bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bariatric surgery and diabetic retinopathy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of controlled clinical studies
Authors: Merlotti C. , Ceriani V. , Morabito A. , Pontiroli A. E. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryBackgroundUncontrolled studies have indicated appearance or progression of diabetic retinopathy in obese diabetic patients after bariatric surgery. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to compare the rate of appearance, as well as progression or regression of diabetic retinopathy in studies comparing medical and surgical treatment of obese type 2 diabetes.Methods and findingsIntervention effect (new cases of retinopathy, and cases with any change of diabetic retinopathy score) was expressed as odds ratio (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs); change of diabetic retinopathy score was expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD), with 95% CIs. Meta‐analyses were performed by a random‐effects model according to DerSimonian and Laird. Heterogeneity was assessed through Q and I2 statistics for each comparison, and potential sources of heterogeneity were discussed where appropriate. Appropriate methodology [preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (PRISMA) statement] was used. Seven studies were analyzed, and incident cases of retinopathy were fewer with bariatric surgery than with medical treatment; change of retinopathy score (three studies) was not different, while only two studies were available on numbers of patients showing progression or regression of retinopathy. Heterogeneity was not significant, and publication bias was not present.ConclusionsBariatric surgery seems to prevent new cases of diabetic retinopathy, but available studies are not sufficient to support progression or regression of retinopathy. Further studies are needed to draw firm conclusions on the effect of bariatric surgery on diabetic retinopathy.
Queer Farmers: Sexuality and the Transition to Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Leslie Isaac Sohn 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIntimate relationships are foundational to farm viability. They affect how farmers share tasks, earn income, and access land, yet the role of sexuality and heteronormativity in agriculture remains understudied. Furthermore, queer people are largely ignored as potential farmers by the sustainable agriculture and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) movements. I document the lived experiences of queer farmers, an underresearched group, through participant observation and interviews with 30 sustainable farmers of various genders and sexualities in New England. I use a queer perspective to illuminate sexualized and heteronormative patterns in sustainable agriculture. Whereas the perception of rural heterosexism can discourage queer participation in agriculture, queer farmers faced less overt heterosexism than they expected. However, they did experience heterosexism particular to sustainable agriculture, and confronting it might jeopardize relationships important for economic and environmental sustainability and land access. Some farmers were attracted to sustainable agriculture for reasons specific to gender, sexuality, and anticapitalist values. I argue that sexuality and heteronormativity are embedded in farmer recruitment, retention, and land acquisition, which are critical for the transition to sustainable agriculture. I offer the sustainable agriculture movement a lens for envisioning alternatives for farm families, homes, and workplaces.
Legislators' Patterns of Cooperation
Authors: Akirav Osnat 
Published: January 2017

This study attempts to identify the patterns of cooperation between legislators. We argue that if legislators decide to cooperate, they prefer to do so first with their colleagues who share similar affiliations and then across affiliations. In order to examine this hypothesis, we devised a unique cooperation scale and tested it using a sample of the private member bills that were initiated in the 18th Knesset (Israel’s parliament) between 2009 and 2013. We then looked at each bill with regard to its initiators and co-sponsors to see if they were members of the same party, members of the opposition or coalition, or members of a minority group. Based on the quantitative analysis, we found that of all of the factors, only being a minority was significant. Based on the qualitative analysis, we determined that intra-party cooperation does exist. In three parties – Hadash, Meretz and Israel Beitenu -- legislators tended to cooperate with each other. Finally, with regard to inter-party cooperation, Jewish and Arab MKs tended to cooperate, and Russian Jewish legislators tended to cooperate regardless of party affiliation. Our study is innovative in its creation of a cooperation scale that can be used in other legislatures and that is based on measures of co-sponsorship instead of analyses of dyadic or social networks used in previous studies.
Effect of gravity and microgravity on intracranial pressure
Authors: Lawley Justin S. , Petersen Lonnie G. , Howden Erin J. , Sarma Satyam , Cornwell William K. , Zhang Rong , Whitworth Louis A. , Williams Michael A. , Levine Benjamin D. 
Published: January 2017

Key Points
Astronauts have recently been discovered to have impaired vision, with a presentation that resembles syndromes of elevated intracranial pressure on Earth.
Gravity has a profound effect on fluid distribution and pressure within the human circulation. In contrast to prevailing theory, we observed that microgravity reduces central venous and intracranial pressure.
This being said, intracranial pressure is not reduced to the levels observed in the 90 deg seated upright posture on Earth. Thus, over 24 h in zero gravity, pressure in the brain is slightly above that observed on Earth, which may explain remodelling of the eye in astronauts.
AbstractAstronauts have recently been discovered to have impaired vision, with a presentation that resembles syndromes of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). This syndrome is considered the most mission‐critical medical problem identified in the past decade of manned spaceflight. We recruited five men and three women who had an Ommaya reservoir inserted for the delivery of prophylactic CNS chemotherapy, but were free of their malignant disease for at least 1 year. ICP was assessed by placing a fluid‐filled 25 gauge butterfly needle into the Ommaya reservoir. Subjects were studied in the upright and supine position, during acute zero gravity (parabolic flight) and prolonged simulated microgravity (6 deg head‐down tilt bedrest). ICP was lower when seated in the 90 deg upright posture compared to lying supine (seated, 4 ± 1 vs. supine, 15 ± 2 mmHg). Whilst lying in the supine posture, central venous pressure (supine, 7 ± 3 vs. microgravity, 4 ± 2 mmHg) and ICP (supine, 17 ± 2 vs. microgravity, 13 ± 2 mmHg) were reduced in acute zero gravity, although not to the levels observed in the 90 deg seated upright posture on Earth. Prolonged periods of simulated microgravity did not cause progressive elevations in ICP (supine, 15 ± 2 vs. 24 h head‐down tilt, 15 ± 4 mmHg). Complete removal of gravity does not pathologically elevate ICP but does prevent the normal lowering of ICP when upright. These findings suggest the human brain is protected by the daily circadian cycles in regional ICPs, without which pathology may occur.
Running Performance With Nutritive and Nonnutritive Sweetened Mouth Rinses
Authors: Hawkins Keely R. , Krishnan Sridevi , Ringos Lara , Garcia Vanessa , Cooper Jamie A. 
Published: January 2017

Using mouth rinse (MR) with carbohydrate during exercise has been shown to act as an ergogenic aid.Purpose:To investigate if nutritive or nonnutritive sweetened MR affects exercise performance and to assess the influence of sweetness intensity on endurance performance during a time trial (TT).Methods:This randomized, single-blinded study had 4 treatment conditions. Sixteen subjects (9 men, 7 women) completed a 12.8-km TT 4 different times. During each TT, subjects mouth-rinsed and expectorated a different solution at time 0 and every 12.5% of the TT. The 4 MR solutions were sucrose (S) (sweet taste and provides energy of 4 kcal/g), a lower-intensity sucralose (S1:1) (artificial sweetener that provides no energy but tastes sweet), a higher-intensity sucralose (S100:1), and water as control (C). Completion times for each TT, heart rate (HR), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were also recorded.Results:Completion time for S was faster than for C (1:03:47 ± 00:02:17 vs 1:06:56 ± 00:02:18, respectively; P < .001) and showed a trend to be faster vs S100:1 (1:03:47 ± 00:02:17 vs 1:05:38 ± 00:02:12, respectively; P = .07). No other TT differences were found. Average HR showed a trend to be higher for S vs C (P = .08). The only difference in average or maximum RPE was for higher maximum RPE in C vs S1:1 (P = .02).Conclusion:A sweet-tasting MR did improve endurance performance compared with water in a significant manner (mean 4.5% improvement; 3+ min.); however, the presence of energy in the sweet MR appeared necessary since the artificial sweeteners did not improve performance more than water alone.
Capturing Compositional Variation in Denitrifying Communities: a Multiple-Primer Approach That Includes Epsilonproteobacteria
Authors: Murdock Sheryl A. , Juniper S. Kim 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Denitrifying
Epsilonproteobacteria
may dominate nitrogen loss processes in marine habitats with intense redox gradients, but assessment of their importance is limited by the currently available primers for nitrite reductase genes. Nine new primers targeting the
nirS
gene of denitrifying
Epsilonproteobacteria
were designed and tested for use in sequencing and quantitative PCR on two microbial mat samples (vent 2 and vent 4) from the Calypso hydrothermal vent field, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. Commonly used
nirS
and
nirK
primer sets nirS1F/nirS6R, cd3aF/R3cd, nirK1F/nirK5R, and F1aCu/R3Cu were also tested to determine what may be missed by the common single-primer approach to assessing denitrifier diversity. The relative importance of
Epsilonproteobacteria
in these samples was evaluated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Epsilonproteobacteria
represented up to 75.6% of 16S rRNA libraries, but
nirS
genes from this group were not found with commonly used primers. Pairing of the new primer EPSnirS511F with either EPSnirS1100R or EPSnirS1105R recovered
nirS
sequences from members of the genera
Sulfurimonas
,
Sulfurovum
, and
Nitratifractor.
The new quantitative PCR primers EPSnirS103F/EPSnirS530R showed dominance of denitrifying
Epsilonproteobacteria
in vent 4 compared to vent 2, which had greater representation by “standard” denitrifiers measured with the cd3aF/R3cd primers. Limited results from commonly used
nirK
primers suggest biased amplification between primers. Future application of multiple
nirS
and
nirK
primers, including the new epsilonproteobacterial
nirS
primers, will improve the detection of denitrifier diversity and the capability to identify changes in dominant denitrifying communities.

IMPORTANCE
Estimating the potential for increasing nitrogen limitation in the changing global ocean is reliant on understanding the microbial community that removes nitrogen through the process of denitrification. This process is favored under oxygen limitation, which is a growing global-ocean phenomenon. Current methods use the nitrite reductase genes
nirS
and
nirK
to assess denitrifier diversity and abundance using primers that target only a few known denitrifiers and systematically exclude denitrifying
Epsilonproteobacteria
, a group known to dominate in reducing environments, such as hydrothermal vents and anoxic basins. As oxygen depletion expands in the oceans, it is important to study denitrifier community dynamics within those areas to predict future global ocean changes. This study explores the design and testing of new primers that target epsilonproteobacterial
nirS
and reveals the varied success of existing primers, leading to the recommendation of a multiple-primer approach to assessing denitrifier diversity.
Resilience, Dynamics, and Interactions within a Model Multispecies Exoelectrogenic-Biofilm Community
Authors: Prokhorova Anna , Sturm-Richter Katrin , Doetsch Andreas , Gescher Johannes 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Anode-associated multispecies exoelectrogenic biofilms are essential for the function of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). The individual activities of anode-associated organisms and physiological responses resulting from coculturing are often hard to assess due to the high microbial diversity in these systems. Therefore, we developed a model multispecies biofilm comprising three exoelectrogenic proteobacteria,
Shewanella oneidensis
,
Geobacter sulfurreducens
, and
Geobacter metallireducens
, with the aim to study in detail the biofilm formation dynamics, the interactions between the organisms, and the overall activity of an exoelectrogenic biofilm as a consequence of the applied anode potential. The experiments revealed that the organisms build a stable biofilm on an electrode surface that is rather resilient to changes in the redox potential of the anode. The community operated at maximum electron transfer rates at electrode potentials that were higher than 0.04 V versus a normal hydrogen electrode. Current densities decreased gradually with lower potentials and reached half-maximal values at −0.08 V. Transcriptomic results point toward a positive interaction among the individual strains.
S. oneidensis
and
G. sulfurreducens
upregulated their central metabolisms as a response to cultivation under mixed-species conditions.
G. sulfurreducens
was detected in the planktonic phase of the bioelectrochemical reactors in mixed-culture experiments but not when it was grown in the absence of the other two organisms.

IMPORTANCE
In many cases, multispecies communities can convert organic substrates into electric power more efficiently than axenic cultures, a phenomenon that remains unresolved. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the potential mutual effects of multispecies communities in bioelectrochemical systems to understand how microbes interact in the coculture anodic network and to improve the community's conversion efficiency for organic substrates into electrical energy. The results reveal positive interactions that might lead to accelerated electron transfer in mixed-species anode communities. The observations made within this model biofilm might be applicable to a variety of nonaxenic systems in the field.
Salivary Gluten Degradation and Oral Microbial Profiles in Healthy Individuals and Celiac Disease Patients
Authors: Tian Na , Faller Lina , Leffler Daniel A. , Kelly Ciaran P. , Hansen Joshua , Bosch Jos A. , Wei Guoxian , Paster Bruce J. , Schuppan Detlef , Helmerhorst Eva J. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated enteropathy induced by dietary gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. Saliva harbors the second highest bacterial load of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract after the colon. We hypothesized that enzymes produced by oral bacteria may be involved in gluten processing in the intestine and susceptibility to celiac disease. The aim of this study was to investigate salivary enzymatic activities and oral microbial profiles in healthy subjects versus patients with classical and refractory CD. Stimulated whole saliva was collected from patients with CD in remission (
n
= 21) and refractory CD (RCD;
n
= 8) and was compared to healthy controls (HC;
n
= 20) and subjects with functional GI complaints (
n
= 12). Salivary gluten-degrading activities were monitored with the tripeptide substrate Z-Tyr-Pro-Gln-pNA and the α-gliadin-derived immunogenic 33-mer peptide. The oral microbiome was profiled by 16S rRNA-based MiSeq analysis. Salivary glutenase activities were higher in CD patients compared to controls, both before and after normalization for protein concentration or bacterial load. The oral microbiomes of CD and RCD patients showed significant differences from that of healthy subjects, e.g., higher salivary levels of lactobacilli (
P
< 0.05), which may partly explain the observed higher gluten-degrading activities. While the pathophysiological link between the oral and gut microbiomes in CD needs further exploration, the presented data suggest that oral microbe-derived enzyme activities are elevated in subjects with CD, which may impact gluten processing and the presentation of immunogenic gluten epitopes to the immune system in the small intestine.

IMPORTANCE
Ingested gluten proteins are the triggers of intestinal inflammation in celiac disease (CD). Certain immunogenic gluten domains are resistant to intestinal proteases but can be hydrolyzed by oral microbial enzymes. Very little is known about the endogenous proteolytic processing of gluten proteins in the oral cavity. Given that this occurs prior to gluten reaching the small intestine, such enzymes are likely to contribute to the composition of the gluten digest that ultimately reaches the small intestine and causes CD. We demonstrated that endogenous salivary protease activities are incomplete, likely liberating peptides from larger gluten proteins. The potentially responsible microbes were identified. The study included refractory CD patients, who have been studied less with regard to CD pathogenesis.
A Neoproterozoic epithermal gold deposit—The Haile gold mine, South Carolina, USA
Authors: Berry James M. , Mobley Reid M. , Gillon Kenneth A. , Yogodzinski Gene M. , Bates C. Cole 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
The Haile gold mine is located in southern Lancaster County, South Carolina, near the town of Kershaw. Gold was discovered at the site in 1827, and four periods of mining have yielded 360,000 ounces of gold. The mine is located between the past producing Ridgeway and Brewer mines that, when all are combined, constitute a significant amount of historical gold production in the southeastern United States. These mines are hosted within Neoproterozoic to lower Cambrian Carolina terrane rocks and are dominated by volcanic and epiclastic units that have experienced greenschist facies metamorphism. Saprolitic weathering is present in the near-surface portions of the deposit and is locally covered by Cretaceous-aged Coastal Plain sediments. The gold mineralization at the Haile mine is hosted within silicified meta-sediments containing fine-grained disseminated pyrite and pyrrhotite and is a replacement type-epithermal deposit. Re-Os ages from molybdenite associated with the mineralization indicate that the deposit formed shortly after major, arc-related volcanic activity.
Haile currently has a measured and indicated resource of 4.03 million ounces at an average grade of 1.77 g/t Au with an additional inferred resource of 801,000 ounces at an average grade of 1.24 g/t Au. Included in the resource is a reserve of 2.02 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 2.06 g/t. Mine construction began in May 2015, and gold production is expected by the end of 2016. The construction cost is expected to be US$380 million. Ore will be extracted from eight open pits with mill extraction and the current mine life is 14 years.
Geology and geomorphology of the Carolina Sandhills, Chesterfield County, South Carolina
Authors: Swezey Christopher S. , Fitzwater Bradley A. , Whittecar G. Richard 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
This two-day field trip focuses on the geology and geomorphology of the Carolina Sandhills in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. This area is located in the updip portion of the U.S. Atlantic Coastal Plain province, supports an ecosystem of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and wiregrass (Aristida stricta), and contains three major geologic map units: (1) An ~60–120-m-thick unit of weakly consolidated sand, sandstone, mud, and gravel is mapped as the Upper Cretaceous Middendorf Formation and is interpreted as a fluvial deposit. This unit is capped by an unconformity, and displays reticulate mottling, plinthite, and other paleosol features at the unconformity. The Middendorf Formation is the largest aquifer in South Carolina. (2) A 0.3–10-m-thick unit of unconsolidated sand is mapped as the Quaternary Pinehurst Formation and is interpreted as deposits of eolian sand sheets and dunes derived via remobilization of sand from the underlying Cretaceous strata. This unit displays argillic horizons and abundant evidence of bioturbation by vegetation. (3) A &lt;3-m-thick unit of sand, pebbly sand, sandy mud, and mud is mapped as Quaternary terrace deposits adjacent to modern drainages. In addition to the geologic units listed above, a prominent geomorphologic feature in the study area is a north-trending escarpment (incised by headwater streams) that forms a markedly asymmetric drainage divide. This drainage divide, as well as the Quaternary terraces deposits, are interpreted as evidence of landscape disequilibrium (possibly geomorphic responses to Quaternary climate changes).
Interventions to increase adherence to therapeutic exercise in older adults with low back pain and/or hip/knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nicolson Philippa J A , Bennell Kim L , Dobson Fiona L , Van Ginckel Ans , Holden Melanie A , Hinman Rana S 
Published: January 2017

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether interventions aimed at increasing adherence to therapeutic exercise increase adherence greater than a contextually equivalent control among older adults with chronic low back pain and/or hip/knee osteoarthritis.DesignA systematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesFive databases (MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, SportDISCUS (EBSCO), Embase (Ovid) and Cochrane Library) were searched until 1 August 2016.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesRandomised controlled trials that isolated the effects of interventions aiming to improve adherence to therapeutic exercise among adults ≥45 years of age with chronic low back pain and/or hip/knee osteoarthritis were included.ResultsOf 3899 studies identified, nine studies (1045 participants) were eligible. Four studies, evaluating strategies that aimed to increase motivation or using behavioural graded exercise, reported significantly better exercise adherence (d=0.26–1.23). In contrast, behavioural counselling, action coping plans and/or audio/video exercise cues did not improve adherence significantly. Meta-analysis using a random effects model with the two studies evaluating booster sessions with a physiotherapist for people with osteoarthritis revealed a small to medium significant pooled effect in favour of booster sessions (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.39, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.72, z=2.26, p=0.02, I2=35%).ConclusionsMeta-analysis provides moderate-quality evidence that booster sessions with a physiotherapist assisted people with hip/knee osteoarthritis to better adhere to therapeutic exercise. Individual high-quality trials supported the use of motivational strategies in people with chronic low back pain and behavioural graded exercise in people with osteoarthritis to improve adherence to exercise.