bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of diabetes mellitus and hepatitis B virus coinfection on patients with chronic hepatitis C: A territory‐wide cohort study
Authors: Subramaniam Shreenidhi , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Tse Yee‐Kit , Yip Terry Cheuk‐Fung , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Wong Grace Lai‐Hung 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackground and AimStudies have demonstrated a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Furthermore, coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common because of its endemicity in Asian–Pacific regions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of DM and HBV coinfection on the clinical outcomes in Chinese CHC patients.MethodsA territory‐wide cohort study was conducted using the database from Hospital Authority, the sole public medical service provider in Hong Kong. CHC patients were identified by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes, diagnosed between 2000 and 2012. The primary outcome was overall mortality.ResultsA total of 7149 CHC patients were included. Seven hundred twenty‐two (10.1%) patients were coinfected with HBV. Their mean age was 56 years; 69.0% were men. The prevalence of DM was similar in mono‐infection and coinfection cohorts (22.3% and 21.3%, respectively). Multivariable analysis identified DM as an independent risk factor for death and antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) as an independent protective factor against death. The 5‐year survival of CHC patients with mono‐infection was better than that of HBV coinfected patients (62.5% vs 57.0%; P = 0.001). The 5‐year survival of patients who did or did not receive antiviral treatment for HCV was 94.7% and 55.2%, respectively (P < 0.001).ConclusionsHepatitis B virus coinfection and DM were independent risk factors for death in Hong Kong CHC patients. Antiviral treatment for HCV but not HBV was a protective factor against death.
Clinical significance of nutritional risk screening tool for hospitalised children with acute burn injuries: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Bang Y. K. , Park M. K. , Ju Y. S. , Cho K. Y. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundWe assessed the nutritional risks among children hospitalised with acute burn injuries and their associated clinical outcomes using three nutritional risk screening (NRS) tools: Screening Tool for Risk of Impaired Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGKIDS), Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS) and Screening Tool for the Assessment for Malnutrition in Pediatrics (STAMP).MethodsThis prospective cross‐sectional study was conducted from October 2015 to November 2016, in a regional burn centre. Patients were screened by two independent observers, using the three NRS tools.ResultsA total of 100 children aged 3 months to 16.5 years were included. STRONGKIDS identified 16% of patients as having high risk, with being identified 45% by PYMS and 44% by STAMP. After adjustment for confounding factors in multivariate regression analysis, patients in the high‐risk group had significantly longer median (SD) lengths of stay [medium versus high risk: STRONGKIDS, 9.5 (6.6) versus 15.0 (24.2) days; PYMS, 8.5 (4.4) versus 13.0 (16.1) days; STAMP, 9.0 (5.7) versus 11.0 (17.4) days] and greater median (SD) weight loss [medium versus high risk: STRONGKIDS, 0.15 (0.8) versus ‐0.35 (0.8) kg; STAMP, 0.5 (0.7) versus 0 (0.1) kg] than patients in the medium‐risk group (P < 0.05). The strengths of agreement in the nutritional risk classification between the two observers were good (κ for STRONGKIDS = 0.61; PYMS = 0.79; STAMP = 0.75) (P < 0.01).ConclusionsThe STRONGKIDS, PYMS and STAMP tools could be useful and practical for determining which hospitalised children with acute burn injuries will need additional nutritional intervention.
Does pathology of small venules contribute to cerebral microinfarcts and dementia?
Authors: Hartmann David A. , Hyacinth Hyacinth I. , Liao Francesca‐Fang , Shih Andy Y. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMicroinfarcts are small, but strikingly common, ischemic brain lesions in the aging human brain. There is mounting evidence that microinfarcts contribute to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia, but the origins of microinfarcts are unclear. Understanding the vascular pathologies that cause microinfarcts may yield strategies to prevent their occurrence and reduce their deleterious effects on brain function. Current thinking suggests that cortical microinfarcts arise from the occlusion of penetrating arterioles, which are responsible for delivering oxygenated blood to small volumes of tissue. Unexpectedly, pre‐clinical studies have shown that the occlusion of penetrating venules, which drain deoxygenated blood from cortex, lead to microinfarcts that appear identical to those resulting from arteriole occlusion. Here we discuss the idea that cerebral venule pathology could be an overlooked source for brain microinfarcts in humans.
image
This article is part of the Special Issue “Vascular Dementia”.Cover Image for this Issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14167.
Diagnostic Expectations and Credit Cycles
Authors: BORDALO PEDRO , GENNAIOLI NICOLA , SHLEIFER ANDREI 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTWe present a model of credit cycles arising from diagnostic expectations—a belief formation mechanism based on Kahneman and Tversky's representativeness heuristic. Diagnostic expectations overweight future outcomes that become more likely in light of incoming data. The expectations formation rule is forward looking and depends on the underlying stochastic process, and thus is immune to the Lucas critique. Diagnostic expectations reconcile extrapolation and neglect of risk in a unified framework. In our model, credit spreads are excessively volatile, overreact to news, and are subject to predictable reversals. These dynamics can account for several features of credit cycles and macroeconomic volatility.
Both modular and single‐domain Type I polyketide synthases are expressed in the brevetoxin‐producing dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis (Dinophyceae)
Authors: Van Dolah Frances M. , Kohli Gurjeet S. , Morey Jeanine S. , Murray Shauna A. 
Published: September 2017

Dinoflagellates are prolific producers of polyketide compounds, many of which are potent toxins with adverse impacts on human and marine animal health. To identify polyketide synthase (PKS) genes in the brevetoxin‐producing dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, we assembled a transcriptome from 595 million Illumina reads, sampled under different growth conditions. The assembly included 125,687 transcripts greater than 300 nt in length, with over half having >100× coverage. We found 121 transcripts encoding Type I ketosynthase (KS) domains, of which 99 encoded single KS domains, while 22 contained multiple KS domains arranged in 1–3 protein modules. Phylogenetic analysis placed all single domain and a majority of multidomain KSs within a monophyletic clade of protist PKSs. In contrast with the highly amplified single‐domain KSs, only eight single‐domain ketoreductase transcripts were found in the assembly, suggesting that they are more evolutionarily conserved. The multidomain PKSs were dominated by trans‐acyltransferase architectures, which were recently shown to be prevalent in other algal protists. Karenia brevis also expressed several hybrid nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)/PKS sequences, including a burA‐like sequence previously reported in a wide variety of dinoflagellates. This contrasts with a similarly deep transcriptome of Gambierdiscus polynesiensis, which lacked NRPS/PKS other than the burA‐like transcript, and may reflect the presence of amide‐containing polyketides in K. brevis and their absence from G. polynesiensis. In concert with other recent transcriptome analyses, this study provides evidence for both single domain and multidomain PKSs in the synthesis of polyketide compounds in dinoflagellates.
Neurobiological bases of reading disorder part II: The importance of developmental considerations in typical and atypical reading
Authors: Black Jessica M. , Xia Zhichao , Hoeft Fumiko 
Published: September 2017

AbstractDecoding‐based reading disorder (RD; aka developmental dyslexia) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting approximately 5–10% of school‐aged children across languages. Even though neuroimaging studies suggest an impairment of the left reading network in RD, the onset of this deficit and its developmental course, which may include constancy and change, are largely unknown. There is now growing evidence that the recruitment of brain networks underlying perceptual, cognitive, and linguistic processes relevant to reading acquisition varies with age. These age‐dependent changes may in turn impact the neurocognitive characteristics of RD observed at specific developmental stages. Here, we synthesize findings from functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging studies to increase our understanding of the developmental time course of the neural bases underlying (a)typical reading. We first provide an overview of the brain bases of typical and atypical (impaired) reading. Next, we describe how the understanding of RD can be deepened through scientific attention to age effects, for example, by integrating findings from cross‐sectional studies of RD at various ages. Finally, we accent findings from extant longitudinal studies that directly examined developmental reading trajectories beginning in the preliterate stage at both group and individual levels. Although science is at the very early stage of understanding developmental aspects of neural deficits in RD, evidence to date characterizes RD by atypical brain maturation. We contend that exploring the developmental trajectories of RD will contribute to a greater understanding of how neural systems support reading acquisition. Further, we propose and cite evidence that the etiology of RD can be better investigated by distinguishing primary deficits from secondary impairments unfolding along development. These exciting and modern investigatory efforts can also indirectly contribute to a centered practice of early and accurate identification and optimal intervention to support the development of foundational pre‐literacy skills and fluent reading. In sum, integrating a developmental understanding into the science and practice of reading acquisition and intervention is both possible and necessary.
Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in infant formula and cardiovascular markers in childhood
Authors: Pluymen Linda P. M. , Dalmeijer Geertje W. , Smit Henriëtte A. , Uiterwaal Cuno S. P. M. , van der Ent Cornelis K. , van Rossem Lenie 
Published: September 2017

AbstractTo investigate whether children who consumed infant formula supplemented with long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) had a more favourable cardiovascular profile than children who consumed formula without these fatty acids, we used the Wheezing Illnesses Study Leidsche Rijn, a birth cohort that included 2,468 newborns between 2001 and 2014. Data on infant feeding were obtained by questionnaires. At age 5, blood pressure, carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT), and carotid distension were measured. We used multivariable linear regression analysis to compare levels of cardiovascular markers in formula‐fed children born before and after the LCPUFA supplementation. To account for secular trends, we compared levels of cardiovascular markers in a control group of breastfed children from the same cohort born before and after the supplementation. Formula‐fed children born after the LCPUFA supplementation (n = 48) had no different systolic blood pressure (−2.58 mmHg, 95% confidence interval, CI [−5.5, 0.30]), diastolic blood pressure (−0.13 mmHg, 95% CI [−2.3, 2.1]), or carotid distension (24.8 MPa−1, 95% CI [−47.1, 96.6]) and had a higher CIMT (18.6 μm, 95% CI [3.7, 33.5]) than formula‐fed children born before the supplementation (n = 163). In the control group, children born after the LCPUFA supplementation (n = 98) had no different systolic‐ or diastolic‐blood pressure, or CIMT, and a higher carotid distension than children born before the supplementation (n = 142).In conclusion, children who consumed infant formula supplemented with LCPUFAs did not have a more favourable cardiovascular profile in early childhood than children who consumed formula without LCPUFAs.
The HLA‐B landscape of Africa: Signatures of pathogen‐driven selection and molecular identification of candidate alleles to malaria protection
Authors: Sanchez‐Mazas Alicia , Černý Viktor , Di Da , Buhler Stéphane , Podgorná Eliška , Chevallier Elodie , Brunet Lydie , Weber Stephan , Kervaire Barbara , Testi Manuela , Andreani Marco , Tiercy Jean‐Marie , Villard Jean , Nunes José Manuel 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHuman leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes play a key role in the immune response to infectious diseases, some of which are highly prevalent in specific environments, like malaria in sub‐Saharan Africa. Former case–control studies showed that one particular HLA‐B allele, B*53, was associated with malaria protection in Gambia, but this hypothesis was not tested so far within a population genetics framework. In this study, our objective was to assess whether pathogen‐driven selection associated with malaria contributed to shape the HLA‐B genetic landscape of Africa. To that aim, we first typed the HLA‐A and ‐B loci in 484 individuals from 11 populations living in different environments across the Sahel, and we analysed these data together with those available for 29 other populations using several approaches including linear modelling on various genetic, geographic and environmental parameters. In addition to relevant signatures of populations’ demography and migrations history in the genetic differentiation patterns of both HLA‐A and ‐B loci, we found that the frequencies of three HLA alleles, B*53, B*78 and A*74, were significantly associated with Plasmodium falciparum malaria prevalence, suggesting their increase through pathogen‐driven selection in malaria‐endemic environments. The two HLA‐B alleles were further identified, by high‐throughput sequencing, as B*53:01:01 (in putative linkage disequilibrium with one HLA‐C allele, C*04:01:01:01) and B*78:01 in all but one individuals tested, making them appropriate candidates to malaria protection. These results highlight the role of environmental factors in the evolution of the HLA polymorphism and open key perspectives for functional studies focusing on HLA peptide‐binding properties.
Integration of genetic and seed fitness data to the conservation of isolated subpopulations of the Mediterranean plantMalcolmia littorea
Authors: De Vitis M. , Mattioni C. , Mattana E. , Pritchard H. W. , Seal C. E. , Ulian T. , Cherubini M. , Magrini S. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPlant autoecology and population genetics provide a perspective on the likelihood of natural regeneration, which is critical when designing conservation strategies for endangered species. The threatened coastal plantMalcolmia littorea(Brassicaceae) was sampled across its European distribution and studied for genetic diversity and seed fitness, with the aim of providing information for the conservation of isolated and declining populations.Nine microsatellite markers (five chloroplast and four nuclear) were analysed to assess population genetic diversity and structure and to conduct a spatial analysis using the software DIVA‐GIS. Germination percentages and rates were assessed by incubating the seeds under eight constant temperatures (0–27 °C).The genetic diversity was found to be similar among subpopulations (chloroplastH = 0.04–0.17; nuclearHo = 0.20–0.37), with no correlation between subpopulation diversity and the area of occupancy (AOO). The subpopulations were found to be clustered in three genetic groups, and three of them were identified as conservation priorities due to their unique genetic composition. The germination study revealed a significant influence of the maternal environment and AOO on seed germination, with the smaller subpopulations showing lower germination percentages (P < 0.05).These results highlight the importance of obtaining information on isolated subpopulations through different experimental approaches (e.g. seed germination plus population genetics) to enable planning of effective conservation actions. ForM. littorea, seed collection for bothin situandex situconservation should take into account the local adaptation of the subpopulation and the genetic structure of the species.
A functional zeaxanthin epoxidase from red algae shedding light on the evolution of light‐harvesting carotenoids and the xanthophyll cycle in photosynthetic eukaryotes
Authors: Dautermann Oliver , Lohr Martin 
Published: September 2017

SummaryThe epoxy‐xanthophylls antheraxanthin and violaxanthin are key precursors of light‐harvesting carotenoids and participate in the photoprotective xanthophyll cycle. Thus, the invention of zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) catalyzing their formation from zeaxanthin has been a fundamental step in the evolution of photosynthetic eukaryotes. ZEP genes have only been found in Viridiplantae and chromalveolate algae with secondary plastids of red algal ancestry, suggesting that ZEP evolved in the Viridiplantae and spread to chromalveolates by lateral gene transfer. By searching publicly available sequence data from 11 red algae covering all currently recognized red algal classes we identified ZEP candidates in three species. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the red algal ZEP is most closely related to ZEP proteins from photosynthetic chromalveolates possessing secondary plastids of red algal origin. Its enzymatic activity was assessed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses of red algal pigment extracts and by cloning and functional expression of the ZEP gene from Madagascaria erythrocladioides in leaves of the ZEP‐deficient aba2 mutant of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. Unlike other ZEP enzymes examined so far, the red algal ZEP introduces only a single epoxy group into zeaxanthin, yielding antheraxanthin instead of violaxanthin. The results indicate that ZEP evolved before the split of Rhodophyta and Viridiplantae and that chromalveolates acquired ZEP from the red algal endosymbiont and not by lateral gene transfer. Moreover, the red algal ZEP enables engineering of transgenic plants incorporating antheraxanthin instead of violaxanthin in their photosynthetic machinery.
Use of urinary bladder measurements from a point‐of‐care cysto‐colic ultrasonographic view to estimate urinary bladder volume in dogs and cats
Authors: Lisciandro Gregory R. , Fosgate Geoffrey T. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo develop a point‐of‐care ultrasound‐derived formula to estimate urinary bladder volume noninvasively in dogs and cats.DesignProspective case series.SettingPrivate 24‐hour veterinary emergency center.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs and cats requiring urethral catheterization.InterventionsUltrasound measurements of length, width, and height of balloons filled with known water volumes were used to develop a formula to estimate urinary bladder volume using linear regression. The formula was then applied to point‐of‐care ultrasound‐derived cysto‐colic view measurements, and calculations were compared to total aspirated urine volume.Measurements and Main ResultsFifteen balloons with known volumes (median, 126 mL [range, 27–689 mL]) were used to identify length × width × height (cm) × 0.2 × π as the best formula to estimate urinary bladder volume in milliliters. Fourteen cats and 14 dogs were used for comparison of formula‐derived volume estimate to actual urinary bladder volume. Median aspirated urine volume, bias (formula‐derived minus actual aspirated), and percentage difference were 80 mL, –4.1 mL, and –6.6% for cats, respectively. For dogs, the results were 78 mL, 3.4 mL, and 3.6%, respectively.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceThe point‐of‐care ultrasound‐derived formula may be useful to estimate urine volume noninvasively in dogs and cats.
Calcium influx through TRPV4 channels modulates the adherens contacts between retinal microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Phuong Tam T. T. , Redmon Sarah N. , Yarishkin Oleg , Winter Jacob M. , Li Dean Y. , Križaj David 
Published: September 2017

Key pointsEndothelial cells employ transient receptor potential isoform 4 (TRPV4) channels to sense ambient mechanical and chemical stimuli.In retinal microvascular endothelial cells, TRPV4 channels regulate calcium homeostasis, cytoskeletal signalling and the organization of adherens junctional contacts.Intracellular calcium increases induced by TRPV4 agonists include a significant contribution from calcium release from internal stores.Activation of TRPV4 channels regulates retinal endothelial barriersin vitroandin vivo.TRPV4 sensing may provide a feedback mechanism between sensing shear flow and eicosanoid modulators, vascular permeability and contractility at the inner retinal endothelial barrier.AbstractThe identity of microvascular endothelial (MVE) mechanosensors that sense blood flow in response to mechanical and chemical stimuli and regulate vascular permeability in the retina is unknown. Using immunohistochemistry, calcium imaging, electrophysiology, impedance measurements and vascular permeability assays, we show that the transient receptor potential isoform 4 (TRPV4) plays a major role in Ca2+/cation signalling, cytoskeletal remodelling and barrier function in retinal microvasculaturein vitroandin vivo. Human retinal MVE cells (HrMVECs) predominantly expressedTrpv1andTrpv4transcripts, and TRPV4 was broadly localized to the plasma membrane of cultured cells and intact blood vessels in the inner retina. Treatment with the selective TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A (GSK101) activated a nonselective cation current, robustly elevated [Ca2+]iand reversibly increased the permeability of MVEC monolayers. This was associated with disrupted organization of endothelial F‐actin, downregulated expression of occludin and remodelling ofadherenscontacts consisting of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE‐cadherin) and β‐catenin.In vivo, GSK101 increased the permeability of retinal blood vessels in wild type but not in TRPV4 knockout mice. Agonist‐evoked effects on barrier permeability and cytoskeletal reorganization were antagonized by the selective TRPV4 blocker HC 067047. Human choroidal endothelial cells expressed lower TRPV4 mRNA/protein levels and showed less pronounced agonist‐evoked calcium signals compared to MVECs. These findings indicate a major role for TRPV4 in Ca2+homeostasis and barrier function in human retinal capillaries and suggest that TRPV4 may differentially contribute to the innervs. outer blood–retinal barrier function.
The Staphylococcus aureus Cell Wall-Anchored Protein Clumping Factor A Is an Important T Cell Antigen
Authors: Lacey Keenan A. , Leech John M. , Lalor Stephen J. , McCormack Niamh , Geoghegan Joan A. , McLoughlin Rachel M. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus
has become increasingly resistant to antibiotics, and vaccines offer a potential solution to this epidemic of antimicrobial resistance. Targeting of specific T cell subsets is now considered crucial for next-generation anti-
S. aureus
vaccines; however, there is a paucity of information regarding T cell antigens of
S. aureus
. This study highlights the importance of cell wall-anchored proteins as human CD4
+
T cell activators capable of driving antigen-specific Th1 and Th17 cell activation. Clumping factor A (ClfA), which contains N1, N2, and N3 binding domains, was found to be a potent human T cell activator. We further investigated which subdomains of ClfA were involved in T cell activation and found that the full-length ClfA N123 and N23 were potent Th1 and Th17 activators. Interestingly, the N1 subdomain was capable of exclusively activating Th1 cells. Furthermore, when these subdomains were used in a model vaccine, N23 and N1 offered Th1- and Th17-mediated systemic protection in mice upon intraperitoneal challenge. Overall, however, full-length ClfA N123 is required for maximal protection both locally and systemically.