bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Forced Displacement on Health
Authors: Zilic Ivan 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThe paper analyses health consequences of forced civilian displacement that occurred during the war in Croatia 1991–1995 which accompanied the demise of Yugoslavia. During the Serbo-Croatian conflict a quarter of Croatian territory was ceded, 22000 people were killed and more than 500000 individuals were displaced. Using the Croatian Adult Health Survey 2003 we identify the causal effect of forced migration on various dimensions of measured and self-assessed health. To circumvent the self-selection into displacement, we adopt an instrumental variable approach where civilian casualties per county are used as an instrument for displacement. We find robust adverse effects on probability of suffering hypertension and tachycardia as well as on self-assessed health and ‘Short form health survey’ health dimensions. Comparing ordinary least squares with instrumental variable estimates yields a conclusion of a positive selection into displacement with respect to latent health. Given the likely violation of the exclusion restriction, we use a method which allows the instrument to affect health outcomes directly and conclude that, even with substantial departures from the exclusion restriction, displacement still adversely affects health.
Everyday Consumption of Russian Youth in Small Towns and Villages
Authors: Omelchenko Elena , Poliakov Sviatoslav 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis article analyses the everyday consumption of young people who live in villages and small towns in modern‐day Russia. Based on 59 semi‐structured interviews conducted in three districts of the Leningrad region, the authors try to answer the following questions: How does everyday consumption fit in the biographical experience of rural youth? What consumption styles are implemented in small towns and villages? The conceptual framework of the analysis is the perspective of ‘the lifestyle’, which connects everyday consumption practices with the construction of youth identities. The authors come to the conclusion that the differentiation of the consumption styles of modern rural residents can be explained in the context of life strategies, construed on the basis of family capital, education, employment and orientation towards success. The article describes four basic styles that characterise the consumption of young rural residents, namely ‘family’, ‘status‐oriented’, ‘individualistic’ and ‘conformist’ styles.
Leishmania infection in rodents in Greece
Authors: Tsakmakidis Ιoannis , Angelopoulou Katerina , Dovas Chrysostomos I. , Dokianakis Εmmanouil , Tamvakis Αndroniki , Symeonidou Isaia , Antoniou Μaria , Diakou Αnastasia 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of Leishmania infection in rodents from various areas of northern Greece.MethodsNinety‐seven rodents (66 Mus musculus, 19 Rattus norvegicus and 12 R. rattus) were collected during pest control programmes and examined by cytology (spleen and liver smears), serology (ELISA) and PCR (real‐time and gel‐based) for Leishmania. Date, environment, sex, existence of dogs in the close environment were recorded for each rodent.ResultsAll cytological preparations were negative, whereas specific IgG was detected in 54.5% in total; 70% of R. norvegicus; 50% of R. rattus; and 50% of M. musculus. In at least one molecular method, 19.6% of the samples in total were positive: 25% of R. rattus, 24% of M. musculus, but no R. norvegicus was found positive. Environment (semi‐urban areas, P = 0.037) and species (M. musculus, P = 0.032) were associated with positive PCR. All infected animals showed evidence of low parasite burden, demonstrated by the negative cytological examinations and the high Ct values observed in real‐time PCR.ConclusionDue to the proximity of rodents to humans and dogs, these animals may be important in the epidemiology of leishmaniosis, especially if proven that they can infect sand flies.
The relationship between HIV and fertility in the era of antiretroviral therapy in sub‐Saharan Africa: evidence from 49 Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Marston M. , Zaba B. , Eaton J. W. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectivesTo describe regional differences in the relative fertility of HIV‐positive vs. HIV‐negative women and changes as antiretroviral treatment (ART) is scaled up, to improve estimates of predicted need for and coverage of prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission services at national and subnational levels.MethodsWe analysed 49 nationally representative household surveys in sub‐Saharan Africa between 2003 and 2016 to estimate fertility rate ratios of HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative women by age using exponential regression and test for regional and urban/rural differences. We estimated the association between national ART coverage and the relationship between HIV and fertility.ResultsSignificant regional differences exist in HIV and fertility relationships, with less HIV‐associated subfertility in Southern Africa. Age patterns of relative fertility are similar. HIV impact on fertility is weaker in urban than rural areas. For women below age 30, regional and urban/rural differences are largely explained by differences in age at sexual debut. Higher levels of national ART coverage were associated with slight attenuation of the relationship between HIV and fertility.ConclusionsRegional differences in HIV‐associated subfertility and urban–rural differences in age patterns of relative fertility should be accounted for when predicting need for and coverage of PMTCT services at national and subnational level. Although HIV impacts on fertility are somewhat reduced at higher levels of national ART coverage, differences in fertility between HIV positive and negative remain, and fertility of women on ART should not be assumed to be the same as HIV‐negative women. There were few data in recent years, when ART has reached high levels, and this relationship should continue to be assessed as further evidence becomes available.
Technique‐associated outcomes in horses following large colon resection
Authors: Pezzanite Lynn M. , Hackett Eileen S. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo compare survival and complications in horses undergoing large colon resection with either sutured end‐to‐end or stapled functional end‐to‐end anastomoses.Study designRetrospective cohort study.AnimalsTwenty‐six client‐owned horses with gastrointestinal disease.MethodsRetrospective data were retrieved from the medical records of 26 horses undergoing colectomy, including 14 horses with sutured end‐to‐end and 12 horses with stapled functional end‐to‐end anastomoses, between 2003 and 2016. Records were evaluated for signalment, medical and surgical treatments, and survival to hospital discharge. Long‐term follow‐up was obtained through owner contact. Continuous variables were compared with Mann‐Whitney tests. Fisher's exact testing was used to compare survival to hospital discharge. Survival time was compared by constructing Kaplan‐Meier survival curves and performing log‐rank curve comparison testing.ResultsMean age of horses undergoing colectomy was 13 years. Reason for colectomy was prophylaxis (12) or salvage (14). Mean surgical time was 169 minutes. Mean hospitalization time was 9 days, which did not differ with anastomosis type (P = .62). Nine of 12 horses undergoing stapled functional end‐to‐end anastomosis and 12 of 14 horses undergoing sutured end‐to‐end anastomosis survived to hospital discharge (P = .63). Survival time did not differ with anastomosis technique (P = .35).ConclusionShort‐ and long‐term survival outcomes are not different between sutured end‐to‐end or stapled functional end‐to‐end anastomoses in horses undergoing colectomy.
The role of the blood–brain barrier in hypertension
Authors: Setiadi Anthony , Korim Willian S. , Elsaafien Khalid , Yao Song T. 
Published: October 2017

New Findings
What is the topic of this review?
This review highlights the importance of the blood–brain barrier in the context of diseases involving autonomic dysfunction, such as hypertension and heart failure.

What advances does it highlight?
It highlights the potential role of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, leucocytes and angiotensin II in disrupting the blood–brain barrier in cardiovascular diseases. Advances are highlighted in our understanding of neurovascular unit cells, astrocytes and microglia, with a specific emphasis on their pathogenic roles within the brain.

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a crucial barrier that provides both metabolic and physical protection to an immune‐privileged CNS. The BBB has been shown to be disrupted in hypertension. This review addresses the importance of the BBB in maintaining homeostasis in the context of diseases related to autonomic dysfunction, such as hypertension. We highlight the potentially important roles of the immune system and neurovascular unit in the maintenance of the BBB, whereby dysregulation may lead to autonomic dysfunction in diseases such as heart failure and hypertension. Circulating leucocytes and factors such as angiotensin II and pro‐inflammatory cytokines are thought ultimately to downregulate endothelial tight junction proteins that are a crucial component of the BBB. The specific mechanisms underlying BBB disruption and their role in contributing to autonomic dysfunction are not yet fully understood but are a growing area of interest. A greater understanding of these systems and advances in our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms causing BBB disruption will allow for the development of future therapeutic interventions in the treatment of autonomic imbalance associated with diseases such as heart failure and hypertension.
Cardiac and haemodynamic influence on carotid artery longitudinal wall motion
Authors: Au Jason S. , Bochnak Paula A. , Valentino Sydney E. , Cheng Jem L. , Stöhr Eric J. , MacDonald Maureen J. 
Published: October 2017

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Carotid artery longitudinal wall motion (CALM) is a bidirectional forward and backward motion of the arterial wall; however, there is no evidence in humans for what controls CALM despite proposals for pulse pressure, left ventricular motion and shear rate.

What is the main finding and its importance?
Carotid artery longitudinal wall motion responses were heterogeneous when manipulating sympathetic activation and endothelium‐independent vasodilatation, leading to non‐significant group responses. However, individual CALM responses were associated with left ventricular rotation and shear rate. These findings are important when interpreting changes in CALM in humans with acute or chronic experimental designs.

Carotid artery longitudinal wall motion (CALM) has recently attracted interest as an indicator of arterial health; however, the regulation of CALM is poorly understood. We conducted a series of studies aimed at manipulating pulse pressure (PP), left ventricular (LV) motion and carotid shear rate, which have been previously suggested to regulate various components of CALM pattern and magnitude. To determine the regulatory influences on CALM, 15 healthy men (22 ± 2 years old) were exposed to three acute interventions: the serial subtraction test (SST); the cold pressor test (CPT); and exposure to sublingual nitroglycerine (NTG). The SST elicited increases in PP (P < 0.01), apical LV rotation (P < 0.01) and carotid shear rate (P < 0.01), with no changes in CALM (P > 0.05). Likewise, the CPT elicited increases in PP (P = 0.01), basal LV rotation (P = 0.04) and carotid shear rate (P = 0.01), with no changes in CALM (P > 0.05). Conversely, exposure to NTG elicited no change in PP (P = 0.22), basal (P = 0.65) or apical LV rotation (P = 0.45), but did decrease carotid shear rate (P < 0.01), without altering CALM (P > 0.05). Considerable individual variability in CALM responses prompted further analyses where all three interventions were pooled for change scores. Changes in LV basal rotation were related to changes in systolic retrograde CALM (B = −0.025, P = 0.03), whereas changes in carotid shear rate were related to changes in diastolic CALM displacement (B = 0.0009, P = 0.01). The interventions were underpinned by relationships between CALM and both LV basal rotation and local shear rate at the individual level, indicating that cardiac and haemodynamic factors may influence CALM in humans.
The highs and lows of programmed cardiovascular disease by developmental hypoxia: studies in the chicken embryo
Authors: Itani N. , Salinas C. E. , Villena M. , Skeffington K. L. , Beck C. , Villamor E. , Blanco C. E. , Giussani D. A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIt is now established that adverse conditions during pregnancy can trigger a fetal origin of cardiovascular dysfunction and/or increase the risk of heart disease in later life. Suboptimal environmental conditions during early life that may promote the development of cardiovascular dysfunction in the offspring include alterations in fetal oxygenation and nutrition as well as fetal exposure to stress hormones, such as glucocorticoids. There has been growing interest in identifying the partial contributions of each of these stressors to programming of cardiovascular dysfunction. However, in humans and in many animal models this is difficult, as the challenges cannot be disentangled. By using the chicken embryo as an animal model, science has been able to circumvent a number of problems. In contrast to mammals, in the chicken embryo the effects on the developing cardiovascular system of changes in oxygenation, nutrition or stress hormones can be isolated and determined directly, independent of changes in the maternal or placental physiology. In this review, we summarise studies that have exploited the chicken embryo model to determine the effects on prenatal growth, cardiovascular development and pituitary–adrenal function of isolated chronic developmental hypoxia.
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Physical Activity Among Adolescents With Long-Term Illnesses or Disabilities in 15 European Countries
Authors: Ng Kwok , Tynjälä Jorma , Sigmundová Dagmar , Augustine Lilly , Sentenac Mariane , Rintala Pauli , Inchley Jo 
Published: October 2017

Physical activity (PA) is an important health-promoting behavior from which adolescents with long-term illnesses or disabilities (LTID) can benefit. It is important to monitor differences across countries in adherence with PA recommendations for health. The aim of this study was to compare PA levels among 15 European countries after disaggregating data by disability. Data from pupils (mean age = 13.6 years, SD = 1.64) participating in the 2013/2014 Health Behavior in School-aged Children study were analyzed to compare adolescents without LTID, with LTID, and with LTID that affects their participation (affected LTID). Logistic regression models adjusted for age and family affluence, stratified by gender and country group with PA recommendations for health as the outcome variable. With the data pooled, 15% (n = 9,372) of adolescents reported having LTID and 4% (n = 2,566) having affected LTID. Overall, fewer boys with LTID met PA recommendations for health than boys without LTID, although it was not statistically significant either at the national levels or for girls.
Phylogenetic Backgrounds and Virulence-Associated Traits of Escherichia coli Isolates from Surface Waters and Diverse Animals in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Authors: Johnson James R. , Johnston Brian D. , Delavari Parissa , Thuras Paul , Clabots Connie , Sadowsky Michael J. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

Possible external reservoirs for extraintestinal pathogenic
Escherichia coli
(ExPEC) strains that cause infections in humans are poorly defined. Because of the tremendous human health importance of ExPEC infections, we assessed surface waters and domesticated and wild animals in Minnesota and Wisconsin as potential reservoirs of ExPEC of human health relevance. We characterized 595
E. coli
isolates (obtained from 1999 to 2002; 280 from seven surface water sites, 315 from feces of 13 wild and domesticated animal species) for phylogroup and virulence genotype, including inferred ExPEC status, by using multiplex PCR-based methods. We also compared the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles of the isolates with a large private PFGE profile library. We found a predominance of non-ExPEC strains (95% and 93% among water and animal isolates, respectively), which were mainly from phylogroups A and B1, plus a minority of ExPEC strains (5% and 7% among water isolates and animal isolates, respectively), predominantly from phylogroup B2. The ExPEC strains, although significantly associated with cats, dogs, and turkeys, occurred in several additional animal species (goat, horse, chicken, pig) and were distributed broadly across all surface water sites. Virulence gene content among the animal source ExPEC isolates segregated significantly in relation to host species, following established patterns. PFGE analysis indicated that 11 study isolates closely matched (94% to 100% profile similarity) reference human clinical and fecal isolates. These findings imply what probably is a low but non-zero risk to humans from environmental and animal source
E. coli
isolates, especially those from specific human-associated animal species.

IMPORTANCE
Our detection of potentially pathogenic strains that may pose a health threat to humans among
E. coli
isolates from surface waters and wild and domesticated animals suggests a need for heightened attention to these reservoirs as possible sources for human acquisition of disease-causing
E. coli
. Although cats, dogs, and turkeys were especially high-prevalence sources, the presence of such strains in other animal species and at all sampled water sites suggests that this potential risk may be widespread.
Stenotrophomonas-Like Bacteria Are Widespread Symbionts in Cone Snail Venom Ducts
Authors: Torres Joshua P. , Tianero Maria Diarey , Robes Jose Miguel D. , Kwan Jason C. , Biggs Jason S. , Concepcion Gisela P. , Olivera Baldomero M. , Haygood Margo G. , Schmidt Eric W. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

Cone snails are biomedically important sources of peptide drugs, but it is not known whether snail-associated bacteria affect venom chemistry. To begin to answer this question, we performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of eight cone snail species, comparing their microbiomes with each other and with those from a variety of other marine invertebrates. We show that the cone snail microbiome is distinct from those in other marine invertebrates and conserved in specimens from around the world, including the Philippines, Guam, California, and Florida. We found that all venom ducts examined contain diverse 16S rRNA gene sequences bearing closest similarity to
Stenotrophomonas
bacteria. These sequences represent specific symbionts that live in the lumen of the venom duct, where bioactive venom peptides are synthesized.

IMPORTANCE
In animals, symbiotic bacteria contribute critically to metabolism. Cone snails are renowned for the production of venoms that are used as medicines and as probes for biological study. In principle, symbiotic bacterial metabolism could either degrade or synthesize active venom components, and previous publications show that bacteria do indeed contribute small molecules to some venoms. Therefore, understanding symbiosis in cone snails will contribute to further drug discovery efforts. Here, we describe an unexpected, specific symbiosis between bacteria and cone snails from around the world.
Use of Endophytic and Rhizosphere Actinobacteria from Grapevine Plants To Reduce Nursery Fungal Graft Infections That Lead to Young Grapevine Decline
Authors: Álvarez-Pérez José Manuel , González-García Sandra , Cobos Rebeca , Olego Miguel Ángel , Ibañez Ana , Díez-Galán Alba , Garzón-Jimeno Enrique , Coque Juan José R. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTEndophytic and rhizosphere actinobacteria isolated from the root system of 1-year-old graftedVitis viniferaplants were evaluated for their activities against fungi that cause grapevine trunk diseases. A total of 58 endophytic and 94 rhizosphere isolates were tested. Based on anin vitrobioassay, 15.5% of the endophytic isolates and 30.8% of the rhizosphere isolates exhibited antifungal activity against the fungal pathogenDiplodia seriata, whereas 13.8% of the endophytic isolates and 16.0% of the rhizosphere isolates showed antifungal activity againstDactylonectria macrodidyma(formerlyIlyonectria macrodidyma). The strains which showed the greatestin vitroefficacy against both pathogens were further analyzed for their ability to inhibit the growth ofPhaeomoniella chlamydosporaandPhaeoacremonium minimum(formerlyPhaeoacremonium aleophilum). Based on their antifungal activity, three rhizosphere isolates and three endophytic isolates were applied on grafts in an open-root field nursery in a 3-year trial. The field trial led to the identification of one endophytic strain,Streptomycessp. VV/E1, and two rhizosphere isolates,Streptomycessp. VV/R1 andStreptomycessp. VV/R4, which significantly reduced the infection rates produced by the fungal pathogensDactylonectriasp.,Ilyonectriasp.,P. chlamydospora, andP. minimum, all of which cause young grapevine decline. The VV/R1 and VV/R4 isolates also significantly reduced the mortality level of grafted plants in the nursery. This study shows that certain actinobacteria could represent a promising new tool for controlling fungal trunk pathogens that infect grapevine plants through the root system in nurseries.IMPORTANCEGrapevine trunk diseases are a major threat to the wine and grape industry worldwide. They cause a significant reduction in yields as well as in grape quality, and they can even cause plant death. Trunk diseases are caused by fungal pathogens that enter through pruning wounds and/or the root system. Although different strategies have recently been developed to protect pruning wounds using antifungal compounds (natural or synthetic) or biocontrol agents, no tools are yet available for controlling soil pathogens that infect plants through their root system. This study shows that different actinobacterial isolates, when applied to grafts in a nursery, can significantly reduce the infection rate caused by fungal pathogens that enter through the root system. This is a new, promising, and green alternative for preventing the decline of young grapevines in nurseries and vineyards.