bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proteomic profile of circulating immune complexes in chronic Chagas disease
Authors: Ohyama K. , Huy N. T. , Yoshimi H. , Kishikawa N. , Nishizawa J. E. , Roca Y. , Revollo Guzmán R. J. , Velarde F. U. G. , Kuroda N. , Hirayama K. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryImmune complexes (ICs) are the direct and real‐time products of humoral immune responses. The identification of constituent foreign or autoantigens within ICs might bring new insights into the pathology of infectious diseases. We applied immune complexome analysis of plasma to the study of Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Twenty seropositive plasma samples including cardiac and/or megacolon determinate patients (n = 11) and indeterminate (n = 9) were analysed along with 10 seronegative individuals to characterize the antigens bound to circulating ICs. We identified 39 T. cruzi antigens and 114 human autoantigens specific to patients with Chagas. Among those antigens, two T. cruzi antigens (surface protease GP63, glucose‐6‐isomerase) and six human autoantigens (CD180 antigen, ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen beta chain, fibrinogen beta chain isoform 2 preprotein, isoform gamma‐A of fibrinogen γ‐chain, serum paraoxonase) were detected in more than 50% of the patients tested. Human isoform short of complement factor H‐related protein 2 and trans‐sialidase of T. cruzi were more frequently found in the indeterminate (5/9 for both) compared with in the determinate Chagas (0/11, P = 0·046 for human, 1/11, P = 0·0498 for T. cruzi). The immune complexome could illustrate the difference of immune status between clinical forms of chronic Chagas disease.
Can short‐billed nectar thieving sunbirds replace long‐billed sunbird pollinators in transformed landscapes?
Authors: Geerts S. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract

Pollinator specialisation through exploitation barriers (such as long floral tubes) does not necessarily mean a lack of pollination when the favoured pollinator is rare or absent. Theory predicts that suboptimal visitors will contribute to plant reproduction in the absence of the most effective pollinator. Here I address these questions with Chasmanthe floribunda a long‐tubed plant species in the Cape Floristic Region, which is reliant on one species of pollinator, the long‐billed Malachite Sunbird. In contrast to short‐billed sunbirds, the Malachite Sunbird occurs in lower abundance or is absent in transformed landscapes. Short‐billed sunbirds rob and thieve nectar from long‐tubed flowers, but their potential contribution towards pollination is unknown.

Experiments assessing seed set after single flower visits were performed to determine whether thieving short‐billed sunbirds can act as substitute pollinators. To determine whether short‐billed sunbirds reduce pollen limitation in transformed areas, pollen supplementation was done by hand and compared to natural fruit set.

Short billed sunbirds are unable to act as substitute pollinators, and seed set is significantly lower in the flowers that they visited, compared to flowers visited by long‐billed sunbirds. This is substantiated on a landscape scale, where fruit production in Chasmanthe floribunda could artificially be increased by 35% in transformed landscapes, but not so in natural areas.

These findings have important consequences for the management and conservation of long‐tubed bird‐pollinated plant species that exist in recently transformed landscapes. The potential vulnerability of specialised plant species in transformed landscapes is highlighted.
Brazil and China: Two Routes of Economic Development?
Authors: Policardo Laura , Punzo Lionello F. , Sánchez Carrera Edgar J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe look at two emerging economies, Brazil and China, and propose an evaluation of their recent development in terms of growth performance and the evolution of income inequality. Our analysis, therefore, is related to the literature on their recent vast growth and also to the much debated Kuznets curve and theory. However, we claim that neither the growth nor the Kuznets approach capture recent relevant phenomena characterizing such countries' dynamics: namely, the presence of at least two distinct growth models. Cointegration analysis and empirical evidence seem to corroborate our interpretation. They also offer some further insights. We surmise that while contributing to press for a further re‐examination of convergence in the light of the issue of income distribution, such findings have interpretative relevance and policy implications for other less developed countries.
Validation of a novel saliva‐based ELISA test for diagnosing tapeworm burden in horses
Authors: Lightbody Kirsty L. , Davis Paul J. , Austin Corrine J. 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundTapeworm infections pose a significant threat to equine health as they are associated with clinical cases of colic. Diagnosis of tapeworm burden using fecal egg counts (FECs) is unreliable, and, although a commercial serologic ELISA for anti‐tapeworm antibodies is available, it requires a veterinarian to collect the blood sample. A reliable diagnostic test using an owner‐accessible sample such as saliva could provide a cost‐effective alternative for tapeworm testing in horses, and allow targeted deworming strategies.ObjectivesThe purpose of the study was to statistically validate a saliva tapeworm ELISA test and compare to a tapeworm‐specific IgG(T) serologic ELISA.MethodsSerum samples (139) and matched saliva samples (104) were collected from horses at a UK abattoir. The ileocecal junction and cecum were visually examined for tapeworms and any present were counted. Samples were analyzed using a serologic ELISA and the saliva tapeworm test. The test results were compared to tapeworm numbers and the various data sets were statistically analyzed.ResultsSaliva scores had strong positive correlations with both infection intensity (0.74) and serologic results (Spearman's rank coefficients; 0.74 and 0.86, respectively). The saliva tapeworm test was capable of identifying the presence of one or more tapeworms with 83% sensitivity and 85% specificity. Importantly, no high‐burden (more than 20 tapeworms) horses were misdiagnosed.ConclusionsThe saliva tapeworm test has statistical accuracy for detecting tapeworm burdens in horses with 83% sensitivity and 85% specificity, similar to those of the serologic ELISA (85% and 78%, respectively).
Insights into CO
2
Fixation Pathway of
Clostridium autoethanogenum
by Targeted Mutagenesis
Authors: Liew Fungmin , Henstra Anne M. , Winzer Klaus , Köpke Michael , Simpson Sean D. , Minton Nigel P. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

The future sustainable production of chemicals and fuels from nonpetrochemical resources and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are two of the greatest societal challenges. Gas fermentation, which utilizes the ability of acetogenic bacteria such as
Clostridium autoethanogenum
to grow and convert CO
2
and CO into low-carbon fuels and chemicals, could potentially provide solutions to both. Acetogens fix these single-carbon gases via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Two enzyme activities are predicted to be essential to the pathway: carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH), which catalyzes the reversible oxidation of CO to CO
2
, and acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) synthase (ACS), which combines with CODH to form a CODH/ACS complex for acetyl-CoA fixation. Despite their pivotal role in carbon fixation, their functions have not been confirmed
in vivo
. By genetically manipulating all three CODH isogenes (
acsA
,
cooS1
, and
cooS2
) of
C. autoethanogenum
, we highlighted the functional redundancies of CODH by demonstrating that
cooS1
and
cooS2
are dispensable for autotrophy. Unexpectedly, the
cooS1
inactivation strain showed a significantly reduced lag phase and a higher growth rate than the wild type on H
2
and CO
2
. During heterotrophic growth on fructose, the
acsA
inactivation strain exhibited 61% reduced biomass and the abolishment of acetate production (a hallmark of acetogens), in favor of ethanol, lactate, and 2,3-butanediol production. A translational readthrough event was discovered in the uniquely truncated (compared to those of other acetogens)
C. autoethanogenum acsA
gene. Insights gained from studying the function of CODH enhance the overall understanding of autotrophy and can be used for optimization of biotechnological production of ethanol and other commodities via gas fermentation.

IMPORTANCE
Gas fermentation is an emerging technology that converts the greenhouse gases CO
2
and CO in industrial waste gases and gasified biomass into fuels and chemical commodities. Acetogenic bacteria such as
Clostridium autoethanogenum
are central to this bioprocess, but the molecular and genetic characterization of this microorganism is currently lacking. By targeting all three of the isogenes encoding carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) in
C. autoethanogenum
, we identified the most important CODH isogene for carbon fixation and demonstrated that genetic inactivation of CODH could improve autotrophic growth. This study shows that disabling of the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway via the inactivation of
acsA
(encodes CODH) significantly impairs heterotrophic growth and alters the product profile by abolishing acetate production. Moreover, we discovered a previously undescribed mechanism for controlling the production of this enzyme. This study provides valuable insights into the acetogenic pathway and can be used for the development of more efficient and productive strains for gas fermentation.
A Novel Pathway-Based Approach Improves Lung Cancer Risk Prediction Using Germline Genetic Variations
Authors: Qian David C. , Han Younghun , Byun Jinyoung , Shin Hae Ri , Hung Rayjean J. , McLaughlin John R. , Landi Maria Teresa , Seminara Daniela , Amos Christopher I. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Background: Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many genetic variants that are strongly associated with lung cancer, these variants have low penetrance and serve as poor predictors of lung cancer in individuals. We sought to increase the predictive value of germline variants by considering their cumulative effects in the context of biologic pathways.
Methods: For individuals in the Environment and Genetics in Lung Cancer Etiology study (1,815 cases/1,971 controls), we computed pathway-level susceptibility effects as the sum of relevant SNP variant alleles weighted by their log-additive effects from a separate lung cancer GWAS meta-analysis (7,766 cases/37,482 controls). Logistic regression models based on age, sex, smoking, genetic variants, and principal components of pathway effects and pathway–smoking interactions were trained and optimized in cross-validation and further tested on an independent dataset (556 cases/830 controls). We assessed prediction performance using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
Results: Compared with typical binomial prediction models that have epidemiologic predictors (AUC = 0.607) in addition to top GWAS variants (AUC = 0.617), our pathway-based smoking-interactive multinomial model significantly improved prediction performance in external validation (AUC = 0.656, P &lt; 0.0001).
Conclusions: Our biologically informed approach demonstrated a larger increase in AUC over nongenetic counterpart models relative to previous approaches that incorporate variants.
Impact: This model is the first of its kind to evaluate lung cancer prediction using subtype-stratified genetic effects organized into pathways and interacted with smoking. We propose pathway–exposure interactions as a potentially powerful new contributor to risk inference. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(8); 1208–15. ©2016 AACR.
More than just a bus ride: The role of perceptions in travel behaviour
Authors: Klein Nicholas 
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this article is to add another dimension to our understanding of travel behaviour by highlighting how individual decisions about travel are simultaneously influenced by both rational, calculable metrics of the transportation system but also by socially constructed, context-specific perceptions that travellers hold about the travel modes themselves. The context for this study is a rapid transformation of the market for intercity buses in the Northeast United States. In the past 15 years, new entrants have transformed a humdrum industry into a dynamic sector of the intercity travel market. The new entrants, curbside buses, have largely shunned traditional bus terminals in favour of picking up and dropping off bus passengers on city streets. Ridership has steadily increased, and these new bus companies have expanded operations throughout the country. Drawing on a series of focus groups with intercity bus passengers, I describe how two sets of factors drive intercity travellers’ choice to travel onboard the new intercity buses. First, the new companies offer operational and economic advantages. Second, and surprisingly, focus group participants have different perceptions of the new bus companies than the old – and these perceptions appear to be influencing their travel decisions.
A multi-centre randomised controlled trial comparing radiofrequency and mechanical occlusion chemically assisted ablation of varicose veins – Final results of the Venefit versus Clarivein for varicose veins trial
Authors: Lane Tristan , Bootun Roshan , Dharmarajah Brahman , Lim Chung S , Najem Mojahid , Renton Sophie , Sritharan Kaji , Davies Alun H 
Published: May 2016

Background Endovenous thermal ablation has revolutionised varicose vein treatment. New non-thermal techniques such as mechanical occlusion chemically assisted endovenous ablation (MOCA) allow treatment of entire trunks with single anaesthetic injections. Previous non-randomised work has shown reduced pain post-operatively with MOCA. This study presents a multi-centre randomised controlled trial assessing the difference in pain during truncal ablation using MOCA and radiofrequency endovenous ablation (RFA) with six months’ follow-up. Methods Patients undergoing local anaesthetic endovenous ablation for primary varicose veins were randomised to either MOCA or RFA. Pain scores using Visual Analogue Scale and number scale (0–10) during truncal ablation were recorded. Adjunctive procedures were completed subsequently. Pain after phlebectomy was not assessed. Patients were reviewed at one and six months with clinical scores, quality of life scores and duplex ultrasound assessment of the treated leg. Results A total of 170 patients were recruited over a 21-month period from 240 screened. Patients in the MOCA group experienced significantly less maximum pain during the procedure by Visual Analogue Scale (MOCA median 15 mm (interquartile range 7–36 mm) versus RFA 34 mm (interquartile range 16–53 mm), p = 0.003) and number scale (MOCA median 3 (interquartile range 1–5) versus RFA 4 mm (interquartile range 3–6.5), p = 0.002). ‘ Average’ pain scores were also significantly less in the MOCA group; 74% underwent simultaneous phlebectomy. Occlusion rates, clinical severity scores, disease specific and generic quality of life scores were similar between groups at one and six months. There were two deep vein thromboses, one in each group. Conclusion Pain secondary to truncal ablation is less painful with MOCA than RFA with similar short-term technical, quality of life and safety outcomes.
Mineralocorticoid receptor haplotype moderates the effects of oral contraceptives and menstrual cycle on emotional information processing
Authors: Hamstra Danielle A , de Kloet E Ronald , Tollenaar Marieke , Verkuil Bart , Manai Meriem , Putman Peter , Van der Does Willem 
Published: May 2016

Rationale: The processing of emotional information is affected by menstrual cycle phase and by the use of oral contraceptives (OCs). The stress hormone cortisol is known to affect emotional information processing via the limbic mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Objectives: We investigated in an exploratory study whether the MR-genotype moderates the effect of both OC-use and menstrual cycle phase on emotional cognition. Methods: Healthy premenopausal volunteers ( n=93) of West-European descent completed a battery of emotional cognition tests. Forty-nine participants were OC users and 44 naturally cycling, 21 of whom were tested in the early follicular (EF) and 23 in the mid-luteal (ML) phase of the menstrual cycle. Results: In MR-haplotype 1/3 carriers, ML women gambled more than EF women when their risk to lose was relatively small. In MR-haplotype 2, ML women gambled more than EF women, regardless of their odds of winning. OC-users with MR-haplotype 1/3 recognised fewer facial expressions than ML women with MR-haplotype 1/3. Conclusion: MR-haplotype 1/3 carriers may be more sensitive to the influence of their female hormonal status. MR-haplotype 2 carriers showed more risky decision-making. As this may reflect optimistic expectations, this finding may support previous observations in female carriers of MR-haplotype 2 in a naturalistic cohort study.
Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and accelerated atherosclerosis: An intriguing association needing targeted surveillance. Lessons from a rare case of acute anterior myocardial infarction
Authors: Scudiero Laura , Soriano Francesco , Morici Nuccia , Grillo Giovanni , Belli Oriana , Sacco Alice , Cipriani Manlio , Pedrotti Patrizia , Quattrocchi Giuseppina , Klugmann Silvio , Oliva Fabrizio 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
We report the case of a 23-year-old man who developed an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction secondary to acute thrombotic occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery five years after undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and bulky mediastinal mass involving the pleura and pericardium. His medical history also included Graft versus Host Disease developed 13 months after transplantation and acute myocarditis three months before the actual hospital admission. To the best of our knowledge, coronary artery disease as a complication of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and low-dose mediastinal radiation therapy in young patients has been rarely reported in the medical literature. Clinicians should have a high degree of suspicion of coronary artery disease in patients treated with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, especially in patients previously treated with target mediastinal radiotherapy, as a group at risk of premature and significantly accelerated atherosclerosis, in order to make a timely and correct diagnosis.
CXCR2 and CXCL4 regulate survival and self-renewal of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Sinclair Amy , Park Laura , Shah Mansi , Drotar Mark , Calaminus Simon , Hopcroft Lisa E. M. , Kinstrie Ross , Guitart Amelie V. , Dunn Karen , Abraham Sheela A. , Sansom Owen , Michie Alison M. , Machesky Laura , Kranc Kamil R. , Graham Gerard J. , Pellicano Francesca , Holyoake Tessa L. 
Published: May 2016

Key Points
Chemokine ligands CXCL1-4, 6, 10, 11, and 13 are upregulated in human quiescent HSCs with CXCR2 and CXCL4 regulating their survival. Genetic ablation of Cxcr2 or Cxcl4 in murine models induces initial expansion but eventual exhaustion of HSC in transplantation assays.
Daratumumab depletes CD38+ immune regulatory cells, promotes T-cell expansion, and skews T-cell repertoire in multiple myeloma
Authors: Krejcik Jakub , Casneuf Tineke , Nijhof Inger S. , Verbist Bie , Bald Jaime , Plesner Torben , Syed Khaja , Liu Kevin , van de Donk Niels W. C. J. , Weiss Brendan M. , Ahmadi Tahamtan , Lokhorst Henk M. , Mutis Tuna , Sasser A. Kate 
Published: May 2016

Key Points
CD38-expressing immunosuppressive regulatory T and B cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells were sensitive to daratumumab treatment. Cytotoxic T-cell number, activation, and clonality increased after daratumumab treatment in heavily pretreated relapsed and refractory MM.
‘Satan demands total annihilation’: Heavy metal in the German Democratic Republic
Authors: Okunew Nikolai 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
East German Heavy Metal fans established themselves as the largest or second largest subculture of the GDR in the 1980s. Yet, only few academic works have explored this group. Using sources from the Stasi Record Agency (BStU), documents from the German Radio Archive (Deutsches Rundfunkarchiv Babelsberg) and academic works from ZIJ, GDR’s Central Institute for Youth Research (Zentralinsitut für Jugendforschung), this article describes the practices developed by the East German Heavy Metal fans to cope with their special situation behind the Iron Curtain. The article also explores how the regime tried to deal with these deviant youngsters. Their practices were so closely linked to the party-state that they served no function when the Berlin Wall came down. The subculture therefore shared the same fate as the GDR and quickly vanished in 1989/90.
Soft matter: Responsive architectural operations
Authors: Dahmen Joseph 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Soft systems attempt to account for non-linear processes whose complexity derives from shifting interrelationships between elements. The move towards soft systems, whose stability is rooted in dynamism, represents a significant shift across disciplines with important implications for the way we approach architectural environments and materials. This article investigates the effects of physical and operational softness on the experience of architectural space through the lens of a recent installation using mycelium biocomposites, an emergent soft material. This contemporary exploration of architectural softness builds in new and technically sophisticated ways on earlier experiments in architectural softness that explored the promise of creating responsive and flexible architectures.
On complexism
Authors: Cogdell Christina 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
This article responds to Philip Galanter’s essay ‘Complexism and the role of evolutionary art’ to explore complexism in relation to postmodern and generative architecture. Galanter poses complexism as a new theoretical mode that can supercede the divides of modernism/postmodernism and the two cultures (sciences/arts and humanities). The author, rather than promoting complexism, examines it as if from afar, positioning it as our most recent scientifically informed paradigm. She asserts that, in many ways, complexism functions as an ideology permeating realms of cultural and intellectual production. Examples range from contemporary advertising to economic theory, political and economic protests such as the Occupy Movement, to the rhetorical and computational strategies in generative architecture. The author demonstrates that postmodernism in architecture was always theoretically tied to complex systems theory. Further, she connects the vagaries of application and extrapolation of complexity theory, across realms of current-day cultural production, to the definitional vagueness of some of complexism’s key terms (system, selforganization, emergence). Finally, she argues that two collateral effects of complexism are: (1) the promotion of dependence on environmentally damaging computational devices and (2) the socio-economic and environmental expulsions occurring in the global economy, as recently argued by sociologist Saskia Sassen.