bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Note on using nuclear 28S rDNA for sequencing ancient and strongly degraded insect DNA
Authors: Büsse Sebastian , von Grumbkow Philipp , Mazanec Janine , Tröster Gert , Hummel Susanne , Hörnschemeyer Thomas 
Published: December 2016

AbstractA protocol using insect specimens or parts thereof allows for sequencing of sections of nuclear 28S rDNA. In the present note it is demonstrated that this protocol can readily be applied to strongly degraded DNA (ancient, fixed or contaminated). Primers that are specifically designed to discriminate against human DNA but also other non‐arthropod species are tested on a range of species covering all insect groups (59 insect species from all 33 orders). Additionally, the samples represent a selection of various, mostly DNA‐degrading, preservation methods, including the most common fixatives used for morphological investigations and for long‐term storage in collections. Successful amplification was possible for all tested samples including ca. 200 year‐old dried museum specimens as well as for over 4000 year‐old fossil insects embedded in copal. When the NCBI database contained information on the tested species an unambiguous taxonomic discrimination was possible. This approach is based on a standardized protocol that guarantees easy application. This note presents primer pairs for 28S rDNA that can be a useful tool for ancient DNA (aDNA) research.
Measuring the quality of haemophilia care across different settings: a set of performance indicators derived from demographics data
Authors: Iorio A. , Stonebraker J. S. , Brooker M. , Soucie J. M. ,   the Data and Demographics Committee of the World Federation of Hemophilia
Published: December 2016

BackgroundHaemophilia is a rare disease for which quality of care varies around the world. We propose data‐driven indicators as surrogate measures for the provision of haemophilia care across countries and over time.Materials and methodsThe guiding criteria for selection of possible indicators were ease of calculation and direct applicability to a wide range of countries with basic data collection capacities. General population epidemiological data and haemophilia A population data from the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) Annual Global Survey (AGS) for the years 2013 and 2010 in a sample of 10 countries were used for this pilot exercise.ResultsThree indicators were identified: (i) the percentage difference between the observed and the expected haemophilia A incidence, which would be close to null when all of the people with haemophilia A (PWHA) theoretically expected in a country would be known and reported to the AGS; (ii) the percentage of the total number of PWHA with severe disease; and (iii) the ratio of adults to children among PWHA standardized to the ratio of adults to children for males in the general population, which would be close to one if the survival of PWHA is equal to that of the general population. Country‐specific values have been calculated for the 10 countries.ConclusionsWe have identified and evaluated three promising indicators of quality of care in haemophilia. Further evaluation on a wider set of data from the AGS will be needed to confirm their value and further explore their measurement properties.
Factors affecting SPF in vitro measurement and correlation with in vivo results
Authors: Dimitrovska Cvetkovska A. , Manfredini S. , Ziosi P. , Molesini S. , Dissette V. , Magri I. , Scapoli C. , Carrieri A. , Durini E. , Vertuani S. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe in vitro evaluation of SPF is still a problem due to the lack of repeatability and correlation between the in vitro and in vivo data, and many authors are currently working to develop an internationally harmonized method. Very recently, the use of several “adjuvant” ingredients such as boosters, antioxidants, immunomodulators, solvents and film‐forming ingredients have further complicated the pattern for product developers that should frequently run in vivo test. The aim of this study was to understand whether a simple and cheap in vitro method could be optimized in order to provide both statistically repeatable and predictive SPF measurement.MethodsIn vitro SPF assessments were carried out on 75 commercial products. The SPF was measured according to two laboratory methods (A and B), using different substrates (PMMA and surgical tape Transpore™), quantity of product and spectrophotometers. In order to evaluate whether a standard technique of spreading could lead to a statistically reliable result, we applied different spreading pressure (100 g and 200 g). Furthermore, we investigate whether other parameters characterizing the product (SPF category, filter and texture) might represent statically significant variables affecting the measures. We then compared the results obtained from in vitro SPF measure of 11 products to in vivo SPF, in order to assess the predictability of in vitro methods.ResultsSeveral problems were encountered in confirming the weakness of the in vitro procedures. Pressure, SPF category, filter and texture did not affect significantly the results. Overall best results were obtained with the B2 method that in terms of repeatability and predictivity provided statistically better results. Method A with Transpore™ tape showed better in vitro–in vivo correlation than Method B with PMMA plates.ConclusionIn our investigation, we demonstrated that it is possible for a single laboratory to optimize internal methods and protocols to achieve repeatable and predictive in vitro results, but it is extremely difficult to develop methods reproducible and equally reliable in different laboratories, probably due to “external variables” (e.g. environmental, operator), which are difficult to control.
Pioglitazone improves whole‐body aerobic capacity and skeletal muscle energy metabolism in patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Yokota Takashi , Kinugawa Shintaro , Hirabayashi Kagami , Suga Tadashi , Takada Shingo , Omokawa Masashi , Kadoguchi Tomoyasu , Takahashi Masashige , Fukushima Arata , Matsushima Shouji , Yamato Mayumi , Okita Koichi , Tsutsui Hiroyuki 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAims/IntroductionLow aerobic capacity is a strong and independent predictor of all‐cause mortality in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Here, we investigated the effects of pioglitazone treatment on whole‐body aerobic capacity and skeletal muscle energy metabolism in MetS patients.Materials and MethodsA total of 14 male patients with MetS received oral pioglitazone 15 mg/day for 4 months. To assess whole‐body aerobic capacity, exercise testing with a bicycle ergometer was carried out before and after pioglitazone treatment. To assess skeletal muscle energy metabolism, intramyocellular lipid in the resting leg and high‐energy phosphates in the calf muscle during plantar‐flexion exercise were measured using 1proton‐ and 31phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy, respectively.ResultsPioglitazone significantly increased peak oxygen uptake (25.1 ± 4.9 mL/kg/min pretreatment vs 27.2 ± 3.9 mL/kg/min post‐ treatment, P < 0.05) and anaerobic threshold (12.7 ± 1.9 mL/kg/min pretreatment vs 13.6 ± 1.6 mL/kg/min post‐treatment, P < 0.05), although daily physical activity was comparable before and after the treatment. Intramyocellular lipid content was significantly reduced after pioglitazone treatment by 26%, indicating improved skeletal muscle fatty acid metabolism. Pioglitazone also significantly decreased the muscle phosphocreatine loss during exercise by 13%, indicating improved skeletal muscle high‐energy phosphate metabolism. Notably, the increase in anaerobic threshold; that is, submaximal aerobic capacity, closely correlated with the decrease in intramyocellular lipid content after pioglitazone treatment.ConclusionsPioglitazone significantly improved the MetS patients’ whole‐body aerobic capacity and skeletal muscle energy metabolism. The beneficial effect of pioglitazone on whole‐body aerobic capacity might be at least in part through improved fatty acid metabolism in the skeletal muscle.
Diabetes, hepatocellular carcinoma, and mortality in hepatitis C‐infected patients: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Huang Ting‐Shuo , Lin Chih‐Lang , Lu Mu‐Jie , Yeh Chau‐Ting , Liang Kung‐Hao , Sun Chi‐Chin , Shyu Yu‐Chiau , Chien Rong‐Nan 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackground and AimThe effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and all‐cause mortality after HCC development in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients remains inconclusive. This cohort study aimed to investigate these issues using the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database.MethodsWe retrieved and enrolled newly diagnosed DM patients with HCV from the Longitudinal Cohort of Diabetes Patients database. Propensity score matching—including age, sex, alcohol‐related liver disease, and baseline liver cirrhosis—was used to identify and enroll HCV patients without DM from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (n = 1686). A multi‐state model was used to investigate transitions from “start‐to‐HCC,” “start‐to‐death,” and “HCC‐to‐death.”ResultsThe multi‐state model showed higher cumulative hazards for “start‐to‐HCC,” “start‐to‐death,” and “HCC‐to‐death” transitions in the DM (vs non‐DM) cohort. The cumulative probability of death with or without HCC after 10 years of follow‐up was higher in the DM cohort than in the non‐DM cohort. Multivariable transition‐specific Cox models demonstrated that DM significantly increased the risk for transition from “start‐to‐HCC” (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–1.59; P < 0.001), “start‐to‐death” (aHR 2.61; 95% CI: 2.05–3.33; P < 0.001), and “HCC‐to‐death” (aHR 1.36; 95% CI 1.10–1.68; P = 0.005). The effect of liver cirrhosis on “start‐to‐HCC” and “start‐to‐death” transitions decreased over time, particularly within 2 years.ConclusionsDiabetes mellitus increased the risk of HCC development in HCV‐infected patients and the risk of all‐cause mortality in patients with or without HCC.
Locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix associated with pelvic kidney treated with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy: Overcoming a therapeutic challenge
Authors: Kashyap Lakhan , Gandhi Ajeet Kumar , Pandey Rambha , Sharma Daya Nand 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe simultaneous occurrence of carcinoma of the cervix and pelvic kidney is rare. As the pelvic kidney occupies the conventional radiation portal for carcinoma of the cervix, treatment of these patients with radiation presents a therapeutic challenge. A 48‐year‐old stage IIIB cervical carcinoma patient with an incidental diagnosis of pelvic kidney was treated with radical chemoradiotherapy using intensity‐modulated radiotherapy with concurrent weekly cisplatin, followed by intracavitary radiotherapy. The bilateral kidney dose was restricted within a tolerance limit of 16.6 Gy. At the 18‐month follow‐up, the patient was disease free and had no deterioration in kidney function. Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy provided the necessary means for delivering radical radiation doses in this case scenario with adequate sparing of the kidney.
Vaginal misoprostol and cervical ripening balloon for induction of labor in late‐term pregnancies
Authors: Duro Gómez Jorge , Garrido Oyarzún María Fernanda , Rodríguez Marín Ana Belén , de la Torre González Antonio Jesús , Arjona Berral José Eduardo , Castelo‐Branco Camil 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to compare vaginal misoprostol with the Cook cervical ripening balloon (CCRB) for induction of labor in late‐term nulliparous women.MethodsThis open, quasi‐experimental, prospective study included 109 nulliparous women with late‐term pregnancies and Bishop scores < 7. Fifty‐five women were allocated to receive vaginal misoprostol 25 mcg and 54 received the CCRB to induce labor. The primary outcome was the time until delivery. Secondary outcomes included time to the onset of labor and obstetric and perinatal outcomes.ResultsWomen in the misoprostol group experienced shorter time until delivery (25.41 h vs 31.26 h; P < 0.01) and in a greater percentage gave birth within the first 24 h. Time to active stage of labor was 19.5 h and 23.8 h (P < 0.01) for misoprostol and the CCRB, respectively. There were no differences in the rates of cesarean section or post‐partum anemia. Additionally, there were no differences in rates of tachysystolia, intrapartum fever, or meconium. Perinatal outcomes, post‐partum pH, Apgar scores, and neonatal admissions were similar in the two groups.ConclusionMisoprostol 25 mcg reduces labor induction time compared with the CCRB with similar safety in late‐term pregnancies.
Carcinoma of the lower uterine segment diagnosed with Lynch syndrome based on MSH6 germline mutation: A case report
Authors: Adachi Masataka , Banno Kouji , Masuda Kenta , Yanokura Megumi , Iijima Moito , Takeda Takashi , Kunitomi Haruko , Kobayashi Yusuke , Yamagami Wataru , Hirasawa Akira , Kameyama Kaori , Sugano Kokichi , Aoki Daisuke 
Published: December 2016

AbstractEndometrial cancer in the lower uterine segment (LUS) is associated with Lynch syndrome with MLH1 or MSH2 germline mutation. Here, we report a case of carcinoma of the LUS diagnosed with Lynch syndrome based on MSH6 germline mutation in a 46‐year‐old woman with abnormal vaginal bleeding. She had had rectal cancer at age 39 with a family history of colon cancer (father, 75 years), pancreatic cancer (paternal grandmother, 74 years), and colon cancer (maternal grandmother, 85 years). Magnetic resonance imaging showed a tumor in the LUS. Endometrial biopsy revealed endometrioid adenocarcinoma G1. As her cancer history met the revised Bethesda criteria, we examined microsatellite instability and the result was negative, but loss of the MSH6 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Genetic testing revealed deleterious germline mutation of MSH6, which was compatible with Lynch syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first case of endometrial carcinoma of the LUS with MSH6 germline mutation.
Physical activity, subjective sleep quality and time in bed do not vary by moon phase in German adolescents
Authors: Smith Maia P. , Standl Marie , Schulz Holger , Heinrich Joachim 
Published: December 2016

SummaryLunar periodicity in human biology and behaviour, particularly sleep, has been reported. However, estimated relationships vary in direction (more or less sleep with full moon) if they exist at all, and studies tend to be so small that there is potential for confounding by weekly or monthly cycles. Lunar variation in physical activity has been posited as a driver of this relationship, but is likewise not well studied. We explore the association between lunar cycle, sleep and physical activity in a population‐based sample of 1411 Germans age 14–17 years (46% male). Physical activity (daily minutes moderate‐to‐vigorous activity) was objectively assessed by accelerometry for a total of 8832 days between 2011 and 2014. At the same time, time in bed (h) and subjective sleep quality (1–6) were diaried each morning. In models corrected for confounding, we found that lunar phase was not significantly associated with physical activity, subjective sleep quality or time in bed in either sex, regardless of season. Observed relationships varied randomly in direction between models, suggesting artefact. Thus, this large, objectively‐measured and well‐controlled population of adolescents displayed no lunar periodicity in objective physical activity, subjective sleep quality or time in bed.
Is consumption of sugar‐sweetened soft drinks during pregnancy associated with birth weight?
Authors: Grundt Jacob H. , Eide Geir Egil , Brantsæter Anne‐Lise , Haugen Margaretha , Markestad Trond 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn Norway, there were parallel increases and subsequent decreases in birth weight (BW) and consumption of sugar‐sweetened carbonated soft drinks (SSC) during the period 1990–2010, and by an ecological approach, we have suggested that the relationship was causal. The objective of this study was to examine if such a relationship was present in a prospectively followed cohort of pregnant women. The study population included 62,494 term singleton mother–infant dyads in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), a national prospective cohort study in Norway from 1999 to 2008. The association between SSC consumption and BW was assessed using multiple regression analyses with adjustment for potential confounders. Each 100 ml intake of SSC was associated with a 7.8 g (95% confidence interval [CI]: −10.3 to −5.3) decrease in BW, a decreased risk of BW > 4,500 g (odds ratio [OR]: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90 to 0.97) and a near significantly increased risk of BW < 2,500 g (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.10). The negative association with SSC consumption was aggravated by smoking, lack of exercise, and obesity. For mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus, we observed an increased risk of BW > 4,500 g (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.39) and a trend towards significant increase in mean BW (25.1 g, 95% CI: −2.0 to 52.2) per 100 ml SSC. Our findings suggest that increasing consumption of rapidly absorbed sugar from SSC had opposite associations with BW in normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus.
Canine distemper virus in the Serengeti ecosystem: molecular adaptation to different carnivore species
Authors: Nikolin Veljko M. , Olarte‐Castillo Ximena A. , Osterrieder Nikolaus , Hofer Heribert , Dubovi Edward , Mazzoni Camila J. , Brunner Edgar , Goller Katja V. , Fyumagwa Robert D. , Moehlman Patricia D. , Thierer Dagmar , East Marion L. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractWas the 1993/1994 fatal canine distemper virus (CDV) epidemic in lions and spotted hyaenas in the Serengeti ecosystem caused by the recent spillover of a virulent domestic dog strain or one well adapted to these noncanids? We examine this question using sequence data from 13 ‘Serengeti’ strains including five complete genomes obtained between 1993 and 2011. Phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses reveal that strains from noncanids during the epidemic were more closely related to each other than to those from domestic or wild canids. All noncanid ‘Serengeti’ strains during the epidemic encoded: (1) one novel substitution G134S in the CDV‐V protein; and (2) the rare amino acid combination 519I/549H at two sites under positive selection in the region of the CDV‐H protein that binds to SLAM (CD 150) host cell receptors. Worldwide, only a few noncanid strains in the America II lineage encode CDV‐H 519I/549H. All canid ‘Serengeti’ strains during the epidemic coded CDV‐V 134G, and CDV‐H 519R/549Y, or 519R/549H. A functional assay of cell entry revealed the highest performance by CDV‐H proteins encoding 519I/549H in cells expressing lion SLAM receptors, and the highest performance by proteins encoding 519R/549Y, typical of dog strains worldwide, in cells expressing dog SLAM receptors. Our findings are consistent with an epidemic in lions and hyaenas caused by CDV variants better adapted to noncanids than canids, but not with the recent spillover of a dog strain. Our study reveals a greater complexity of CDV molecular epidemiology in multihost environments than previously thought.
Dissecting the Photoprotective Mechanism Encoded by the flv4‐2 Operon: a Distinct Contribution of Sll0218 in Photosystem II Stabilization
Authors: Bersanini Luca , Allahverdiyeva Yagut , Battchikova Natalia , Heinz Steffen , Lespinasse Maija , Ruohisto Essi , Mustila Henna , Nickelsen Jörg , Vass Imre , Aro Eva‐Mari 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, the flv4‐2 operon encodes the flavodiiron proteins Flv2 and Flv4 together with a small protein, Sll0218, providing photoprotection for Photosystem II (PSII). Here, the distinct roles of Flv2/Flv4 and Sll0218 were addressed, using a number of flv4‐2 operon mutants. In the ∆sll0218 mutant, the presence of Flv2/Flv4 rescued PSII functionality as compared with ∆sll0218‐flv2, where neither Sll0218 nor the Flv2/Flv4 heterodimer are expressed. Nevertheless, both the ∆sll0218 and ∆sll0218‐flv2 mutants demonstrated deficiency in accumulation of PSII proteins suggesting a role for Sll0218 in PSII stabilization, which was further supported by photoinhibition experiments. Moreover, the accumulation of PSII assembly intermediates occurred in Sll0218‐lacking mutants. The YFP‐tagged Sll0218 protein localized in a few spots per cell at the external side of the thylakoid membrane, and biochemical membrane fractionation revealed clear enrichment of Sll0218 in the PratA‐defined membranes, where the early biogenesis steps of PSII occur. Further, the characteristic antenna uncoupling feature of the ∆flv4‐2 operon mutants is shown to be related to PSII destabilization in the absence of Sll0218. It is concluded that the Flv2/Flv4 heterodimer supports PSII functionality, while the Sll0218 protein assists PSII assembly and stabilization, including optimization of light harvesting.
Melanoma exosomes deliver a complex biological payload that upregulates PTPN11 to suppress T lymphocyte function
Authors: Wu Yueting , Deng Wentao , McGinley Emily Chambers , Klinke David J. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryAs exosomes are emerging as a new mode of intercellular communication, we hypothesized that the payload contained within exosomes is shaped by somatic evolution. To test this, we assayed the impact on primary CD8+ T‐cell function, a key mechanism for antitumor immunity, of exosomes derived from three melanoma‐related cell lines. While morphologically similar, exosomes from each cell line were functionally different, as B16F0 exosomes dose‐dependently suppressed T‐cell proliferation. In contrast, Cloudman S91 exosomes promoted T‐cell proliferation and Melan‐A exosomes had a negligible effect on primary CD8+ T cells. Mechanistically, transcript profiling suggested that exosomal mRNA is enriched for full‐length mRNAs that target immune‐related pathways. Interestingly, B16F0 exosomes were unique in that they contained both protein and mRNA for PTPN11, which inhibited T‐cell proliferation. Collectively, the results suggest that upregulation of PTPN11 by B16F0 exosomes to tumor infiltrating lymphocytes would bypass the extracellular control of the immune checkpoints.