagellum-dependent invasion of Peyer’s patches required energy taxis toward nitrate, which was mediated by the methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein (MCP) Tsr. Generation of nitrate in the intestinal lumen required inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which was synthesized constitutively in the mucosa of the terminal ileum but not in the jejunum, duodenum, or cecum. Tsr-mediated invasion of ileal Peyer’s patches was abrogated in mice deficient for
Nos2
, the gene encoding iNOS. We conclude that Tsr-mediated energy taxis enables
S
. Typhimurium to migrate toward the intestinal epithelium by sensing host-derived nitrate, thereby contributing to invasion of Peyer’s patches.

IMPORTANCE
Nontyphoidal
Salmonella
serovars, such as
S. enterica
serovar Typhimurium, are a common cause of gastroenteritis in immunocompetent individuals but can also cause bacteremia in immunocompromised individuals. While the invasion-associated type III secretion system (T3SS-1) is important for entry,
S
. Typhimurium strains lacking a functional T3SS-1 can still cross the intestinal epithelium and cause a disseminated lethal infection in mice. Here we observed that flagellum-mediated motility and chemotaxis contributed to a T3SS-1-independent pathway for invasion and systemic dissemination to the spleen. This pathway required the methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein (MCP) Tsr and energy taxis toward host-derived nitrate, which we found to be generated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the ileal mucosa prior to infection. Collectively, our data suggest that
S
. Typhimurium enhances invasion by actively migrating toward the intestinal epithelium along a gradient of host-derived nitrate emanating from the mucosal surface of the ileum.
Subduction zone interaction: Controls on arcuate belts
Authors: Király Ágnes , Capitanio Fabio A. , Funiciello Francesca , Faccenna Claudio 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
The interaction of neighboring subducting lithospheres is a characteristic feature of many tectonically complex areas. Here we use numerical modeling to study the interactions between two oppositely dipping, adjacent subducting lithospheres and to understand their impact on the subduction evolution, mantle flow, and stress propagation through the mantle. As slabs subduct, rollback, and approach, they strongly affect each other if plate edges are at distances &lt;∼600 km. In this case the mantle flow around slabs combines into a single, large convective cell, trench migration is delayed, and stress increases progressively with decreasing slabs distance. The stress increases at depth as the slabs approach each other, and it shallows up to the near surface as the slabs diverge. A similar setting, with two neighboring slabs migrating and passing each other, is found in areas such as the Alps-Apennines (Europe) and the Ryukyu-Manila subduction zones around Taiwan, where the arcuate trenches suggest the controls of deep slab interactions.