bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biodiversity and species competition regulate the resilience of microbial biofilm community
Authors: Feng Kai , Zhang Zhaojing , Cai Weiwei , Liu Wenzong , Xu Meiying , Yin Huaqun , Wang Aijie , He Zhili , Deng Ye 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem stability is poorly understood in microbial communities. Biofilm communities in small bioreactors called microbial electrolysis cells (MEC) contain moderate species numbers and easy tractable functional traits, thus providing an ideal platform for verifying ecological theories in microbial ecosystems. Here, we investigated the resilience of biofilm communities with a gradient of diversity, and explored the relationship between biodiversity and stability in response to a pH shock. The results showed that all bioreactors could recover to stable performance after pH disturbance, exhibiting a great resilience ability. A further analysis of microbial composition showed that the rebound of Geobacter and other exoelectrogens contributed to the resilient effectiveness, and that the presence of Methanobrevibacter might delay the functional recovery of biofilms. The microbial communities with higher diversity tended to be recovered faster, implying biofilms with high biodiversity showed better resilience in response to environmental disturbance. Network analysis revealed that the negative interactions between the two dominant genera of Geobacter and Methanobrevibacter increased when the recovery time became longer, implying the internal resource or spatial competition of key functional taxa might fundamentally impact the resilience performances of biofilm communities. This study provides new insights into our understanding of the relationship between diversity and ecosystem functioning.
The roles of plasticity and evolutionary change in shaping gene expression variation in natural populations of extremophile fish
Authors: Passow Courtney N. , Henpita Chathurika , Shaw Jennifer H. , Quackenbush Corey R. , Warren Wesley C. , Schartl Manfred , Arias‐Rodriguez Lenin , Kelley Joanna L. , Tobler Michael 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe notorious plasticity of gene expression responses and the complexity of environmental gradients complicate the identification of adaptive differences in gene regulation among populations. We combined transcriptome analyses in nature with common‐garden and exposure experiments to establish cause–effect relationships between the presence of a physiochemical stressor and expression differences, as well as to test how evolutionary change and plasticity interact to shape gene expression variation in natural systems. We studied two evolutionarily independent population pairs of an extremophile fish (Poecilia mexicana) living in toxic, hydrogen sulphide (H2S)‐rich springs and adjacent nontoxic habitats and assessed genomewide expression patterns of wild‐caught and common‐garden‐raised individuals exposed to different concentrations of H2S. We found that 7.7% of genes that were differentially expressed between sulphidic and nonsulphidic ecotypes remained differentially expressed in the laboratory, indicating that sources of selection other than H2S—or plastic responses to other environmental factors—contribute substantially to gene expression patterns observed in the wild. Concordantly differentially expressed genes in the wild and the laboratory were primarily associated with H2S detoxification, sulphur processing and metabolic physiology. While shared, ancestral plasticity played a minor role in shaping gene expression variation observed in nature, we documented evidence for evolved population differences in the constitutive expression as well as the H2S inducibility of candidate genes. Mechanisms underlying gene expression variation also varied substantially across the two ecotype pairs. These results provide a springboard for studying evolutionary modifications of gene regulatory mechanisms that underlie expression variation in locally adapted populations.
Susceptibility of Malassezia pachydermatis to aminoglycosides
Authors: Silva Freddy Alejandro , Conde‐Felipe Magnolia , Rosario Inmaculada , Ferrer Otilia , Real Fernando , Déniz Soraya , Acosta Félix , Padilla Daniel , Acosta‐Hernández Begoña 
Published: September 2017

SummaryPrevious studies have evaluated the action of gentamicin against Malassezia pachydermatis. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro susceptibility of M. pachydermatis to the aminoglycosides— gentamicin, tobramycin, netilmicin and framycetin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of gentamicin was determined following methods M27‐A3 microdilution and Etest®. The Etest® was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tobramycin and netilmicin. The Kirby‐Bauer test was used to determine the antibiotic susceptibility to the framycetin. The MIC50 and MIC90 were 8.12 μg/mL and 32.5 μg/mL by microdilution method for gentamicin. The MIC50, determined by the Etest®, was 8 μg/mL for gentamicin and netilmicin and 64 μg/mL for tobramycin. The MIC90 was 16 and 32 μg/mL for gentamicin and netilmicin respectively. The MIC90 was outside of the detectable limits for tobramycin. To framycetin, 28 strains (40%) of the 70 M. pachydermatis isolates tested showed a diameter of 22 mm, 22 strains (31.42%) showed a diameter of 20 mm, 16 strains showed a diameter of ≤ 18 mm, and only 5.71% of the isolates showed a diameter of ≥ 22 mm. This study provides evidence of high in vitro activity of the aminoglycosides—gentamicin, tobramycin, netilmicin and framycetin against M. pachydermatis. For gentamicin Etest® showed similar values of MIC50 y MIC90 that the obtained by microdilution method. We considered Etest® method could be a good method for these calculations with aminoglycosides.
Patient‐reported outcomes from two randomised studies comparing once‐weekly application of amorolfine 5% nail lacquer to other methods of topical treatment in distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis
Authors: Schaller Martin , Sigurgeirsson Bardur , Sarkany Marlis 
Published: September 2017

SummaryPatient adherence is a key consideration in the choice of a topical regimen for the treatment of onychomycosis. The objective of this study was to investigate patient‐reported outcomes (treatment utilisation, adherence and satisfaction) in onychomycosis treated with once‐weekly amorolfine 5% nail lacquer versus once‐daily ciclopirox 8% nail lacquer (Study A) or once‐daily urea 40% ointment/bifonazole 1% cream combination regimen (Study B). Study A: Subjects received amorolfine and ciclopirox on opposite feet for 12 weeks. Study B: Subjects received amorolfine and urea/bifonazole on opposite feet for 6‐7 weeks. Assessments included subject adherence as per label, treatment preference and questionnaire. Study A: More subjects adhered to amorolfine (85%) than to ciclopirox (60%) (P = .025). Overall, subjects were satisfied (95% vs 100%, respectively) and the treatments were balanced in terms of preference (50% vs 45%) at week 12. Study B: More subjects adhered to amorolfine dosage (81.8%) than to the dosage of the urea/bifonazole combination regimen (59.1%) (P = .096). At the end of study, 85.7% of subjects preferred amorolfine versus 14.3% for urea/bifonazole. Fewer subjects experienced local side effects with amorolfine (4.5%) compared to urea (27.3%) and bifonazole (15%). Amorolfine 5% nail lacquer offers a simple and convenient treatment option, which may result in improved patient adherence and consequently lead to improved efficacy and patient satisfaction.
Achieving recovery in patients with schizophrenia through psychosocial interventions: A retrospective study
Authors: Buonocore Mariachiara , Bosia Marta , Baraldi Maria A. , Bechi Margherita , Spangaro Marco , Cocchi Federica , Bianchi Laura , Guglielmino Carmelo , Mastromatteo Antonella R. , Cavallaro Roberto 
Published: September 2017

AimRecovery, or functional remission, represents the ultimate treatment goal in schizophrenia. Despite its importance, a standardized definition of remission is still lacking, thus reported rates significantly vary across studies. Moreover, the effects of rehabilitative interventions on recovery have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to evaluate recovery in a sample of patients with chronic schizophrenia engaged in rehabilitation programs and to explore contributing factors, with a focus on sociocognitive rehabilitative interventions.MethodsData from 104 patients with schizophrenia treated either with a standard rehabilitation program, including cognitive remediation (n = 46), or the latter plus a specific sociocognitive intervention (n = 58), and assessed for psychopathology, cognition, social cognition, and Quality of Life Scale, were retrospectively analyzed for this study.ResultsRecovery, evaluated with the Quality of Life Scale, was achieved by 56.76% of patients in our sample. While no effects were observed for clinical, cognitive, or sociocognitive variables, participation in the sociocognitive rehabilitative interventions was positively associated with recovery.ConclusionOur results indicate that high rates of recovery can be achieved in patients treated with psychosocial interventions and suggest that rehabilitative programs targeting social cognition may further facilitate the process of recovery. If confirmed, these results may have relevant implications for daily clinical practice and service provision, allowing clinicians to develop and optimize specific rehabilitation programs in order to promote recovery.
Optimizing hepatic venous outflow reconstruction for hepatic vein stenosis with indwelling stent in living donor liver retransplantation
Authors: Shigeta Takanobu , Sakamoto Seisuke , Sasaki Kengo , Uchida Hajime , Narumoto Soichi , Fukuda Akinari , Kasahara Mureo 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe patient was a boy of 7 years and 5 months of age, who underwent LDLT for acute liver failure at 10 months of age. HV stent placement was performed 8 months after LDLT because of intractable HV stenosis. At 7 years of age, his liver function deteriorated due to chronic rejection. The patient therefore underwent living donor liver retransplantation from his father. The HV was transected with the stent in situ. The IVC was resected due to stenosis. The pericardial cavity was opened and detached around the IVC to elongate the IVC. The divided ends of the IVC were joined by suturing to the posterior wall of the IVC. A new triangular orifice was made by adding an incision on the anterior wall of the IVC. The graft HV was then anastomosed to the new orifice with continuous sutures in the posterior wall and interrupted sutures in the anterior wall using 5‐0 non‐absorbable sutures. Doppler ultrasound showed a triphasic waveform. We successfully performed HV reconstruction without a vascular graft. This is a feasible procedure for overcoming HV stenosis in LDLT patients with an indwelling stent.
ACA Exchange Competitiveness In Texas
Authors: Morrisey Michael A. , Radcliff Tiffany A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe health insurance exchange in Texas began with some timidity in 2014. However, it saw rapid entry of insurers and plans, and the lowering of many plan premiums relative to those of the dominant Blue Cross Blue Shield offerings in 2015 and 2016. By 2017 insurers had reliable information on the utilization experience. Several insurers withdrew from the exchange; others reduced the number of counties in which they offered coverage. In the 2017 open enrollment period, only health maintenance organizations (HMOs) were offered and premiums increased dramatically for most remaining insurers.
ACA Exchange Competitiveness in North Carolina
Authors: Hall Mark A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNorth Carolina is a populous state (10 million) with lower‐than‐average income (42nd nationally) and a historically high uninsurance rate (6th nationally). Thus, the state had a large number of potential new applicants eligible for subsidized coverage, and in fact has achieved the fourth highest exchange enrollment in the country (approximately 600,000). North Carolina is also notable for being the second largest state to have only one carrier statewide—Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
When and how can nephrologists treat hepatitis C virus infection in dialysis patients?
Authors: Davis Maya I. , Chute Donald F. , Chung Raymond T. , Sise Meghan E. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, a major cause of end‐stage liver disease, is a common comorbidity in patients on dialysis and causes increased morbidity and mortality. Historically HCV has been extremely difficult to cure with interferon and ribavirin‐based therapies, which are also associated with significant side effects, and few dialysis patients ever received HCV treatment. However, in the last 4 years, interferon‐free direct‐acting antiviral therapies have been approved, and several combinations have been studied in dialysis patients. A recently approved, pan‐genotypic, direct‐acting antiviral regimen, glecaprevir and pibrentasvir, may simplify prescribing. The simplicity of these new therapies, with few side effects, makes it possible for nephrologists to treat HCV infection in their patients on dialysis. We review the workflow and motivation behind nephrology‐led management of HCV infection. We highlight the importance of identifying which patients need referral to a hepatologist or HCV specialist prior to treatment and which can be managed by their nephrologist. Nephrologist involvement would lead to improved access to treatment and ensure that appropriate patients are referred for HCV treatment. In this paper, we review the background of HCV infection, its effect on dialysis patients, and impact on kidney transplantation. In addition, we outline the therapy options for each genotype of HCV, and we discuss the benefits and barriers to nephrology‐led HCV treatment.
H-IPSE Is a Pathogen-Secreted Host Nucleus-Infiltrating Protein (Infiltrin) Expressed Exclusively by the Schistosoma haematobium Egg Stage
Authors: Pennington Luke F. , Alouffi Abdulaziz , Mbanefo Evaristus C. , Ray Debalina , Heery David M. , Jardetzky Theodore S. , Hsieh Michael H. , Falcone Franco H. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

Urogenital schistosomiasis, caused by the parasitic trematode
Schistosoma haematobium
, affects over 112 million people worldwide. As with
Schistosoma mansoni
infections, the pathology of urogenital schistosomiasis is related mainly to the egg stage, which induces granulomatous inflammation of affected tissues. Schistosoma eggs and their secretions have been studied extensively for the related organism
S. mansoni
, which is more amenable to laboratory studies. Indeed, we have shown that IPSE/alpha-1 (here M-IPSE), a major protein secreted from
S. mansoni
eggs, can infiltrate host cells. Although the function of M-IPSE is unknown, its ability to translocate to the nuclei of host cells and bind DNA suggests a possible role in immune modulation of host cell tissues. Whether IPSE homologs are expressed in other schistosome species has not been investigated. Here, we describe the cloning of two paralog genes, H03-IPSE and H06-IPSE, which are orthologs of M-IPSE, from egg cDNA of
S. haematobium
. Using PCR and immunodetection, we confirmed that the expression of these genes is restricted to the egg stage and female adult worms, while the H-IPSE protein is detectable only in mature eggs and not adults. We show that both H03-IPSE and H06-IPSE proteins can infiltrate HTB-9 bladder cells when added exogenously to culture medium. Monopartite C-terminal nuclear localization sequence (NLS) motifs conserved in H03-IPSE, SKRRRKY, and H06-IPSE SKRGRKY, are responsible for targeting the proteins to the nucleus of HTB-9 cells, as demonstrated by site-directed mutagenesis and green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagging. Thus,
S. haematobium
eggs express IPSE homologs that appear to perform similar functions in infiltrating host cells.
Cytoplasmic Copper Detoxification in Salmonella Can Contribute to SodC Metalation but Is Dispensable during Systemic Infection
Authors: Fenlon Luke A. , Slauch James M. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium is a leading cause of foodborne disease worldwide. Severe infections result from the ability of
S
. Typhimurium to survive within host immune cells, despite being exposed to various host antimicrobial factors. SodCI, a copper-zinc-cofactored superoxide dismutase, is required to defend against phagocytic superoxide. SodCII, an additional periplasmic superoxide dismutase, although produced during infection, does not function in the host. Previous studies suggested that CueP, a periplasmic copper binding protein, facilitates acquisition of copper by SodCII. CopA and GolT, both inner membrane ATPases that pump copper from the cytoplasm to the periplasm, are a source of copper for CueP. Using
in vitro
SOD assays, we found that SodCI can also utilize CueP to acquire copper. However, both SodCI and SodCII have a significant fraction of activity independent of CueP and cytoplasmic copper export. We utilized a series of mouse competition assays to address the
in vivo
role of CueP-mediated SodC activation. A
copA golT cueP
triple mutant was equally as competitive as the wild type, suggesting that sufficient SodCI is active to defend against phagocytic superoxide independent of CueP and cytoplasmic copper export. We also confirmed that a strain containing a modified SodCII, which is capable of complementing a
sodCI
deletion, was fully virulent in a
copA golT cueP
background competed against the wild type. These competitions also address the potential impact of cytoplasmic copper toxicity within the phagosome. Our data suggest that
Salmonella
does not encounter inhibitory concentrations of copper during systemic infection.

IMPORTANCE
Salmonella
is a leading cause of gastrointestinal disease worldwide. In severe cases,
Salmonella
can cause life-threatening systemic infections, particularly in very young children, the elderly, or people who are immunocompromised. To cause disease,
Salmonella
must survive the hostile environment inside host immune cells, a location in which most bacteria are killed. Our work examines how one particular metal, copper, is acquired by
Salmonella
to activate a protein important for survival within immune cells. At high levels, copper itself can inhibit
Salmonella
. Using a strain of
Salmonella
that cannot detoxify intracellular copper, we also addressed the
in vivo
role of copper as an antimicrobial agent.
The anticipatory stress response to sport competition; a systematic review with meta-analysis of cortisol reactivity
Authors: van Paridon Kjell N , Timmis Matthew A , Nevison Charlotte M , Bristow Matt 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveAthletes anticipating sport competition regularly experience distinct emotional and physiological responses as a result of the expected psychosocial and physical stress. Specifically, cortisol, an indicator of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation, prepares the athlete for the psychological and physiological demands of competition. The objective of this meta-analysis is to analyse the magnitude of the anticipatory cortisol response in athletes preparing to participate in sport competition and to examine the influence of gender, level of competition and data collection time.DesignSystematic review with meta-analysis.Data sourcesFour electronic databases were searched to March 2017: PubMed, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus and Scopus.Eligibility criteria for selecting studies(1) Athletes participating in real sport competition;(2) salivary cortisol concentration collected before competition in addition to baseline sample(s);(3) original research article published in English language.ResultsData from 25 studies provided 27 effect sizes. A significant anticipatory cortisol response of g=0.85, p<0.001 was identified. Males had a stronger trend for greater cortisol reactivity (g=1.07) than females (g=0.56, p=0.07). Females and athletes competing at international level did not demonstrate a significant anticipatory stress response. There were no significant differences between level of competition, type of sport or time of competition. Meta-regression indicated that the anticipatory cortisol response is greater when assessed closer to the start of competition (Q=6.85, p=0.009).Summary/conclusionThe anticipatory cortisol response before sport competition reflects moderate cortisol reactivity that prepares athletes optimally for the demands of sport competition via the influence on cognitive processes and attentional control. However, both female athletes and international competitors did not demonstrate a significant anticipatory cortisol response, possibly due to differences in appraisal of the stress of sport competition.
Immunosurveillance and Immunoediting of Breast Cancer via Class I MHC Receptors
Authors: Tu Megan M. , Rahim Mir Munir A. , Sayed Céline , Mahmoud Ahmad Bakur , Makrigiannis Andrew P. 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Ly49 receptors, which recognize “self” class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I) molecules, enable natural killer (NK) cells to detect loss of MHC-I expression on transformed and virally infected cells. The impact of NK cell–mediated MHC-I surveillance on immunoediting of breast cancer is still not fully understood. This work assesses the impact of Ly49 receptors on tumor development in terms of cancer control and in driving immune-evading cancer mutations. Genetically modified Ly49-deficient mice and those lacking NK cells through antibody depletion were less able to control E0771-derived mammary tumors in an MHC-I–dependent fashion. Similarly, Ly49-deficient MMTV-PyVT–transgenic mice developed spontaneous mammary tumors faster than Ly49-sufficient MMTV-PyVT mice. Fewer CD69+ and granzyme B+ NK cells were detected among the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in Ly49-deficient than in Ly49-sufficient MMTV-PyVT mice. Furthermore, tumors from Ly49-deficient mice displayed reduced MHC-I expression, suggesting that tumors growing in these mice lacked an Ly49-derived pressure to maintain MHC-I expression. These same MHC-I-low tumors from Ly49-deficient mice were unable to flourish when transferred to Ly49-sufficient hosts, confirming that this tumor mutation was in response to an Ly49-deficient environment. This work demonstrates a role for Ly49 receptors in the control of mammary cancer, and provides evidence to support a model of tumor immunoediting, in which selective pressures from the immune system drive immune-evasive cancer mutations. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(11); 1016–28. ©2017 AACR.