bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a TaqMan Array Card for Detection of Central Nervous System Infections
Authors: Onyango Clayton O. , Loparev Vladimir , Lidechi Shirley , Bhullar Vinod , Schmid D. Scott , Radford Kay , Lo Michael K. , Rota Paul , Johnson Barbara W. , Munoz Jorge , Oneko Martina , Burton Deron , Black Carolyn M. , Neatherlin John , Montgomery Joel M. , Fields Barry 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are often acute, with significant morbidity and mortality. Routine diagnosis of such infections is limited in developing countries and requires modern equipment in advanced laboratories that may be unavailable to a number of patients in sub-Saharan Africa. We developed a TaqMan array card (TAC) that detects multiple pathogens simultaneously from cerebrospinal fluid. The 21-pathogen CNS multiple-pathogen TAC (CNS-TAC) assay includes two parasites (
Balamuthia mandrillaris
and
Acanthamoeba
), six bacterial pathogens (
Streptococcus pneumonia
e,
Haemophilus influenzae
,
Neisseria meningitidis
,
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, and
Bartonella
), and 13 viruses (parechovirus, dengue virus, Nipah virus, varicella-zoster virus, mumps virus, measles virus, lyssavirus, herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, Epstein-Barr virus, enterovirus, cytomegalovirus, and chikungunya virus). The card also includes human RNase P as a nucleic acid extraction control and an internal manufacturer control, GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase). This CNS-TAC assay can test up to eight samples for all 21 agents within 2.5 h following nucleic acid extraction. The assay was validated for linearity, limit of detection, sensitivity, and specificity by using either live viruses (dengue, mumps, and measles viruses) or nucleic acid material (Nipah and chikungunya viruses). Of 120 samples tested by individual real-time PCR, 35 were positive for eight different targets, whereas the CNS-TAC assay detected 37 positive samples across nine different targets. The CNS-TAC assays showed 85.6% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity. Therefore, the CNS-TAC assay may be useful for outbreak investigation and surveillance of suspected neurological disease.
Molecular Evolution and Emergence of H5N6 Avian Influenza Virus in Central China
Authors: Du Yingying , Chen Mingyue , Yang Jiayun , Jia Yane , Han Shufang , Holmes Edward C. , Cui Jie 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT
H5N6 avian influenza virus (AIV) has posed a potential threat to public health since its emergence in China in 2013. To understand the evolution and emergence of H5N6 AIV in the avian population, we performed molecular surveillance of live poultry markets (LPMs) in Wugang Prefecture, Hunan Province, in central China, during 2014 and 2015. Wugang Prefecture is located on the Eastern Asian-Australian migratory bird flyway, and a human death due to an H5N6 virus was reported in the prefecture on 21 November 2016. In total, we sampled and sequenced the complete genomes of 175 H5N6 AIVs. Notably, our analysis revealed that H5N6 AIVs contain at least six genotypes arising from segment reassortment, including a rare variant that possesses an HA gene derived from H5N1 clade 2.3.2 and a novel NP gene that has its origins with H7N3 viruses. In addition, phylogenetic analysis revealed that genetically similar H5N6 AIVs tend to cluster according to their geographic regions of origin. These results help to reveal the evolutionary behavior of influenza viruses prior to their emergence in humans.

IMPORTANCE
The newly emerged H5N6 influenza A virus has caused more than 10 human deaths in China since 2013. In November 2016, a human death due to an H5N6 virus, in Wugang Prefecture, Hunan Province, was confirmed by the WHO. To better understand the evolution and emergence of H5N6 viruses, we surveyed live poultry markets (LPMs) in Wugang Prefecture before the reported human death, with a focus on revealing the diversity and genomic origins of H5N6 in birds during 2014 and 2015. In general, H5N6 viruses in this region were most closely related to H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4, with the exception of one virus with an HA gene derived from clade 2.3.2 such that it represents a novel reassortant. Clearly, the ongoing surveillance of LPMs is central to monitoring the emergence of pathogenic influenza viruses.
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Mosquito C6/36 Cells Reveals Host Proteins Involved in Zika Virus Infection
Authors: Xin Qi-Lin , Deng Cheng-Lin , Chen Xi , Wang Jun , Wang Shao-Bo , Wang Wei , Deng Fei , Zhang Bo , Xiao Gengfu , Zhang Lei-Ke 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging arbovirus belonging to the genus
Flavivirus
of the family
Flaviviridae
. During replication processes, flavivirus manipulates host cell systems to facilitate its replication, while the host cells activate antiviral responses. Identification of host proteins involved in the flavivirus replication process may lead to the discovery of antiviral targets. The mosquitoes
Aedes aegypti
and
Aedes albopictus
are epidemiologically important vectors for ZIKV, and effective restrictions of ZIKV replication in mosquitoes will be vital in controlling the spread of virus. In this study, an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis of ZIKV-infected
Aedes albopictus
C6/36 cells was performed to investigate host proteins involved in the ZIKV infection process. A total of 3,544 host proteins were quantified, with 200 being differentially regulated, among which CHCHD2 can be upregulated by ZIKV infection in both mosquito C6/36 and human HeLa cells. Our further study indicated that CHCHD2 can promote ZIKV replication and inhibit beta interferon (IFN-β) production in HeLa cells, suggesting that ZIKV infection may upregulate CHCHD2 to inhibit IFN-I production and thus promote virus replication. Bioinformatics analysis of regulated host proteins highlighted several ZIKV infection-regulated biological processes. Further study indicated that the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays roles in the ZIKV entry process and that an FDA-approved inhibitor of the 20S proteasome, bortezomib, can inhibit ZIKV infection
in vivo
. Our study illustrated how host cells respond to ZIKV infection and also provided a candidate drug for the control of ZIKV infection in mosquitoes and treatment of ZIKV infection in patients.

IMPORTANCE
ZIKV infection poses great threats to human health, and there is no FDA-approved drug available for the treatment of ZIKV infection. During replication, ZIKV manipulates host cell systems to facilitate its replication, while host cells activate antiviral responses. Identification of host proteins involved in the ZIKV replication process may lead to the discovery of antiviral targets. In this study, the first quantitative proteomic analysis of ZIKV-infected cells was performed to investigate host proteins involved in the ZIKV replication process. Bioinformatics analysis highlighted several ZIKV infection-regulated biological processes. Further study indicated that the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays roles in the ZIKV entry process and that an FDA-approved inhibitor of the UPS, bortezomib, can inhibit ZIKV infection
in vivo
. Our study not only illustrated how host cells respond to ZIKV infection but also provided a candidate drug for the control of ZIKV infection in mosquitoes and treatment of ZIKV infection in patients.
Stress Hormones Epinephrine and Corticosterone Selectively Modulate Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 Productive Infections in Adult Sympathetic, but Not Sensory, Neurons
Authors: Ives Angela M. , Bertke Andrea S. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTHerpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) infect and establish latency in peripheral neurons, from which they can reactivate to cause recurrent disease throughout the life of the host. Stress is associated with the exacerbation of clinical symptoms and the induction of recurrences in humans and animal models. The viruses preferentially replicate and establish latency in different subtypes of sensory neurons, as well as in neurons of the autonomic nervous system that are highly responsive to stress hormones. To determine if stress-related hormones modulate productive HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections within sensory and autonomic neurons, we analyzed viral DNA and the production of viral progeny after treatment of primary adult murine neuronal cultures with the stress hormones epinephrine and corticosterone. Both sensory trigeminal ganglion (TG) and sympathetic superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons expressed adrenergic receptors (activated by epinephrine) and the glucocorticoid receptor (activated by corticosterone). Productive HSV infection colocalized with these receptors in SCG but not in TG neurons. In productively infected neuronal cultures, epinephrine treatment significantly increased the levels of HSV-1 DNA replication and production of viral progeny in SCG neurons, but no significant differences were found in TG neurons. In contrast, corticosterone significantly decreased the levels of HSV-2 DNA replication and production of viral progeny in SCG neurons but not in TG neurons. Thus, the stress-related hormones epinephrine and corticosterone selectively modulate acute HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections in autonomic, but not sensory, neurons.IMPORTANCEStress exacerbates acute disease symptoms resulting from HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections and is associated with the appearance of recurrent skin lesions in millions of people. Although stress hormones are thought to impact HSV-1 and HSV-2 through immune system suppression, sensory and autonomic neurons that become infected by HSV-1 and HSV-2 express stress hormone receptors and are responsive to hormone fluctuations. Our results show that autonomic neurons are more responsive to epinephrine and corticosterone than are sensory neurons, demonstrating that the autonomic nervous system plays a substantial role in HSV pathogenesis. Furthermore, these results suggest that stress responses have the potential to differentially impact HSV-1 and HSV-2 so as to produce divergent outcomes of infection.
Recent acute prerace systemic illness in runners increases the risk of not finishing the race: SAFER study V
Authors: Gordon Leigh , Schwellnus Martin , Swanevelder Sonja , Jordaan Esme , Derman Wayne 
Published: April 2017

AimThere are limited data on the negative effects of exercise in athletes with acute infective illness. The aim of this study was to determine whether a recently diagnosed prerace acute illness in runners affects the ability to finish a race.MethodsRunners were prospectively evaluated in the 3 days before the race for acute infective illness and then received participation advice using clinical criteria based on systemic or localised symptoms/signs. We compared the did-not-start and the did-not-finish frequencies of ill runners (Ill=172: localised=58.7%; systemic=41.3%) with that of a control group of runners (Con=53 734).ResultsRunners with a systemic illness were 10.4% more likely not to start compared with controls (29.6% vs 19.2%) (p=0.0073). The risk difference of not starting the race in runners who were advised not to run the race compared with controls was 37.3% (56.5% vs 19.2%, p<0.0001). Compared with controls, runners with illness had a significantly (p<0.05) greater risk (any illness (5.2% vs 1.6%), systemic illness (8.0% vs 1.6%), illness <24 hours before the race (11.1% vs 1.6%)) and relative risk (prevalence risk ratio) (any illness=3.4, systemic illness=4.9, systemic illness <24 hours before the race=7.0) of not finishing the race.ConclusionsRunners with prerace acute systemic illness, and particularly those diagnosed <24 hours before race day, are less likely to finish the race, indicating a reduction in race performance.
Risk factors of non-specific neck pain and low back pain in computer-using office workers in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ye Sunyue , Jing Qinglei , Wei Chen , Lu Jie 
Published: April 2017

ObjectivesSeveral studies have found that inappropriate workstations are associated with musculoskeletal disorders. The present cross-sectional study aimed to identify the risk factors of non-specific neck pain (NP) and low back pain (LBP) among computer-using workers.DesignObservational study with a cross-sectional sample.SettingThis study surveyed 15 companies in Zhejiang province, China.ParticipantsAfter excluding participants with missing variables, 417 office workers, including 163 men and 254 women, were analyzed.Outcome measuresDemographic information was collected by self-report. The standard Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index, along with other relevant questions, were used to assess the presence of potential occupational risk factors and the perceived levels of pain. Multinomial logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, education, marital status and neck/low back injury, was performed to identify significant risk factors.ResultsCompared with low-level NP, the computer location (monitor not in front of the operator, but on the right or left side) was associated with ORs of 2.6 and 2.9 for medium- and high-level NP, respectively. For LBP, the computer location (monitor not in front) was associated with an OR of 3.2 for high-level pain, as compared with low-level pain, in females. Significant associations were also observed between the office temperature and LBP (OR 5.4 for high vs low), and between office work duration ≥5 years and NP in female office workers (OR 2.7 for medium vs low).ConclusionsNot having the computer monitor located in front of the operator was found to be an important risk factor for NP and LBP in computer-using female workers. This information may not only enable the development of potential preventive strategies but may also provide new insights for designing appropriate workstations.
Moving past the problematisation of tobacco farming: insights from South India
Authors: Natarajan Nithya 
Published: April 2017

IntroductionTobacco control actors increasingly recognise the importance of supply-side issues in seeking to address the problem of global tobacco consumption. However, research in this field often depicts tobacco production as a problem for farmers and as a malaise of the global industry. This paper the case of chewing tobacco producers in South India to explore why tobacco remains so resilient in this region.MethodsSemi-structured interviews with 68 tobacco farmers and traders in 38 villages across five districts of Tamil Nadu, triangulated with informal discussions with over 100 agrarian actors both connected and unconnected to tobacco, extensive ethnographic field notes, and interviews with state and NGO actors. Representative sampling was not possible due to a lack of data on what constituted the ’population'. Therefore interviews were based on snowballing methods, with the aim being to capture the general scenario across five districts where tobacco is produced.ResultsThe case highlighted the lack of a clear ’industry' which was exploiting farmers. Instead, tobacco was favoured by producers due to its drought resistance in a region of water scarcity, and it offered high levels of remuneration in certain circumstances where farmers are able to cure the leaf. It also afforded increased bargaining power to farmers in relation to traders as it is able to be stored and sold in low seasons by some. Finally, where exploitation of farmers by traders was evident, this was not necessarily unique to tobacco.DiscussionThe paper ultimately advocates further research on locally specific settings to better understand why tobacco cash crop remains so resilient in the Global South today, and a move beyond problematisations of the tobacco industry alone when looking at production.
The formation of periodic micro/nano structured on stainless steel by femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Yao Caizhen , Gao Wei , Ye Yayun , Jiang Yong , Xu Shizhen , Yuan Xiaodong 
Published: April 2017

Stainless steel surface was irradiated by linear polarized laser (800 nm, 35 fs, 4 Hz and 0.7 J/cm2) with different pulse numbers. Environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM/EDS) was used for detailed morphology, microstructure and composition studies. The wettability of irradiated steel surface was tested by Interface Tensiometer JC-2000X and compared with untreated stainless steel. Results showed that micro/nanostripes with different periods were formed. The period increased with the increasing pulse numbers from 450 nm for 90 pulses to 500 nm for 180 pulses. The orientation of those stripes was parallel with the laser beam polarization. Nanoparticles were observed on those periodic structures. EDS indicated that the atomic ratio of Cr increased and the atomic ratios of Fe and Ni decreased after laser irradiation, which may enhance the corrosion resistance due to the Cr-rich layer. The prepared structure exhibited hydrophobic property without further treatment. The formation mechanism of micro/nanoperiodic structures was also explored.
Research on local resonance and Bragg scattering coexistence in phononic crystal
Authors: Dong Yake , Yao Hong , Du Jun , Zhao Jingbo , Jiang Jiulong 
Published: April 2017

Based on the finite element method (FEM), characteristics of the local resonance band gap and the Bragg scattering band gap of two periodically-distributed vibrator structures are studied. Conditions of original anti-resonance generation are theoretically derived. The original anti-resonance effect leads to localization of vibration. Factors which influence original anti-resonance band gap are analyzed. The band gap width and the mass ratio between two vibrators are closely correlated to each other. Results show that the original anti-resonance band gap has few influencing factors. In the locally resonant structure, the Bragg scattering band gap is found. The mass density of the elastic medium and the elasticity modulus have an important impact on the Bragg band gap. The coexistence of the two mechanisms makes the band gap larger. The band gap covered 90% of the low frequencies below 2000 Hz. All in all, the research could provide references for studying the low-frequency and broad band gap of phononic crystal.
Gastroparesis and lipid metabolism-associated dysbiosis in Wistar-Kyoto rats
Authors: Dalziel J. E. , Fraser Karl , Young Wayne , McKenzie Catherine M. , Bassett Shalome A. , Roy Nicole C. 
Published: April 2017

Altered gastric accommodation and intestinal morphology suggest impaired gastrointestinal (GI) transit may occur in the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat strain, as common in stress-associated functional GI disorders. Because changes in GI transit can alter microbiota composition, we investigated whether these are altered in WKY rats compared with the resilient Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats under basal conditions and characterized plasma lipid and metabolite differences. Bead transit was tracked by X-ray imaging to monitor gastric emptying (4 h), small intestine (SI) transit (9 h), and large intestine transit (12 h). Plasma extracts were analyzed by lipid and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Cecal microbial composition was determined by Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and analysis using the QIIME pipeline. Stomach retention of beads was 77% for WKY compared with 35% for SD rats. GI transit was decreased by 34% (9 h) and 21% (12 h) in WKY compared with SD rats. Excluding stomach retention, transiting beads moved 29% further along the SI over 4–9 h for WKY compared with SD rats. Cecal Ruminococcus, Roseburia, and unclassified Lachnospiraceae genera were less abundant in WKY rats, whereas the minor taxa Dorea, Turicibacter, and Lactobacillus were higher. Diglycerides, triglycerides, phosphatidyl-ethanolamines, and phosphatidylserine were lower in WKY rats, whereas cholesterol esters and taurocholic acids were higher. The unexpected WKY rat phenotype of delayed gastric emptying, yet rapid SI transit, was associated with altered lipid and metabolite profiles. The delayed gastric emptying of the WKY phenotype suggests this rat strain may be useful as a model for gastroparesis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study reveals that the stress-prone Wistar-Kyoto rat strain has a baseline physiology of gastroparesis and rapid small intestine transit, together with metabolic changes consistent with lipid metabolism-associated dysbiosis, compared with nonstress-prone rats. This suggests that the Wistar-Kyoto rat strain may be an appropriate animal model for gastroparesis. View this article's corresponding video summary at https://youtu.be/BeI39Jh2BLk .
Elevated intrabolus pressure identifies obstructive processes when integrated relaxation pressure is normal on esophageal high-resolution manometry
Authors: Quader Farhan , Reddy Chanakyaram , Patel Amit , Gyawali C. Prakash 
Published: April 2017

Elevated integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) on esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM) identifies obstructive processes at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). Our aim was to determine whether intrabolus pressure (IBP) can identify structural EGJ processes when IRP is normal. In this observational cohort study, adult patients with dysphagia and undergoing HRM were evaluated for endoscopic evidence of structural EGJ processes (strictures, rings, hiatus hernia) in the setting of normal IRP. HRM metrics [IRP, distal contractile integral (DCI), distal latency (DL), IBP, and EGJ contractile integral (EGJ-CI)] were compared among 74 patients with structural EGJ findings (62.8 ± 1.6 yr, 67.6% women), 27 patients with normal EGD (52.9 ± 3.2 yr, 70.3% women), and 21 healthy controls (27.6 ± 0.6 yr, 52.4% women). Findings were validated in 85 consecutive symptomatic patients to address clinical utility. In the primary cohort, mean IBP (18.4 ± 0.9 mmHg) was higher with structural EGJ findings compared with dysphagia with normal EGD (13.5 ± 1.1 mmHg, P = 0.002) and healthy controls (10.9 ± 0.9 mmHg, P < 0.001). However, mean IRP, DCI, DL, and EGJ-CI were similar across groups ( P > 0.05 for each comparison). During multiple rapid swallows, IBP remained higher in the structural findings group compared with controls ( P = 0.02). Similar analysis of the prospective validation cohort confirmed IBP elevation in structural EGJ processes, but correlation with dysphagia could not be demonstrated. We conclude that elevated IBP predicts the presence of structural EGJ processes even when IRP is normal, but correlation with dysphagia is suboptimal. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) above the upper limit of normal defines esophageal outflow obstruction using high-resolution manometry. In patients with normal IRP, elevated intrabolus pressure (IBP) can be a surrogate marker for a structural restrictive or obstructive process at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). This has the potential to augment the clinical value of esophageal HRM by raising suspicion for a structural EGJ process when IBP is elevated.