bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genomewide association study identifies GALC as susceptibility gene for mucous membrane pemphigoid
Authors: Sadik Christian D. , Bischof Julia , van Beek Nina , Dieterich Anabelle , Benoit Sandrine , Sárdy Miklós , Worm Margitta , Meller Stephan , Gläser Regine , Zillikens Detlef , Homey Bernhard , Setterfield Jane , Minassian Darwin , Schmidt Enno , Dart John ,   the MMP study group 2009 – 2014,   the Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Study Group, Ibrahim Saleh M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a rare, chronic and often aggressive subepidermal autoimmune blistering disease potentially affecting several mucous membranes with blisters and secondary erosions and scars. The pathogenesis of MMP is poorly understood, and the contribution of genetic predispositions, other than HLA class II allele variants to MMP, is unknown. The objective of this study is to identify susceptibility genes for MMP in a British cohort of MMP patients. A GWAS was conducted in a British cohort of 106 MMP patients. Publicly available genotypes of 2900 blood donors of the UK Blood Service and of 6740 individuals of the 1958 British Birth Cohort served as control. Subsequently, putative susceptibility genes were independently replicated in a German cohort of 42 MMP patients. The GWAS found 38 SNPs in 28 haploblocks with an odds ratio >2 reaching genomewide significance (P < 5.7 × 10−7). Replication confirmed an association of MMP with SNPs in rs17203398 (OR: 3.9), located intronically in the β‐galactocerebrosidase gene (GALC) on chromosome 14 and with recessive polymorphisms in rs9936045 (OR: 3.1) in the intergenic region between CASC16 and CHD9 on chromosome 16. The risk of developing MMP is partially genetically determined. SNPs in GALC enhance the risk for MMP, indicating that β‐galactocerebrosidase may be involved in the pathogenesis of MMP. Likewise, impacts of polymorphisms in the intergenic region between CASC16 and CHD9 on the activity of neighbouring genes may facilitate the emergence of MMP. The putative role of both polymorphisms requires functional studies in the future.
A decrease in the abundance and strategic sophistication of cleaner fish after environmental perturbations
Authors: Triki Zegni , Wismer Sharon , Levorato Elena , Bshary Redouan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCoral reef ecosystems are declining worldwide and under foreseeable threat due to climate change, resulting in significant changes in reef communities. It is unknown, however, how such community changes impact interspecific interactions. Recent extreme weather events affecting the Great Barrier Reef, that is, consecutive cyclones and the 2016 El Niño event, allowed us to explore potential consequences in the mutualistic interactions involving cleaner fishLabroides dimidiatus(hereafter “cleaner”). After the perturbations, cleaner densities were reduced by 80%, disproportionally compared to the variety of reef fish clients from which cleaners remove ectoparasites. Consequently, shifts in supply and demand yielded an increase in the clients’ demand for cleaning. Therefore, clients became less selective toward cleaners, whereas cleaners were able to choose from a multitude of partners. In parallel, we found a significant decline in the ability of cleaners to manage their reputation and to learn to prioritize ephemeral food sources to maximize food intake in laboratory experiments. In other words, cleaners failed to display the previously documented strategic sophistication that made this species a prime example for fish intelligence. In conclusion, low population densities may cause various effects on individual behavior, and as a consequence, interspecific interactions. At the same time, our data suggest that a recovery of population densities would cause a recovery of previously described interaction patterns and cleaner strategic sophistication within the lifetime of individuals.
Selection for life‐history traits to maximize population growth in an invasive marine species
Authors: Jaspers Cornelia , Marty Lise , Kiørboe Thomas 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSpecies establishing outside their natural range, negatively impacting local ecosystems, are of increasing global concern. They often display life‐history features characteristic for r‐selected populations with fast growth and high reproduction rates to achieve positive population growth rates (r) in invaded habitats. Here, we demonstrate substantially earlier maturation at a 2 orders of magnitude lower body mass at first reproduction in invasive compared to native populations of the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi. Empirical results are corroborated by a theoretical model for competing life‐history traits that predicts maturation at the smallest possible size to optimize r, while individual lifetime reproductive success (R0), optimized in native populations, is near constant over a large range of intermediate maturation sizes. We suggest that high variability in reproductive tactics in native populations is an underappreciated determinant of invasiveness, acting as substrate upon which selection can act during the invasion process.
Risk factor management in a contemporary Australian population at increased cardiovascular disease risk
Authors: Campbell Duncan J. , Coller Jennifer M. , Gong Fei Fei , McGrady Michele , Prior David L. , Boffa Umberto , Shiel Louise , Liew Danny , Wolfe Rory , Owen Alice J. , Krum Henry , Reid Christopher M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundEffective management of cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease risk factors offers longer, healthier lives and savings in healthcare.AimTo examine risk factor management in participants of the SCReening Evaluation of the Evolution of New Heart Failure study, a self‐selected population at increased cardiovascular disease risk recruited from members of a health insurance fund in Melbourne and Shepparton, Australia.MethodsInclusion criteria were age ≥ 60 years with one or more self‐reported ischaemic or other heart diseases, irregular or rapid heart rhythm, cerebrovascular disease, renal impairment or treatment for hypertension or diabetes for ≥2 years. Exclusion criteria were known heart failure or cardiac abnormality on echocardiography or other imaging. Medical history, clinical examination, full blood examination and biochemistry (without lipids and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)) were performed for 3847 participants on enrolment, and blood pressure, lipids and HbA1c were measured 1–2 years after enrolment for 3203 participants.ResultsDespite 99% of 3294 participants with hypertension receiving antihypertensive medication, half had blood pressures >140/90 mmHg. Approximately 77% of participants were overweight or obese, with one third being obese. Additionally, 74% of participants at high cardiovascular disease risk had low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ≥2 mmol/L, one third of diabetic participants had HbA1c >7%, 22% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73m2, and substantial proportions had under‐utilisation of antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation and were physically inactive.ConclusionsThis population demonstrated substantial potential to reduce cardiovascular and renal morbidity and mortality and healthcare costs through more effective management of modifiable risk factors.
Efficacy and safety of tofacitinib for moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Kuo C.‐M. , Tung T.‐H. , Wang S.‐H. , Chi C.‐C. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe effects of tofacitinib in treating moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis were unclear. We aimed to assess the effects of tofacitinib in treating moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and EMBASE for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Four RCTs with 2724 participants were included. Compared to placebo, tofacitinib significantly improved psoriasis {≥75% reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score: 5 mg BID: risk difference (RD) 0.32 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28–0.35], 10 mg BID: RD 0.51 (95% CI 0.43–0.58); ≥90% reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score: 5 mg BID: RD 0.19 (95% CI 0.17–0.22), 10 mg BID: RD 0.36 (95% CI 0.31–0.42); Physician's Global Assessment 0/1: 5 mg BID: RD 0.31 (95% CI 0.27–0.35), 10 mg BID: RD 0.48 (95% CI 0.44–0.53)} and participants’ life quality [Dermatology Life Quality Index 0/1: 5 mg BID: RD 0.24 (95% CI 0.20–0.2), 10 mg BID: RD 0.36 (95% CI 0.33–0.40)]. Tofacitinib was associated with an increase in minor adverse events [upper respiratory tract infection: 5 mg BID: RD 0.02 (95% CI 0.00–0.03), 10 mg BID: RD 0.02 (95% CI 0.00–0.04); hypercholesterolaemia: 5 mg BID: RD 0.02 (95% CI 0.01–0.04), 10 mg BID: RD 0.02 (95% CI 0.01–0.04)]. In conclusion, tofacitinib may be a treatment option for moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis that is unresponsive to other therapies and patients who are intolerable to other therapies or prefer oral medications.
Thermal acclimation inArabidopsis lyrata: genotypic costs and transcriptional changes
Authors: Wos G. , Willi Y. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractFrost and heat events can be challenging for sessile organisms that cannot escape thermal extremes. However, adverse effects of thermal stress on fitness may be reduced by pre‐exposure to cold or heat, a process known as acclimation. To understand the ecological and evolutionary implications of acclimation, we investigated (1) the reduction in performance due to stress pre‐exposure, (2) the magnitude of increased leaf resistance to subsequent stress, (3) the costs of acclimation and (4) the genes differing in expression due to stress pre‐exposure. Plants ofArabidopsis lyratawere raised under three treatments of pre‐exposure: bouts of frost, bouts of heat or constant temperature. Resistance of leaves to subsequent frost and heat stress was then measured by electrolyte leakage.RNA‐seq analysis was performed to examine the genes differentially expressed between stress‐pre‐exposed and control plants. Pre‐exposure to stress during growth decreased plant size and increased leaf resistance to subsequent stress independent of whether pre‐exposure was to frost or heat. But the highest increase in leaf resistance to frost was found after pre‐exposure to frost (as a trend) and in leaf resistance to heat after pre‐exposure to heat. No evidence for costs of acclimation was detected.RNA‐sequencing suggested that acclimation by frost and heat pre‐exposure was caused by distinct mechanisms: modification of the chloroplast membrane and modification of the cell wall and membrane, respectively. Our results suggest that thermal resistance is a labile complex of traits, strongly affected by the previously experienced stress environment, with undetermined costs.
Reproducibility of Brain MRI Segmentation Algorithms: Empirical Comparison of Local MAP PSTAPLE, FreeSurfer, and FSL‐FIRST
Authors: Velasco‐Annis Clemente , Akhondi‐Asl Alireza , Stamm Aymeric , Warfield Simon K. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSESegmentation of human brain structures is crucial for the volumetric quantification of brain disease. Advances in algorithmic approaches have led to automated techniques that save time compared to interactive methods. Recently, the utility and accuracy of template library fusion algorithms, such as Local MAP PSTAPLE (PSTAPLE), have been demonstrated but there is little guidance regarding its reproducibility compared to single template‐based algorithms such as FreeSurfer and FSL‐FIRST.METHODSEight repeated magnetic resonance imagings of 20 subjects were segmented using FreeSurfer, FSL‐FIRST, and PSTAPLE. We reported the reproducibility of segmentation‐derived volume measurements for brain structures and calculated sample size estimates for detecting hypothetical rates of tissue atrophy given the observed variances.RESULTSPSTAPLE had the most reproducible volume measurements for hippocampus, putamen, thalamus, caudate, pallidum, amygdala, Accumbens area, and cortical regions. FreeSurfer was most reproducible for brainstem. PSTAPLE was the most accurate algorithm in terms of several metrics include Dice's coefficient. The sample size estimates showed that a study utilizing PSTAPLE would require tens to hundreds less subjects than the other algorithms for detecting atrophy rates typically observed in brain disease.CONCLUSIONSPSTAPLE is a useful tool for automatic human brain segmentation due to its precision and accuracy, which enable the detection of the size of the effect typically reported for neurological disorders with a substantially reduced sample size, in comparison to the other tools we assessed. This enables randomized controlled trials to be executed with reduced cost and duration, in turn, facilitating the assessment of new therapeutic interventions.
The CT‐Defined Hyperdense Arterial Sign as a Marker for Acute Intracerebral Large Vessel Occlusion
Authors: Lim Jaims , Magarik Jordan A. , Froehler Michael T. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTBackground and PurposeTo determine the sensitivity and specificity of the hyperdense artery sign (HAS) on thin‐slice non‐contrast computed tomography (NCCT), combined with brief clinical history, as an indicator for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the setting of acute ischemic stroke.MethodsNinety‐nine LVO and 102 non‐LVO acute ischemic stroke patients were retrospectively identified from a prospective database at a single institution. After reviewing each patient's neurologic presentation based on his or her initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and neurologic evaluation, all thin (1 mm) and thick (5 mm) NCCT scans were reviewed for the HAS. Analysis of sensitivity and specificity was conducted to determine the utility of the HAS sign as a reliable marker for LVO in acute ischemic stroke patients.ResultsOf the 99 LVO stroke patients, 66 HASs were identified on NCCT. Of the 102 non‐LVO patients, 18 false‐positive HASs were identified. The sensitivity and specificity of the HAS, respectively, was 67% and 82%. By anatomic distribution, the sensitivity of identifying basilar artery occlusions was 75%, and the sensitivity of identifying middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1 branch occlusions was 76%. Among patients with an NIHSS > 10, the sensitivity was 79%; whereas sensitivity was 50% if NIHSS was ≤ 10.ConclusionsThe HAS on thin‐slice NCCT has a reasonably high sensitivity and specificity for identifying LVO in acute ischemic stroke patients presenting with an NIHSS > 10 and suspected MCA M1 or basilar artery occlusion.
Using Electromagnetic Articulography to Measure Denture Micromovement during Chewing with and without Denture Adhesive
Authors: Hoke Phyllis , Tiede Mark , Grender Julie , Klukowska Malgorzata , Peters Jill , Carr Gregory 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPurposeTo study the effects of denture adhesive upon denture micromovements in three dimensions during the chewing of hard, sticky, and tough food items observed using a novel method involving an electromagnetic articulograph (EMA) speech research system.Materials and MethodsTen volunteers (mean age 60.9 ± 10.4 years) with fair‐ or poor‐fitting complete maxillary dentures were enrolled. Chewing experiments were conducted using two treatments (adhesive or no‐adhesive control) and three foods: carrots (hard), raisins (sticky), and processed meat stick (tough). Denture micromovement was measured through a novel application of a Northern Digital Wave EMA System. Three‐dimensional denture position was captured during mastication using three sensors embedded into a replica denture for each subject. Following individual characterization of a “home” reference position, the Euclidean Distances from Home (DfH) were calculated for each recorded sample of the chewing experiments. The DfH at each sample represented the denture movement for that 1/100th of a second of the activity. The DfH data were then summarized as the mean DfH, the maximum DfH, and total distance traveled by the denture. Several thresholds were also analyzed, including the percent of time that the DfH ≥1.5 mm, ≥2.0 mm, and ≥2.5 mm.ResultsWith adhesive treatment, the mean DfH of dentures during chewing was reduced by 26.8% for carrot, 30.3% for raisin, and 31.0% for meat stick, when compared with no‐adhesive treatment (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Similar results were also seen for the maximum DfH and total distance travelled endpoints across foods. For the threshold endpoints, adhesive treatment was associated with a statistically significant reduction in denture micromovements at all three thresholds across foods. At the threshold of DfH ≥ 1.5 mm, adhesive treatment was associated with a reduction in micromovement by 61.6%, 56.2%, and 70.0% with carrot, raisin, and meat stick, respectively (p ≤ 0.004 for all comparisons).ConclusionsObservations of denture movement using the Wave EMA System were able to differentiate systematically between adhesive treatment and no‐adhesive treatment for denture micromovements during different chewing challenges. Use of adhesive was associated with statistically significant reductions in denture micromovements for hard, sticky, and tough foods as measured with both distance and threshold endpoints.
Faecal calcium excretion does not decrease during long‐term feeding of a low‐calcium diet in adult dogs
Authors: Schmitt S. , Mack J. , Kienzle E. , Alexander L. G. , Morris P. J. , Colyer A. , Dobenecker B. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryAccording to a previous meta‐analysis, adult dogs do not notably increase calcium absorption from the gastrointestinal tract when calcium intake is decreased. This results in a negative calcium balance even with a moderate calcium reduction. In this study we wanted to verify (i) whether a negative calcium balance occurs at a calcium intake equivalent to NRC (2006) (Nutrient requirements of dogs and cats, 2006, The National Academies Press, Washington, DC) minimal requirements, and if so (ii) whether the negative calcium balance will persist for up to 6 months on a low‐calcium diet. After a pre‐feeding period of at least 18 weeks with calcium intake slightly exceeding maintenance requirements (200 mg/kg body weight0.75), 12 dogs (6 Beagles, 6 Foxhound crossbreds) were fed a low‐calcium diet for 28 weeks. One dog was removed from the trial for reasons unrelated to the study at week 23. Calcium intake amounted to 60 mg/kg body weight0.75 corresponding to the minimal requirement for maintenance in dogs (NRC, 2006 (Nutrient requirements of dogs and cats, 2006, The National Academies Press, Washington, DC)). Digestion trials were carried out at week 7, 14, 21 and 28 of the low calcium feeding period. At these time points, and at week 18 of the pre‐trial, blood samples were taken and analysed for calcium, ionised calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, serum crosslaps and bone alkaline phosphatase. Apparent calcium digestibility was negative throughout the study, suggesting a negative calcium balance. There was no systematic decrease in faecal calcium excretion. Serum calcium, ionised calcium and phosphorus remained within the reference range. Serum crosslaps increased continuously from baseline to week 28 of trial, with averages increasing from 0.102 ng/ml to 0.279 ng/ml, suggesting osteoclastic activity, indicative of calcium mobilisation from the skeleton. The study supports the theory of a lack of adaptation of intestinal calcium absorption from diets with relatively low calcium content in dogs. This agrees with clinical findings in dogs eating low‐calcium diet.
Light sensing by opsins and fungal ecology: NOP‐1 modulates entry into sexual reproduction in response to environmental cues
Authors: Wang Zheng , Wang Junrui , Li Ning , Li Jigang , Trail Frances , Dunlap Jay C. , Townsend Jeffrey P. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the genetic basis of the switch from asexual to sexual lifestyles in response to sometimes rapid environmental changes is one of the major challenges in fungal ecology. Light appears to play a critical role in the asexual–sexual switch—but fungal genomes harbour diverse light sensors. Fungal opsins are homologous to bacterial green‐light‐sensory rhodopsins, and their organismal functions in fungi have not been well understood. Three of these opsin‐like proteins were widely distributed across fungal genomes, but homologs of the Fusarium opsin‐like protein CarO were present only in plant‐associated fungi. Key amino acids, including potential retinal binding sites, functionally diverged on the phylogeny of opsins. This diversification of opsin‐like proteins could be correlated with life history‐associated differences among fungi in their expression and function during morphological development. In Neurospora crassa and related species, knockout of the opsin NOP‐1 led to a phenotype in the regulation of the asexual–sexual switch, modulating response to both light and oxygen conditions. Sexual development commenced early in ∆nop‐1 strains cultured in unsealed plates under constant blue and white light. Furthermore, comparative transcriptomics showed that the expression of nop‐1 is light‐dependent and that the ∆nop‐1 strain abundantly expresses genes involved in oxidative stress response, genes enriched in NAD/NADP binding sites, genes with functions in proton transmembrane movement and catalase activity, and genes involved in the homeostasis of protons. Based on these observations, we contend that light and oxidative stress regulate the switch via light‐responsive and ROS pathways in model fungus N. crassa and other fungi.
Soybean mosaic virus: a successful potyvirus with a wide distribution but restricted natural host range
Authors: Hajimorad M. R. , Domier L. L. , Tolin S. A. , Whitham S. A. , Saghai Maroof M. A. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryTaxonomySoybean mosaic virus (SMV) is a species within the genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae, which includes almost one‐quarter of all known plant RNA viruses affecting agriculturally important plants. The Potyvirus genus is the largest of all genera of plant RNA viruses with 160 species.ParticleThe filamentous particles of SMV, typical of potyviruses, are about 7500 Å long and 120 Å in diameter with a central hole of about 15 Å in diameter. Coat protein residues are arranged in helices of about 34 Å pitch having slightly less than nine subunits per turn.GenomeThe SMV genome consists of a single‐stranded, positive‐sense, polyadenylated RNA of approximately 9.6 kb with a virus‐encoded protein (VPg) linked at the 5′ terminus. The genomic RNA contains a single large open reading frame (ORF). The polypeptide produced from the large ORF is processed proteolytically by three viral‐encoded proteinases to yield about 10 functional proteins. A small ORF, partially overlapping the P3 cistron, pipo, is encoded as a fusion protein in the N‐terminus of P3 (P3N + PIPO).Biological propertiesSMV's host range is restricted mostly to two plant species of a single genus: Glycine max (cultivated soybean) and G. soja (wild soybean). SMV is transmitted by aphids non‐persistently and by seeds. The variability of SMV is recognized by reactions on cultivars with dominant resistance (R) genes. Recessive resistance genes are not known.Geographical distribution and economic importanceAs a consequence of its seed transmissibility, SMV is present in all soybean‐growing areas of the world. SMV infections can reduce significantly seed quantity and quality (e.g. mottled seed coats, reduced seed size and viability, and altered chemical composition).ControlThe most effective means of managing losses from SMV are the planting of virus‐free seeds and cultivars containing single or multiple R genes.Key attractionsThe interactions of SMV with soybean genotypes containing different dominant R genes and an understanding of the functional role(s) of SMV‐encoded proteins in virulence, transmission and pathogenicity have been investigated intensively. The SMV–soybean pathosystem has become an excellent model for the examination of the genetics and genomics of a uniquely complex gene‐for‐gene resistance model in a crop of worldwide importance.