bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of a triclosan toothpaste on periodontopathic bacteria and periodontitis progression in cardiovascular patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Seymour G. J. , Palmer J. E. , Leishman S. J. , Do H. L. , Westerman B. , Carle A. D. , Faddy M. J. , West M. J. , Cullinan M. P. 
Published: March 2016

Background and ObjectiveTriclosan/copolymer toothpaste is effective in controlling plaque and gingivitis and in slowing the progression of periodontitis. This study describes its influence on microbiological and clinical outcomes, over a 5‐year period, in patients with established cardiovascular disease (CVD).Material and MethodsFour‐hundred and thirty‐eight patients were recruited from the Cardiovascular Unit at The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, and randomized to triclosan or placebo groups. Six sites per tooth were examined annually for probing pocket depth and loss of attachment. These outcomes were analysed, using generalized linear modelling, in 381 patients who had measurements from consecutive examinations. Concurrent load of the periodontal pathogens Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Tannerella forsythia and Porphyromonas gingivalis was determined, using quantitative real‐time PCR, in 437 patients with baseline plaque samples. Group comparisons were expressed as geometric means. The chi‐square test was used to test for differences between the two groups of patients with regard to the proportion of patients with different numbers of bacterial species.ResultsThere was no difference in general health or periodontal status between the groups at baseline. There was a significant reduction in the number of interproximal sites showing loss of attachment between examinations, by 21% on average (p < 0.01), in the triclosan group compared with the placebo group. The prevalence of patients with F. nucleatum and A. actinomycetemcomitans was high and remained relatively constant throughout the 5 years of the study. In contrast, the prevalence of T. forsythia and P. gingivalis showed more variability; however, there was no significant difference between the groups, at any time point, in the prevalence of any organism. A significant difference in the geometric means for P. gingivalis (p = 0.01) was seen at years 1 and 4, and for F. nucleatum (p = 0.01) and in the total bacterial load (p = 0.03) at year 2; however, these differences were not statistically significant following a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. There was no difference between the groups in the geometric means for each organism at year 5.ConclusionWithin the limitations of the study, these data suggest that the use of triclosan/copolymer toothpaste significantly slowed the progression of periodontitis in patients with CVD but that it had little influence on key subgingival periodontopathic bacteria in these patients over the 5 years of the study.
Evaluation of capsule endoscopy to detect mucosal lesions associated with gastrointestinal bleeding in dogs
Authors: Davignon D. L. , Lee A. C. Y. , Johnston A. N. , Bowman D. D. , Simpson K. W. 
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to examine the utility of capsule endoscopy to detect mucosal abnormalities in dogs with gastrointestinal haemorrhage.METHODSCapsules were administered to 2 healthy controls and 8 patients with gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Images were evaluated for quality, gastric emptying time, small intestinal transit time and presence of lesions.RESULTSThere were no adverse effects of capsule endoscopy in dogs weighing from 7·7 to 58 kg. The capsule traversed the entire gastrointestinal tract in 5 of 8 patients, with high quality images obtained in the stomach and small intestine. Gastric emptying time and small intestinal transit time ranged from 1 to 270 and 15 to 180 minutes, respectively. In 3 of 8 patients, the capsule remained in the stomach despite pro‐kinetics. Gastric lesions included mild haemorrhage and pinpoint erosion (4 of 8), a mass (1) and thickened bleeding pyloric mucosa (2). Two of 3 dogs with capsule retention had gastric lesions. Intestinal lesions included a healing duodenal ulcer, abnormal villi, ileal ulceration and colonic bleeding. Lesions identified by capsule endoscopy were considered a significant source of haemorrhage in 4 of 7 dogs with active bleeding. The relevance of pinpoint gastric mucosal erosions to blood loss is unclear.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCECapsule endoscopy can enable the non‐invasive detection of gastric and small intestinal mucosal lesions in dogs presenting for evaluation of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Strengthening health services to deliver nutrition education to promote complementary feeding and healthy growth of infants and young children: formative research for a successful intervention in peri‐urban Trujillo, Peru
Authors: Robert Rebecca C. , Creed‐Kanashiro Hilary M. , Villasante Ruben , Narro M. Rocio , Penny Mary E. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractFormative research is critical for developing effective nutrition‐specific interventions to improve infant and young child (IYC) feeding practices and promote healthy growth. Health workers interact with caregivers during health facility visits, yet there is limited research about how to optimize delivery of such interventions during these visits. The extensive reach of IYC health services globally calls for research to address this gap. In Trujillo, Peru, formative research was conducted to explore complementary feeding practices with caregivers as well as health worker routines and interactions with caregivers related to feeding and healthy growth; results informed the development and delivery of an educational intervention. Multiple qualitative methods were used to collect data on a purposive sample of health workers and caregivers from three health facilities and communities: household trials followed. Complementary feeding messages with doable behaviours were developed, and three were selected as key to promote based on their nutritional impact and cultural acceptability. In the health facilities, medical consultation, well‐child visits and nutrition consultation all dealt with aspects of IYC nutrition/growth during their interactions with caregivers but were independent and inconsistent in approach. A nutrition education strategy was developed based on consistency, quality and coverage in the IYC health services. We conclude that formative research undertaken in the community and IYC health services was critical to developing a successful and culturally relevant intervention to promote optimal complementary feeding practices and healthy growth during interactions between health workers and caregivers at routine health facility visits. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Suppression of a deletion mutation in the gene encoding essential PBP2b reveals a new lytic transglycosylase involved in peripheral peptidoglycan synthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae D39
Authors: Tsui Ho‐Ching Tiffany , Zheng Jiaqi J. , Magallon Ariel N. , Ryan John D. , Yunck Rachel , Rued Britta E. , Bernhardt Thomas G. , Winkler Malcolm E. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryIn ellipsoid‐shaped ovococcus bacteria, such as the pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), side‐wall (peripheral) peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis emanates from midcells and is catalyzed by the essential class B penicillin‐binding protein PBP2b transpeptidase (TP). We report that mutations that inactivate the pneumococcal YceG‐domain protein, Spd_1346 (renamed MltG), remove the requirement for PBP2b. ΔmltG mutants in unencapsulated strains accumulate inactivation mutations of class A PBP1a, which possesses TP and transglycosylase (TG) activities. The ‘synthetic viable’ genetic relationship between Δpbp1a and ΔmltG mutations extends to essential ΔmreCD and ΔrodZ mutations that misregulate peripheral PG synthesis. Remarkably, the single MltG(Y488D) change suppresses the requirement for PBP2b, MreCD, RodZ and RodA. Structural modeling and comparisons, catalytic‐site changes and an interspecies chimera indicate that pneumococcal MltG is the functional homologue of the recently reported MltG endo‐lytic transglycosylase of Escherichia coli. Depletion of pneumococcal MltG or mltG(Y488D) increases sphericity of cells, and MltG localizes with peripheral PG synthesis proteins during division. Finally, growth of Δpbp1a ΔmltG or mltG(Y488D) mutants depends on induction of expression of the WalRK TCS regulon of PG hydrolases. These results fit a model in which MltG releases anchored PG glycan strands synthesized by PBP1a for crosslinking by a PBP2b:RodA complex in peripheral PG synthesis.
Genotyping‐by‐sequencing‐based genome‐wide association studies on Verticillium wilt resistance in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.)
Authors: Yu Long‐Xi , Zheng Ping , Zhang Tiejun , Rodringuez Jonas , Main Dorrie 
Published: March 2016

SummaryVerticillium wilt (VW) is a fungal disease that causes severe yield losses in alfalfa. The most effective method to control the disease is through the development and use of resistant varieties. The identification of marker loci linked to VW resistance can facilitate breeding for disease‐resistant alfalfa. In the present investigation, we applied an integrated framework of genome‐wide association with genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) to identify VW resistance loci in a panel of elite alfalfa breeding lines. Phenotyping was performed by manual inoculation of the pathogen to healthy seedlings, and scoring for disease resistance was carried out according to the standard test of the North America Alfalfa Improvement Conference (NAAIC). Marker–trait association by linkage disequilibrium identified 10 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers significantly associated with VW resistance. Alignment of the SNP marker sequences to theM. truncatulagenome revealed multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Three, two, one and five markers were located on chromosomes 5, 6, 7 and 8, respectively. Resistance loci found on chromosomes 7 and 8 in the present study co‐localized with the QTLs reported previously. A pairwise alignment (blastn) using the flanking sequences of the resistance loci against theM. truncatulagenome identified potential candidate genes with putative disease resistance function. With further investigation, these markers may be implemented into breeding programmes using marker‐assisted selection, ultimately leading to improved VW resistance in alfalfa.
Diversity and origins of Indian multi‐triazole resistant strains of Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Chang Howard , Ashu Eta , Sharma Cheshta , Kathuria Shallu , Chowdhary Anuradha , Xu Jianping 
Published: March 2016

SummaryAspergillus fumigatus is a widespread opportunistic fungal pathogen causing an alarmingly high mortality rate in immunocompromised patients. Nosocomial infections by drug‐resistant A. fumigatus strains are of particular concern, and there is a pressing need to understand the origin, dispersal and long‐term evolution of drug resistance in this organism. The objective of this study was to investigate the diversity and putative origins of triazole resistance of A. fumigatus from India. Eighty‐nine isolates, including 51 multiple triazole resistant (MTR) isolates and 38 azole‐susceptible isolates, were genotyped using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), mating typing and PCR fingerprinting. MLST resolved the 51 MTR isolates into three genotypes, two of which have susceptible counterparts, suggesting that MTR isolates originated multiple times in India. The multiple‐origin hypothesis was further supported by the diversity of sequences at the triazole target gene CYP51A among the MTR isolates, and by PCR fingerprints. Interestingly, there is abundant evidence for mating and recombination in natural population of A. fumigatus in India, suggesting that sexual spread of TR34/L98H, the dominant MTR allele, is possible. Our results call for greater attention to MTR in A. fumigatus and for better management of antifungal drug use.
Adjuvant antifungal therapy using tissue tolerable plasma on oral mucosa and removable dentures in oral candidiasis patients: a randomised double‐blinded split‐mouth pilot study
Authors: Preissner Saskia , Kastner Isabell , Schütte Eyke , Hartwig Stefan , Schmidt‐Westhausen Andrea Maria , Paris Sebastian , Preissner Robert , Hertel Moritz 
Published: March 2016

SummaryExtended use of antimycotics in oral candidiasis therapy gives rise to problems related to fungal drug resistance. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the efficacy of tissue tolerable plasma (TTP) in denture stomatitis patients. It was hypothesised that (I): erythema and (IIa): complaint remission would be accelerated and (IIb): colony forming unit (CFU) reduction would be improved. The halves of the upper jaws of eight patients were randomly assigned to control (nystatin, chlorhexidine and placebo treatment) and test sides (nystatin, chlorhexidine and TTP administered six times each 7 days). The patients and the investigators, who were different from the therapists, were both blinded. Compared to the control sides, the erythema surface was reduced significantly more extensively on the test sides between 2 and 6 weeks of antifungal therapy (P ≤ 0.05). Visual analogue scale values and the frequency of moderate or heavy growth of Candida post‐treatment did not differ significantly between both sides (P > 0.05). The primary hypothesis was confirmed, which may be interpreted as an accelerated remission. As drug therapy is usually limited to the time in which signs of infection are present, TTP might help reducing antifungal use. Even though the secondary hypotheses were not confirmed, persistence of Candida might be only colonisation.
Whole‐genome duplications followed by tandem duplications drive diversification of the protein modifier SUMO in Angiosperms
Authors: Hammoudi Valentin , Vlachakis Georgios , Schranz M. Eric , van den Burg Harrold A. 
Published: March 2016

Summary

The ubiquitin‐like modifier (UBL) SUMO (Small Ubiquitin‐Like Modifier) regulates protein function. Structural rather than sequence homology typifies UBL families. However, individual UBL types, such as SUMO, show remarkable sequence conservation. Selection pressure also operates at the SUMO gene copy number, as increased SUMO levels activate immunity and alter flowering time in Arabidopsis.

We show how, despite this selection pressure, the SUMO family has diversified into eight paralogues in Arabidopsis. Relationships between the paralogues were investigated using genome collinearity and gene tree analysis. We show that palaeopolyploidy followed by tandem duplications allowed expansion and then diversification of the SUMO genes.

For example, Arabidopsis SUMO5 evolved from the pan‐eudicot palaeohexaploidy event (gamma), which yielded three SUMO copies. Two gamma copies were preserved as archetype SUMOs, suggesting subfunctionalization, whereas the third copy served as a hotspot for SUMO diversification.

The Brassicaceae‐specific alpha duplication then caused the duplication of one archetype gamma copy, which, by subfunctionalization, allowed the retention of both SUMO1 and SUMO2. The other archetype gamma copy was simultaneously pseudogenized (SUMO4/6). A tandem duplication of SUMO2 subsequently yielded SUMO3 in the Brassicaceae crown group. SUMO3 potentially neofunctionalized in Arabidopsis, but it is lost in many Brassicaceae. Our advanced methodology allows the study of the birth and fixation of other paralogues in plants.
A bacterial‐biofilm‐induced oral osteolytic infection can be successfully treated by immuno‐targeting an extracellular nucleoid‐associated protein
Authors: Freire M.O. , Devaraj A. , Young A. , Navarro J.B. , Downey J.S. , Chen C. , Bakaletz L.O. , Zadeh H.H. , Goodman S.D. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryPeriodontal disease exemplifies a chronic and recurrent infection with a necessary biofilm component. Mucosal inflammation is a hallmark response of the host seen in chronic diseases, such as colitis, gingivitis, and periodontitis (and the related disorder peri‐implantitis). We have taken advantage of our recently developed rat model of human peri‐implantitis that recapitulates osteolysis, the requirement of biofilm formation, and the perpetuation of the bona fide disease state, to test a new therapeutic modality with two novel components. First we used hyperimmune antiserum directed against the DNABII family of proteins, now known to be a critical component of the extracellular matrix of bacterial biofilms. Second we delivered the antiserum as cargo in biodegradable microspheres to the site of the biofilm infection. We demonstrated that delivery of a single dose of anti‐DNABII in poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres induced significant resolution of experimental peri‐implantitis, including marked reduction of inflammation. These data support the continued development of a DNABII protein‐targeted therapeutic for peri‐implantitis and other chronic inflammatory pathologies of the oral cavity in animals and humans.
Genetic evaluation and selection index in tetraploidBrachiaria ruziziensis
Authors: Simeão Rosangela , Silva Adriane , Valle Cacilda , Resende Marcos Deon , Medeiros Sérgio 
Published: March 2016

AbstractHalf‐sib progenies of congo signal grass (Brachiaria ruziziensisGermain & Evrard, syn.:B. eminii,Urochloa ruziziensis) were analysed using a mixed model methodology. The objective was to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters, predict individual genetic values, estimate correlations between characters associated with biomass production and forage nutritive value and use this information to determine the economic weights to compare three multiplicative selection indices. Individual narrow‐sense heritabilities corrected for inbreeding varied from 0.14 to 0.91 for characters associated with biomass production and from 0.04 a 0.24 for nutritional value characters. The correlations among characters associated with annual biomass production were of high magnitude. In contrast, biomass production characters were negatively correlated with crude protein, acid detergent fibre and lignin. Total dry matter yield, crude protein and regrowth ability were weighted separately in evaluations during wet and dry season or annually in selection indices. Index that considered characters annually resulted in better distribution of forage production along the year than indices that separated wet and dry season production.
ZY‐3 Block adjustment supported by glas laser altimetry data
Authors: Li Guoyuan , Tang Xinming , Gao Xiaoming , Wang Huabin , Wang Yu 
Published: March 2016

AbstractZY‐3 is the first Chinese civilian high‐resolution stereo‐mapping satellite, designed for 1:50 000 scale mapping. Although ZY‐3 has a very high accuracy for direct image geolocation without ground control points (GCPs), the use of some GCPs is still indispensable for stereo mapping. A novel method is proposed whereby spaceborne Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) laser altimetry datasets are viewed as generalised height control points to support a ZY‐3 block adjustment. This method separates planimetric and height control, integrating the latter with GLAS data such that, without other GCPs, the vertical accuracy of ZY‐3 images can be improved significantly. Both flat and mountainous terrain were selected to evaluate the proposed method. The results show that by adding two GLAS height control points for a single image, or spaced every 50 km in the along‐track (orbital) direction for block images, the vertical accuracy can satisfy the requirements of 1:50 000 scale mapping, thus reducing the need for field surveying. Additionally, the method will be valuable for integrating spaceborne laser altimetry data and optical images for global mapping without any GCPs.
Follicle Diameter and Systemic Hormone Interrelationships during Induction of Follicle Collapse with Intrafollicular Prostaglandin E2 and F2α in Mares
Authors: Martínez‐Boví R , Cuervo‐Arango J 
Published: March 2016

ContentsThe objectives were to determine: (i) whether intrafollicular administration of PGE2 and PGF2α to mares would hasten follicle collapse and (ii) the differences in reproductive hormone characteristics in mares with spontaneous and prostaglandin‐induced follicle collapses. Six mares were followed for two oestrous cycles each: when the mares reached a follicle diameter of 30–35 mm and showed mild‐to‐moderate endometrial oedema, mares were administered a single 0.5 ml dose containing 500 μg PGE2 and 125 μg PGF2α (treatment cycle) or a placebo (0.5 ml of water for injection; control cycle) into the preovulatory follicle (Hour 0). Blood samples were collected, and serial ultrasound examinations were performed until follicle collapse. Treated mares showed follicle collapse significantly earlier (20.0 ± 5.9 h) than the control mares (72.0 ± 10.7 h). The LH, progesterone, total oestrogens and oestradiol concentrations did not differ between groups; however, the progesterone concentration increased more between 48 and 72 h after follicle injection in the treatment compared to the control cycles (P < 0.05). In conclusion, intrafollicular treatment with PGE2 and PGF2α hastened follicle collapse in mares without the simultaneous use of an inductor of ovulation; despite the early induction of follicle collapse, the profiles of LH and oestradiol were not altered. This study provides information on the role of prostaglandins (PGs) in the process of follicle wall rupture and collapse and suggests that this may happen even before the beginning of the sharp rise in circulating LH at the final stage of the ovulatory surge.
The Appalachian ‘Other’: Academic Approaches to the Study of Serpent‐handling Sects
Authors: Gray‐Hildenbrand Jenna 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSerpent‐handling sects are often portrayed in the media as bizarre Southern cults whose members engage in dangerous primitive rituals. The fact that a religious ritual identified as existing outside the normative boundaries of Christianity, and perhaps religion in general, defines this Christian tradition marks serpent‐handling sects as abnormal or ‘other’. Consequently, scholars investigating why these Christians handle poisonous snakes during religious services must address the boundary between ‘abnormal’ and ‘normal’ religion, the ‘norm’ and the ‘other’. This essay surveys the multi‐disciplinary literature on serpent‐handling sects with a particular eye toward the ways scholars both negotiate and perpetuate this boundary.