bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Population genetic analysis of Giardia duodenalis: genetic diversity and haplotype sharing between clinical and environmental sources
Authors: Durigan Mauricio , Ciampi‐Guillardi Maisa , Rodrigues Ricardo C. A. , Greinert‐Goulart Juliane A. , Siqueira‐Castro Isabel C. V. , Leal Diego A. G. , Yamashiro Sandra , Bonatti Taís R. , Zucchi Maria I. , Franco Regina M. B. , de Souza Anete P. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractGiardia duodenalis is a flagellated intestinal protozoan responsible for infections in various hosts including humans and several wild and domestic animals. Few studies have correlated environmental contamination and clinical infections in the same region. The aim of this study was to compare groups of Giardia duodenalis from clinical and environmental sources through population genetic analyses to verify haplotype sharing and the degree of genetic similarity among populations from clinical and environmental sources in the metropolitan region of Campinas. The results showed high diversity of haplotypes and substantial genetic similarity between clinical and environmental groups of G. duodenalis. We demonstrated sharing of Giardia genotypes among the different populations studied. The comparison between veterinary and human sequences led us to identify new zoonotic genotypes, including human isolates from genetic assemblage C. The application of a population genetic analysis in epidemiological studies allows quantification of the degree of genetic similarity among populations of Giardia duodenalis from different sources of contamination. The genetic similarity of Giardia isolates among human, veterinary, and environmental groups reinforced the correlation between clinical and environmental isolates in this region, which is of great importance for public health.
A Comparison of the Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Cis‐9, Trans‐11 Conjugated Linoleic Acid to Celecoxib in the Collagen‐Induced Arthritis Model
Authors: Olson Jake M. , Haas Alexander W. , Lor Jennifer , McKee Holly S. , Cook Mark E. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractCyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 inhibitors, such as celecoxib, for chronic inflammatory disease are associated with adverse health events, while cis‐9, trans‐11 (c9t11) conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is anti‐inflammatory without adverse events attributed to pure intake. Mechanistically, celecoxib and c9t11 disrupt the arachidonic acid cascade; however, the equivalency of anti‐inflammatory effects between these compounds is unknown. Therefore, to test the hypothesis that 0.5% dietary c9t11 reduces inflammation equivalently to a celecoxib dose intended to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA; 5 mg/kg bw), arthritic mice received diets containing one of the following supplements: 1% corn oil (CO, w/w), 0.5% c9t11 (>91% purity) +0.5% CO, or 1% CO + 0.5, 5, or 50 mg/kg bw celecoxib, and were assessed for changes in arthritic severity over 6 weeks. Overall, arthritic severity in mice fed c9t11 was reduced (34%, P < 0.01) while celecoxib doses (0.5, 5, 50 mg/kg) reduced arthritic severity (16, 56, 48%, respectively) compared to CO‐fed arthritic mice. Linear regression of the celecoxib dose‐response showed 0.5% c9t11 (570 mg/kg bw) reduced arthritic severity equivalently to 1.5 mg/kg celecoxib. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) was increased in paws of arthritic mice fed CO compared to shams, but was decreased in arthritic groups fed 0.5% c9t11 and 5 mg/kg celecoxib, compared to arthritic mice fed CO (Ps ≤ 0.05). Additionally, paw and plasma IL‐10 levels in arthritic mice were decreased by 5 mg/kg celecoxib, but were unaffected by c9t11 compared to CO. Results suggest dietary c9t11 may be an effective adjunct to COX‐2 inhibition for treating chronic inflammation.
Natalizumab for Achieving Relapse-Free, T1 Gadolinium-Enhancing-Lesion-Free, and T2 Lesion-Free Status in Japanese Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Phase 2 Trial Subanalysis
Authors: Saida Takahiko , Kira Jun-Ichi , Kishida Shuji , Yamamura Takashi , Ohtsuka Nobuhisa , Dong Qunming , Tibung J. T. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIntroductionIn a phase 2 trial of natalizumab in Japanese patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), treatment-related changes in relapses, brain lesions, and disability worsening were found to be comparable with those observed in the phase 3 studies of natalizumab in primarily non-Asian RRMS patients.MethodsThis subanalysis of the placebo-controlled phase 2 trial of natalizumab in Japanese RRMS patients (n = 94) evaluated the effects of natalizumab versus placebo on the proportion of patients who achieved relapse-free, T1 gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) lesion-free, and new/newly enlarged T2 lesion-free status, defined as “no evidence of inflammatory disease activity” (NEDA)–like status, after 24 weeks of treatment.ResultsIn this subanalysis, significantly more natalizumab-treated than placebo-treated patients achieved NEDA-like status (76.6% vs. 31.9%;P < 0.0001). In addition, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for patients on natalizumab to reach NEDA-like status was 6.98 (2.80–17.38) compared with placebo patients.ConclusionThese results confirm previous findings indicating that natalizumab is efficacious in Japanese patients with RRMS.FundingBiogen.Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01440101.
On the evolution of topology in dynamic clique complexes
Authors: Thoppe Gugan C. , Yogeshwaran D. , Adler Robert J. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe consider a time varying analogue of the Erdős–Rényi graph and study the topological variations of its associated clique complex. The dynamics of the graph are stationary and are determined by the edges, which evolve independently as continuous-time Markov chains. Our main result is that when the edge inclusion probability is of the formp=nα, wherenis the number of vertices and α∈(-1/k, -1/(k+ 1)), then the process of the normalisedkth Betti number of these dynamic clique complexes converges weakly to the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process asn→∞.
Strategisches Verhalten in der Personalauswahl
Authors: Kanning Uwe P. 
Published: January 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht erstmals differenziert konkrete Strategien, die Bewerber in der Phase der Vorbereitung sowie der Durchführung von Auswahlverfahren einsetzen. In einer Befragung von 999 Personen wird sowohl nach der Einstellung bezüglich derartiger Strategien als auch nach deren Umsetzung bezogen auf Bewerbungsunterlagen, Einstellungsinterview, Testverfahren und Assessment Center gefragt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine Mehrheit der Bewerber in starkem Maße strategisch agiert. In der Vorbereitungsphase bezieht sich dies insbesondere auf die Sichtung von Ratgeberliteratur und den Austausch mit Freunden / Bekannten. Bewerbungstrainings haben demgegenüber eine untergeordnete Bedeutung. Bei der Verfassung von Bewerbungsunterlagen greift die Mehrheit unter anderem auf Vorlagen zurück, die nur noch angepasst werden. Im Einstellungsinterview wird unter anderem die Darstellung der eigenen Stärken an die Stellenanforderungen angepasst. Fast alle Befragten wenden wenigstens eine Strategie an. Bewerber, die sich in den letzten fünf Jahren beworben haben, agieren insgesamt aktiver als Personen, deren letzte Bewerbung länger zurückliegt.
The mito-DAMP cardiolipin blocks IL-10 production causing persistent inflammation during bacterial pneumonia
Authors: Chakraborty Krishnendu , Raundhal Mahesh , Chen Bill B. , Morse Christina , Tyurina Yulia Y. , Khare Anupriya , Oriss Timothy B. , Huff Rachael , Lee Janet S. , St. Croix Claudette M. , Watkins Simon , Mallampalli Rama K. , Kagan Valerian E. , Ray Anuradha , Ray Prabir 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBacterial pneumonia is a significant healthcare burden worldwide. Failure to resolve inflammation after infection precipitates lung injury and an increase in morbidity and mortality. Gram-negative bacteria are common in pneumonia and increased levels of the mito-damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) cardiolipin can be detected in the lungs. Here we show that mice infected withKlebsiella pneumoniaedevelop lung injury with accumulation of cardiolipin. Cardiolipin inhibits resolution of inflammation by suppressing production of anti-inflammatory IL-10 by lung CD11b+Ly6GintLy6CloF4/80+cells. Cardiolipin induces PPARγ SUMOylation, which causes recruitment of a repressive NCOR/HDAC3 complex to the IL-10 promoter, but not the TNF promoter, thereby tipping the balance towards inflammation rather than resolution. Inhibition of HDAC activity by sodium butyrate enhances recruitment of acetylated histone 3 to the IL-10 promoter and increases the concentration of IL-10 in the lungs. These findings identify a mechanism of persistent inflammation during pneumonia and indicate the potential of HDAC inhibition as a therapy.
Development of microsatellite markers and estimation of inbreeding frequency in the parasitoid wasp Melittobia
Authors: Abe Jun , Pannebakker Bart A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe parasitoid waspMelittobiais an important insect for basic and applied biology. Specifically, their extremely female-biased sex ratios, which contrast to the prediction of pre-existing theories, are needed to be explained from the aspect of evolutionary biology. In this study, using next-generation sequencing, 20 microsatellite loci were developed and characterized forM. australica. The developed loci were used to analyze two populations, one from a mainland Japan and one from the Okinawa island region. Both populations showed a smaller observed heterozygosity than expected, and a high inbreeding coefficient. Deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were recorded for the majority of the 20 loci, suggesting that both the populations are subdivided due to inbreeding as is expected by the reproductive biology inMelittobia. The sib-mating frequency in the two populations was calculated as 0.873 and 0.996, which is higher than the values estimated by the number of females observed in a host cocoon or cell, implying that closely related females lay eggs on a host. The microsatellite loci developed in this study can be used for more comprehensive analyses to identify genetic structure in natural populations for understanding their sex allocation behavior and for more generally evolutionary and population genetic studies.
Sex- and age-dependent patterns of survival and breeding success in a long-lived endangered avian scavenger
Authors: Sanz-Aguilar Ana , Cortés-Avizanda Ainara , Serrano David , Blanco Guillermo , Ceballos Olga , Grande Juan M. , Tella José L. , Donázar José A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIn long-lived species, the age-, stage- and/or sex-dependent patterns of survival and reproduction determine the evolution of life history strategies, the shape of the reproductive value, and ultimately population dynamics. We evaluate the combined effects of age and sex in recruitment, breeder survival and breeding success of the globally endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), using 31-years of exhaustive data on marked individuals in Spain. Mean age of first reproduction was 7-yrs for both sexes, but females showed an earlier median and a larger variance than males. We found an age-related improvement in breeding success at the population level responding to the selective appearance and disappearance of phenotypes of different quality but unrelated to within-individual aging effects. Old males (≥8 yrs) showed a higher survival than both young males (≤7 yrs) and females, these later in turn not showing aging effects. Evolutionary trade-offs between age of recruitment and fitness (probably related to costs of territory acquisition and defense) as well as human-related mortality may explain these findings. Sex- and age-related differences in foraging strategies and susceptibility to toxics could be behind the relatively low survival of females and young males, adding a new concern for the conservation of this endangered species.
Deubiquitylation of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) by ubiquitin-specific peptidase 15 (USP15) increases HBx stability and its transactivation activity
Authors: Su Zhi-Jun , Cao Jia-Shou , Wu Yan-Fang , Chen Wan-Nan , Lin Xinjian , Wu Yun-Li , Lin Xu 
Published: January 2017

AbstractHepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) plays important roles in viral replication and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. HBx is a rapid turnover protein and ubiquitin-proteasome pathway has been suggested to influence HBx stability as treatment with proteasome inhibitors increases the levels of HBx protein and causes accumulation of the polyubiquitinated forms of HBx. Deubiquitinases (DUBs) are known to act by removing ubiquitin moieties from proteins and thereby reverse their stability and/or activity. However, no information is available regarding the involvement of DUBs in regulation of ubiquitylation-dependent proteasomal degradation of HBx protein. This study identified the deubiquitylating enzyme USP15 as a critical regulator of HBx protein level. USP15 was found to directly interact with HBx via binding to the HBx region between amino acid residues 51 and 80. USP15 increased HBx protein levels in a dose-dependent manner and siRNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous USP15 reduced HBx protein levels. Increased HBx stability and steady-state level by USP15 were attributable to reduced HBx ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Importantly, the transcriptional transactivation function of HBx is enhanced by overexpression of USP15. These results suggest that USP15 plays an essential role in stabilizing HBx and subsequently affects the biological function of HBx.
Actin-Interacting Protein 1 Contributes to Intranuclear Rod Assembly in Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Ishikawa-Ankerhold Hellen C. , Daszkiewicz Wioleta , Schleicher Michael , Müller-Taubenberger Annette 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIntranuclear rods are aggregates consisting of actin and cofilin that are formed in the nucleus in consequence of chemical or mechanical stress conditions. The formation of rods is implicated in a variety of pathological conditions, such as certain myopathies and some neurological disorders. It is still not well understood what exactly triggers the formation of intranuclear rods, whether other proteins are involved, and what the underlying mechanisms of rod assembly or disassembly are. In this study, Dictyostelium discoideum was used to examine appearance, stages of assembly, composition, stability, and dismantling of rods. Our data show that intranuclear rods, in addition to actin and cofilin, are composed of a distinct set of other proteins comprising actin-interacting protein 1 (Aip1), coronin (CorA), filactin (Fia), and the 34 kDa actin-bundling protein B (AbpB). A finely tuned spatio-temporal pattern of protein recruitment was found during formation of rods. Aip1 is important for the final state of rod compaction indicating that Aip1 plays a major role in shaping the intranuclear rods. In the absence of both Aip1 and CorA, rods are not formed in the nucleus, suggesting that a sufficient supply of monomeric actin is a prerequisite for rod formation.
Antiproliferative Effects of 1α-OH-vitD3 in Malignant Melanoma: Potential Therapeutic implications
Authors: Spath Lucia , Ulivieri Alessandra , Lavra Luca , Fidanza Laura , Carlesimo Marta , Giubettini Maria , Narcisi Alessandra , Luciani Emidio , Bucci Barbara , Pisani Daniela , Sciacchitano Salvatore , Bartolazzi Armando 
Published: January 2017

AbstractEarly detection and surgery represent the mainstay of treatment for superficial melanoma, but for high risk lesions (Breslow’s thickness >0.75 mm) an effective adjuvant therapy is lacking. Vitamin D insufficiency plays a relevant role in cancer biology. The biological effects of 1α hydroxycholecalciferol on experimental melanoma models were investigated. 105 melanoma patients were checked for 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (circulating vitamin D) serum levels. Human derived melanoma cell lines and in vivo xenografts were used for studying 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol-mediated biological effects on cell proliferation and tumor growth. 99 out of 105 (94%) melanoma patients had insufficient 25-hydroxycholecalciferol serum levels. Interestingly among the six with vitamin D in the normal range, five had a diagnosis of in situ/microinvasive melanoma. Treatment with 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol induced antiproliferative effects on melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo, modulating the expression of cell cycle key regulatory molecules. Cell cycle arrest in G1 or G2 phase was invariably observed in vitamin D treated melanoma cells. The antiproliferative activity induced by 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol in experimental melanoma models, together with the discovery of insufficient 25-hydroxycholecalciferol serum levels in melanoma patients, provide the rationale for using vitamin D in melanoma adjuvant therapy, alone or in association with other therapeutic options.
Microwave-synthesized freestanding iron-carbon nanotubes on polyester composites of woven Kevlar fibre and silver nanoparticle-decorated graphene
Authors: Hazarika Ankita , Deka Biplab K. , Kim DoYoung , Kong Kyungil , Park Young-Bin , Park Hyung Wook 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe synthesized Ag nanoparticle-decorated multilayered graphene nanosheets (Ag-graphene) from graphite nanoplatelets and silver nitrate through 90–100 s of microwave exposure, without the use of any mineral acids or harsh reducing agents. Fe nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanotubes (Fe-CNTs) were grown on polypyrrole (PPy) deposited on woven Kevlar fibre (WKF), using ferrocene as a catalyst, under microwave irradiation. Fe-CNTs grown on WKF and Ag-graphene dispersed in polyester resin (PES) were combined to fabricate Ag-graphene/Fe-CNT/PPy-coated WKF/PES composites by vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding. The combined effect of Fe-CNTs and Ag-graphene in the resulting composites resulted in a remarkable enhancement of tensile properties (a 192.56% increase in strength and 100.64% increase in modulus) as well as impact resistance (a 116.33% increase). The electrical conductivity significantly increased for Ag-graphene/Fe-CNT/PPy-coated WKF/PES composites. The effectiveness of electromagnetic interference shielding, which relies strongly on the Ag-graphene content in the composites, was 25 times higher in Ag-graphene/Fe-CNT/PPy-coated WKF/PES than in neat WKF/PES composites. The current work offers a novel route for fabricating highly promising, cost effective WKF/PES composites through microwave-assisted synthesis of Fe-CNTs and Ag-graphene.
Scale-up of nature’s tissue weaving algorithms to engineer advanced functional materials
Authors: Ng Joanna L. , Knothe Lillian E. , Whan Renee M. , Knothe Ulf , Tate Melissa L. Knothe 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe are literally the stuff from which our tissue fabrics and their fibers are woven and spun. The arrangement of collagen, elastin and other structural proteins in space and time embodies our tissues and organs with amazing resilience and multifunctional smart properties. For example, the periosteum, a soft tissue sleeve that envelops all nonarticular bony surfaces of the body, comprises an inherently “smart” material that gives hard bones added strength under high impact loads. Yet a paucity of scalable bottom-up approaches stymies the harnessing of smart tissues’ biological, mechanical and organizational detail to create advanced functional materials. Here, a novel approach is established to scale up the multidimensional fiber patterns of natural soft tissue weaves for rapid prototyping of advanced functional materials. First second harmonic generation and two-photon excitation microscopy is used to map the microscopic three-dimensional (3D) alignment, composition and distribution of the collagen and elastin fibers of periosteum, the soft tissue sheath bounding all nonarticular bone surfaces in our bodies. Then, using engineering rendering software to scale up this natural tissue fabric, as well as multidimensional weaving algorithms, macroscopic tissue prototypes are created using a computer-controlled jacquard loom. The capacity to prototype scaled up architectures of natural fabrics provides a new avenue to create advanced functional materials.
Enhancing the Detection of Dysmorphic Red Blood Cells and Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells with a Modified Urinalysis Protocol
Authors: Chu-Su Yu , Shukuya Kenichi , Yokoyama Takashi , Lin Wei-Chou , Chiang Chih-Kang , Lin Chii-Wann 
Published: January 2017

AbstractUrinary sediment is used to evaluate patients with possible urinary tract diseases. Currently, numerous protocols are applied to detect dysmorphic red blood cells (RBCs) and renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) in urinary sediment. However, distinct protocols are used by nephrologists and medical technologists for specimen concentration and observation, which leads to major discrepancies in the differential counts of formed elements such as dysmorphic RBCs and RTECs and might interfere with an accurate clinical diagnosis. To resolve these problems, we first tested a modified urinalysis protocol with an increased relative centrifuge force and concentration factor in 20 biopsy-confirmed glomerulonephritis patients with haematuria. We successfully improved the recovery ratio of dysmorphic RBCs in clinical specimens from 34.7% to 42.0% (P < 0.001). Furthermore, we confirmed the correlation between counts by the modified urinary protocol and Sysmex UF-1000i urinary flow cytometer (r ≥ 0.898, P < 0.001). A total of 28 types of isomorphic and dysmorphic RBCs were detected using a bright field microscope, with results comparable to those using a standard phase contrast microscope. Finally, we applied Sternheimer stain to enhance the contrast of RTECs in the urinary sediments. We concluded that this modified urinalysis protocol significantly enhanced the quality of urinalysis.
MicroRNA-155 is upregulated in ascites in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Authors: Lutz Philipp , M´haimid Mohamed , Pohlmann Alessandra , Lehmann Jennifer , Jansen Christian , Schierwagen Robert , Klein Sabine , Strassburg Christian P. , Spengler Ulrich , Trebicka Jonel 
Published: January 2017

AbstractMircoRNA’s (miR) have been recognised as important modulators of gene expression and potential biomarkers. However, they have been rarely investigated in bio fluids apart from blood. We investigated the association of miR-125b and miR-155 with complications of cirrhosis. Ascites was prospectively collected from patients with cirrhosis undergoing paracentesis at our department. miR’s were determined in the supernatant using qPCR and normalized by SV-40. Clinical parameters were assessed at paracentesis and during follow-up. 76 specimens from 72 patients were analysed. MiR’s were not associated to age, sex or aetiology of cirrhosis. MiR-125b levels differed between patients with low and high MELD score, and miR-125b levels showed an inverse correlation to serum creatinine (r2 = −0.23; p = 0.05). MiR-155 was elevated in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) (n = 10; p = 0.04). MiR-155 levels differed between patients with and without 30-day survival (p = 0.02). No association of ascites levels of investigated miR’s to size of varices, episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding or hepatorenal syndrome was observed. While miR-125b levels in ascites seem to be associated with liver and renal dysfunction, miR-155 might be implicated in local immune response in SBP.