bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Life‐course of atopy and allergy‐related disease events in tropical sub‐Saharan Africa: A birth cohort study
Authors: Lule Swaib A. , Mpairwe Harriet , Nampijja Margaret , Akello Florence , Kabagenyi Joyce , Namara Benigna , Nkurunungi Gyaviira , Kizito Dennison , Kahwa Joseph , Muhangi Lawrence , Nash Stephen , Muwanga Moses , Webb Emily L. , Elliott Alison M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundIn high‐income countries, allergy‐related diseases (ARDs) follow a typical sequence, the ‘Atopic March’. Little is known about the life‐course of ARDs in the markedly different, low‐income, tropical environment. We describe ARDs in a tropical, African birth cohort.MethodsUgandan children were followed from birth to 9 years. ISAAC questionnaires were completed at intervals; doctor‐diagnosed ARDs were recorded throughout follow‐up. Skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed at 3 and 9 years. Atopy was defined as ≥1 positive SPT.ResultsOf the 2345 live‐born children, 1214 (52%) were seen at 9 years. Wheeze and eczema were common in infancy, but by 9 years, only 4% reported recent wheeze, 5% eczema and 5% rhinitis. Between 3 and 9 years, atopy prevalence increased from 19% to 25%. Atopy at 3 or 9 years was associated with reported ARD events at 9 years, for example OR = 5.2 (95% CI 2.9–10.7) for atopy and recent wheeze at 9 years. Reported or doctor‐diagnosed ARD events in early childhood were associated with the same events in later childhood, for example OR = 4.4 (2.3–8.4) for the association between reported wheeze before 3 years with reported recent wheeze at 9 years, but progression from early eczema to later rhinitis or asthma was not observed.ConclusionAllergen sensitization started early in childhood and increased with age. Eczema and wheeze were common in infancy and declined with age. Atopy was strongly associated with ARD among the few affected children. The typical Atopic March did not occur. Environmental exposures during childhood may dissociate atopy and ARD.
Kant's Conceptualism: a New Reading of the Transcendental Deduction
Authors: Shaddock Justin B. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractI defend a novel interpretation of Kant's conceptualism regarding the contents of our perceptual experiences. Conceptualist interpreters agree that Kant's Deduction aims to prove that intuitions require the categories for their spatiality and temporality. But conceptualists disagree as to which features of space and time make intuitions require the categories. Interpreters have cited the singularity, unity, infinity, and homogeneity of space and time. But this is incompatible with Kant's Aesthetic, which aims to prove that these same features qualify space and time as intuitions, not concepts. On my interpretation, the feature is objectivity. Space and time are objective, in that they ground our judgments in geometry and mechanics.
A Capacitarian Account of Culpable Ignorance
Authors: Rudy‐Hiller Fernando 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIgnorance usually excuses from responsibility, unless the person is culpable for the ignorance itself. Since a lot of wrongdoing occurs in ignorance, the question of what makes ignorance culpable is central for a theory of moral responsibility. In this article I examine a prominent answer, which I call the ‘volitionalist tracing account,’ and criticize it on the grounds that it relies on an overly restrictive conception of responsibility‐relevant control. I then propose an alternative, which I call the ‘capacitarian conception of control,’ and on the basis of it I advance an account of culpable ignorance that avoids the skeptical upshots of the volitionalist proposal. If correct, my account establishes three important truths: agents can be directly in control of their ignorance, they can be directly responsible for more than actions and omissions, and their moral obligations extend beyond the performance of intentional actions and omissions.
Cognitive Performance and the Alteration of Neuroendocrine Hormones in Chronic Tension‐Type Headache
Authors: Qu Ping , Yu Jin‐Xia , Xia Lan , Chen Gui‐Hai 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTension‐type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent primary headache. Chronic TTH (CTTH), the most serious form of TTH, is refractory, with a high socio‐economic burden. Research studies have shown patients with migraine often had cognitive impairment, but few studies have focused on the cognition in patients with CTTH. In this study, we assumed that patients with CTTH also have cognitive impairments, which are modulated by the neuroendocrine state. Participants were recruited, including patients with CTTH and healthy controls. Cognitive ability was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Nine Box Maze Test. The administration of neuroendocrine hormones has been established to be associated with cognitive performance, and we detected the hormonal changes in the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis, the hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axis, and gonadotropin‐releasing hormone. These results showed that compared to the controls, significant cognitive impairment and neuroendocrine dysfunction were present in the patients with CTTH. We also assessed the correlations between the neuroendocrine hormones and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, 17‐term Hamilton's Depression Scale score, pain intensity, and duration of pain to determine whether the neuroendocrine hormones had any associations with these symptoms of CTTH. These results showed that changes in neuroendocrine hormones were involved in these symptoms of CTTH. Intervention with the neuroendocrine state may be a strategy for CTTH treatment.
Combining two antifungal agents does not enhance survival of Galleria mellonella larvae infected with Madurella mycetomatis
Authors: Eadie Kimberly , Parel Florianne , Helvert‐van Poppel Marilyn , Fahal Ahmed , van de Sande Wendy 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether combination therapy would improve therapeutic outcome in eumycetoma caused by Madurella mycetomatis.MethodsSurvival, colony‐forming units (CFU), melanisation and histopathology in M. mycetomatis‐infected Galleria mellonella larvae treated with amphotericin B, itraconazole, terbinafine or combinations thereof were determined.ResultsCompared to larvae treated with 5% glucose, enhanced survival was obtained when M. mycetomatis‐infected larvae were treated with amphotericin B, but not when they were treated with itraconazole or terbinafine. Combination therapy did not increase survival compared to 5% glucose‐treated larvae, itraconazole‐treated larvae or terbinafine‐treated larvae. Compared to amphotericin B monotreatment, a significant decrease in survival was noted when this therapy was combined with either itraconazole or terbinafine. CFU, melanisation and histopathology did not differ between monotherapy, combination therapy or 5% glucose‐treated larvae.ConclusionsCombining different classes of antifungal agents did not enhance the survival of M. mycetomatis‐infected G. mellonella larvae. Instead of improving the therapeutic outcome, combining either itraconazole or terbinafine with amphotericin B resulted in significantly lower survival rates of infected larvae than amphotericin B monotherapy. This experimental study does not provide support for the use of combined amphotericin B and itraconazole, combined itraconazole and terbinafine or combined terbinafine and amphotericin B and should be confirmed in other animal models.
Metabolic syndrome in patients on first‐line antiretroviral therapy containing zidovudine or tenofovir in rural Lesotho, Southern Africa
Authors: Labhardt Niklaus Daniel , Müller Urs Franz , Ringera Isaac , Ehmer Jochen , Motlatsi Mokete M. , Pfeiffer Karolin , Hobbins Michael A. , Muhairwe Josephine A. , Muser Juergen , Hatz Christoph 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among patients in rural Lesotho who are taking first‐line antiretroviral therapy (ART) containing either zidovudine or tenofovir disoproxil.MethodsCross‐sectional survey in 10 facilities in Lesotho among adult (≥16 years) patients on non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)‐based first‐line ART for ≥6 months. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria.ResultsAmong 1166 patients (65.8% female), 22.2% (95% CI: 19.3–25.3) of women and 6.3% (4.1–9.1) of men met the IDF definition of MetS (P < 0.001). In both sexes, there was no significant difference in MetS prevalence between NNRTIs. However, in women taking zidovudine as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), MetS prevalence was 27.9%, vs. 18.8% in those taking tenofovir. In the multivariate logistic regression allowing for socio‐demographic and clinical covariates, ART containing zidovudine was associated with MetS in women (aOR 2.17 (1.46–3.22), P < 0.001) but not in men.ConclusionIn this study, taking ART containing zidovudine instead of tenofovir disoproxil was an independent predictor of MetS in women but not in men. This finding endorses WHO's recommendation of tenofovir as preferred NRTI.
Defining the Core Citrus Leaf- and Root-Associated Microbiota: Factors Associated with Community Structure and Implications for Managing Huanglongbing (Citrus Greening) Disease
Authors: Blaustein Ryan A. , Lorca Graciela L. , Meyer Julie L. , Gonzalez Claudio F. , Teplitski Max 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT

Stable associations between plants and microbes are critical to promoting host health and productivity. The objective of this work was to test the hypothesis that restructuring of the core microbiota may be associated with the progression of huanglongbing (HLB), the devastating citrus disease caused by
Liberibacter asiaticus
,
Liberibacter americanus
, and
Liberibacter africanus
. The microbial communities of leaves (
n
= 94) and roots (
n
= 79) from citrus trees that varied by HLB symptom severity, cultivar, location, and season/time were characterized with Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. The taxonomically rich communities contained abundant core members (i.e., detected in at least 95% of the respective leaf or root samples), some overrepresented site-specific members, and a diverse community of low-abundance variable taxa. The composition and diversity of the leaf and root microbiota were strongly associated with HLB symptom severity and location; there was also an association with host cultivar. The relative abundance of
Liberibacter
spp. among leaf microbiota positively correlated with HLB symptom severity and negatively correlated with alpha diversity, suggesting that community diversity decreases as symptoms progress. Network analysis of the microbial community time series identified a mutually exclusive relationship between
Liberibacter
spp. and members of the
Burkholderiaceae
,
Micromonosporaceae
, and
Xanthomonadaceae
. This work confirmed several previously described plant disease-associated bacteria, as well as identified new potential implications for biological control. Our findings advance the understanding of (i) plant microbiota selection across multiple variables and (ii) changes in (core) community structure that may be a precondition to disease establishment and/or may be associated with symptom progression.

IMPORTANCE
This study provides a comprehensive overview of the core microbial community within the microbiomes of plant hosts that vary in extent of disease symptom progression. With 16S Illumina sequencing analyses, we not only confirmed previously described bacterial associations with plant health (e.g., potentially beneficial bacteria) but also identified new associations and potential interactions between certain bacteria and an economically important phytopathogen. The importance of core taxa within broader plant-associated microbial communities is discussed.
Chromosome-Encoded Hemolysin, Phospholipase, and Collagenase in Plasmidless Isolates of Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae Contribute to Virulence for Fish
Authors: Vences Ana , Rivas Amable J. , Lemos Manuel L. , Husmann Matthias , Osorio Carlos R. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT

Photobacterium damselae
subsp.
damselae
is a pathogen of marine animals, including fish of importance in aquaculture. The virulence plasmid pPHDD1, characteristic of highly hemolytic isolates, encodes the hemolysins damselysin (Dly) and phobalysin (PhlyP). Strains lacking pPHDD1 constitute the vast majority of the isolates from fish outbreaks, but genetic studies to identify virulence factors in plasmidless strains are scarce. Here, we show that the chromosome I-encoded hemolysin PhlyC plays roles in virulence and cell toxicity in pPHDD1-negative isolates of this pathogen. By combining the analyses of whole genomes and of gene deletion mutants, we identified two hitherto uncharacterized chromosomal loci encoding a phospholipase (PlpV) and a collagenase (ColP). PlpV was ubiquitous in the subspecies and exerted hemolytic activity against fish erythrocytes, which was enhanced in the presence of lecithin. ColP was restricted to a fraction of the isolates and was responsible for the collagen-degrading activity in this subspecies. Consistent with the presence of signal peptides in PlpV and ColP sequences, mutants for the type II secretion system (T2SS) genes
epsL
and
pilD
exhibited impairments in phospholipase and collagenase activities. Sea bass virulence experiments and cell culture assays demonstrated major contributions of PhlyC and PlpV to virulence and toxicity.

IMPORTANCE
This study constitutes genetic and genomic analyses of plasmidless strains of an emerging pathogen in marine aquaculture,
Photobacterium damselae
subsp.
damselae
. To date, studies on the genetic basis of virulence were restricted to the pPHDD1 plasmid-encoded toxins Dly and PhlyP. However, the vast majority of the recent isolates of this pathogen from fish farm outbreaks lack this plasmid. Here we demonstrate that the plasmidless strains produce two hitherto uncharacterized ubiquitous toxins encoded in chromosome I, namely, the hemolysin PhlyC and the phospholipase PlpV. We report the main roles of these two toxins in fish virulence and in cell toxicity. Our results constitute the basis for a better understanding of the virulence of a widespread marine pathogen.
Differential Impacts of Land-Based Sources of Pollution on the Microbiota of Southeast Florida Coral Reefs
Authors: Staley Christopher , Kaiser Thomas , Gidley Maribeth L. , Enochs Ian C. , Jones Paul R. , Goodwin Kelly D. , Sinigalliano Christopher D. , Sadowsky Michael J. , Chun Chan Lan 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT
Coral reefs are dynamic ecosystems known for decades to be endangered due, in large part, to anthropogenic impacts from land-based sources of pollution (LBSP). In this study, we utilized an Illumina-based next-generation sequencing approach to characterize prokaryotic and fungal communities from samples collected off the southeast coast of Florida. Water samples from coastal inlet discharges, oceanic outfalls of municipal wastewater treatment plants, treated wastewater effluent before discharge, open ocean samples, and coral tissue samples (mucus and polyps) were characterized to determine the relationships between microbial communities in these matrices and those in reef water and coral tissues. Significant differences in microbial communities were noted among all sample types but varied between sampling areas. Contamination from outfalls was found to be the greatest potential source of LBSP influencing native microbial community structure among all reef samples, although pollution from inlets was also noted. Notably, reef water and coral tissue communities were found to be more greatly impacted by LBSP at southern reefs, which also experienced the most degradation during the course of the study. The results of this study provide new insights into how microbial communities from LBSP can impact coral reefs in southeast Florida and suggest that wastewater outfalls may have a greater influence on the microbial diversity and structure of these reef communities than do contaminants carried in runoff, although the influences of runoff and coastal inlet discharge on coral reefs are still substantial.

IMPORTANCE
Coral reefs are known to be endangered due to sewage discharge and to runoff of nutrients, pesticides, and other substances associated with anthropogenic activity. Here, we used next-generation sequencing to characterize the microbial communities of potential contaminant sources in order to determine how environmental discharges of microbiota and their genetic material may influence the microbiomes of coral reef communities and coastal receiving waters. Runoff delivered through inlet discharges impacted coral microbial communities, but impacts from oceanic outfalls carrying treated wastewater were greater. Geographic differences in the degree of impact suggest that coral microbiomes may be influenced by the microbiological quality of treated wastewater.
Rest and treatment/rehabilitation following sport-related concussion: a systematic review
Authors: Schneider Kathryn J , Leddy John J , Guskiewicz Kevin M , Seifert Tad , McCrea Michael , Silverberg Noah D , Feddermann-Demont Nina , Iverson Grant L , Hayden Alix , Makdissi Michael 
Published: March 2017

Aim or objectiveThe objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence regarding rest and active treatment/rehabilitation following sport-related concussion (SRC).DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesMEDLINE (OVID), CINAHL (EbscoHost), PsycInfo (OVID), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (OVID), SPORTDiscus (EbscoHost), EMBASE (OVID) and Proquest DissertationsandTheses Global (Proquest) were searched systematically.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesStudies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) original research; (2) reported SRC as the diagnosis; and (3) evaluated the effect of rest or active treatment/rehabilitation. Review articles were excluded.ResultsTwenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria (9 regarding the effects of rest and 19 evaluating active treatment). The methodological quality of the literature was limited; only five randomised controlled trials (RCTs) met the eligibility criteria. Those RCTs included rest, cervical and vestibular rehabilitation, subsymptom threshold aerobic exercise and multifaceted collaborative care.Summary/conclusionsA brief period (24–48 hours) of cognitive and physical rest is appropriate for most patients. Following this, patients should be encouraged to gradually increase activity. The exact amount and duration of rest are not yet well defined and require further investigation. The data support interventions including cervical and vestibular rehabilitation and multifaceted collaborative care. Closely monitored subsymptom threshold, submaximal exercise may be of benefit.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO 2016:CRD42016039570
Total volume and composition of fluid intake and mortality in older women: a cohort study
Authors: Lim Wai H , Wong Germaine , Lewis Joshua R , Lok Charmaine E , Polkinghorne Kevan R , Hodgson Jonathan , Lim Ee M , Prince Richard L 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivesThe health benefits of ‘drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day” in healthy individuals are largely unproven. We aimed to examine the relationship between total fluid and the sources of fluid consumption, risk of rapid renal decline, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and all-cause mortality in elderly women.Design, setting and participantsWe conducted a longitudinal analysis of a population-based cohort study of 1055 women aged ≥70 years residing in Australia.Main outcome measuresThe associations between total daily fluid intake (defined as total volume of beverage excluding alcohol and milk) and the types of fluid (water, black tea, coffee, milk and other fluids) measured as cups per day and rapid renal decline, CVD and all-cause mortality were assessed using adjusted logistic and Cox regression analyses.ResultsOver a follow-up period of 10 years, 70 (6.6%) experienced rapid renal decline and 362 (34.4%) died, of which 142 (13.5%) deaths were attributed to CVD. The median (IQR) intake of total fluid was 10.4 (8.5–12.5) cups per day, with water (median (IQR) 4 (2–6) cups per day) and black tea (median (IQR) 3 (1–4) cups per day) being the most frequent type of fluid consumed. Every cup per day higher intake of black tea was associated with adjusted HRs of 0.90 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.99) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.86 to 0.98) for CVD mortality and all-cause mortality, respectively. There were no associations between black tea intake and rapid renal decline, or between the quantity or type of other fluids, including water intake, and any clinical outcomes.ConclusionsHabitual higher intake of black tea may potentially improve long-term health outcomes, independent of treating traditional CVD risk factors, but validation of our study findings is essential.
Incidental findings on brain MRI of cognitively normal first-degree descendants of patients with Alzheimer's disease: a cross-sectional analysis from the ALFA (Alzheimer and Families) project
Authors: Brugulat-Serrat Anna , Rojas Santiago , Bargalló Nuria , Conesa Gerardo , Minguillón Carolina , Fauria Karine , Gramunt Nina , Molinuevo José Luis , Gispert Juan Domingo 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivesTo describe the prevalence of brain MRI incidental findings (IF) in a cohort of cognitively normal first-degree descendants of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).DesignCross-sectional observational study.SettingAll scans were obtained with a 3.0 T scanner. Scans were evaluated by a single neuroradiologist and IF recorded and categorised. The presence of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) was determined with the Fazekas scale and reported as relevant if ≥2.Participants575 participants (45–75 years) underwent high-resolution structural brain MRI. Participants were cognitively normal and scored over the respective cut-off values in all the following neuropsychological tests: Mini-Mental State Examination (≥26), Memory Impairment Screen (≥6), Time Orientation Subtest of the Barcelona Test II (≥68), verbal semantic fluency (naming animals ≥12). Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) had to be 0.Results155 participants (27.0%) presented with at least one IF. Relevant WMH were present in 7.8% of the participants, and vascular abnormalities, cyst and brain volume loss in 10.7%, 3.1% and 6.9% of the study volunteers, respectively. Neoplastic brain findings were found in 2.4% of participants and within these, meningiomas were the most common (1.7%) and more frequently found in women. A positive correlation between increasing age and the presence of IF was found. Additionally, brain atrophy greater than that expected by age was significantly more prevalent in participants without a parental history of AD.ConclusionsBrain MRIs of healthy middle-aged participants show a relatively high prevalence of IF even when study participants have been screened for subtle cognitive alterations. Most of our participants are first-degree descendants of patients with AD, and therefore these results are of special relevance for novel imaging studies in the context of AD prevention in cognitively healthy middle-aged participants.Trial registration numberNCT02198586.