bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Species‐specific immunity to Helicobacter suis
Authors: Bosschem Iris , Flahou Bram , Van Deun Kim , De Koker Stefaan , Volf Jiri , Smet Annemieke , Ducatelle Richard , Devriendt Bert , Haesebrouck Freddy 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter (H.) suis is mainly associated with pigs, but is also the most prevalent gastric non‐H. pylori Helicobacter species found in humans. Both H. pylori and H. suis may cause persistent infection of the stomach. Several immune evasion mechanisms have been proposed for H. pylori, which focus to a great extent on its major virulence factors, which are absent in H. suis. The aim of this study was to gain more knowledge on immune evasion by H. suis.Materials and MethodsCytokine expression kinetics were monitored in the stomach of BALB/c mice experimentally infected with H. suis. The cytokine expression profile in the stomach of naturally H. suis‐infected pigs was also determined. Subsequently, the effect of H. suis on murine and porcine dendritic cell (DC) maturation and their ability to elicit T‐cell effector responses was analyzed.ResultsDespite a Th17/Th2 response in the murine stomach, the inflammatory cell influx was unable to clear H. suis infection. H. suis‐stimulated murine bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells induced IL‐17 secretion by CD4+ cells in vitro. Natural H. suis infection in pigs evoked increased expression levels of IL‐17 mRNA in the antrum and IL‐10 mRNA in the fundus. In contrast to mice, H. suis‐stimulated porcine monocyte‐derived dendritic cells were unable to express MHCII molecules on their cell surface. These semimature DCs induced proliferation of T‐cells, which showed an increased expression of TGF‐β and FoxP3 mRNA levels.ConclusionsHelicobacter suis might evade host immune responses by skewing toward a Treg‐biased response.
Primary nocturnal enuresis is associated with lower intelligence quotient scores in boys from poorer socioeconomic status families
Authors: Basiri Abbas , Bahrainian Seyed Abdolmajid , Khoshdel Alireza , Jalaly Niloofar , Golshan Shabnam , Pakmanesh Hamid 
Published: January 2017

ObjectivesTo explore intelligence quotient in boys with primary nocturnal enuresis compared with normal boys considering their socioeconomic status.MethodsA total of 152 school‐aged boys (including 55 boys with primary nocturnal enuresis and 97 matched normal controls) were assessed. Boys with a history of any neurological or urological disease were excluded. Two different districts of Tehran: Khani‐Abad (a poor district) and Pirouzi (a middle class district) districts were enrolled according to socioeconomic status data reported by the World Health Organization. Intelligence tests were carried out using a validated Iranian translation of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised. Total, as well as performance intelligence quotient and verbal intelligence quotient scores and verbal–performance discrepancy (the difference between verbal and performance intelligence quotient scores for each individual) were compared using a t‐test between boys with primary nocturnal enuresis in each district and their matched controls.ResultsConsidering each district separately, the total intelligence quotient score was lower in primary nocturnal enuresis cases than controls only in the lower income district (90.7 ± 23.3 vs 104.8 ± 14.7, P = 0.002). Similarly, boys with primary nocturnal enuresis ranked lower in verbal intelligence quotient (P = 0.002) and performance intelligence quotient (P = 0.004) compared with their matched normal controls only in lower income district, whereas in the higher income district, boys with primary nocturnal enuresis ranked similar in total intelligence quotient to their matched controls.ConclusionsBoys with primary nocturnal enuresis had a lower intelligence quotient compared with the control participants only in low‐income district. It seems important to adjust the results of the intelligence quotient assessment in these children according to their socioeconomic status.
Radical prostatectomy restores detrusor contraction pattern according to pressure flow parameters
Authors: Kitta Takeya , Kanno Yukiko , Chiba Hiroki , Moriya Kimihiko , Maruyama Satoru , Abe Takashige , Shinohara Nobuo 
Published: January 2017

ObjectivesPressure flow studies are regarded as the gold standard for evaluating both bladder outlet obstruction and detrusor contractility, but none of the current methods for evaluating bladder contraction patterns are well validated. Impaired bladder contraction results in a lower peak Watts factor and poorly sustained detrusor contractions. From this viewpoint, the maximum Watts factor and its pattern should be considered separately. To examine detrusor contraction pattern in patients after radical prostatectomy by using multiple parameters.MethodsA total of 37 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent both pre‐ and post‐radical prostatectomy urodynamic evaluations. The examined urodynamic parameters included the maximum flow rate, post‐void residual volume, detrusor pressure at maximum flow, maximum Watts factor and relative volume (maximum Watts factor). Some parameters were defined from the Watts factor curve throughout micturition. Relative volume (maximum Watts factor) was the relative bladder volume at the maximum Watts factor. A normal detrusor contractility pattern involves an increase in Watts factor at the initiation followed by further gradual increases until the end of micturition.ResultsMaximum flow rate increased significantly after radical prostatectomy (pre: 13.0 ± 6.5, post: 17.3 ± 7.7 mL/min; P < 0.01), whereas detrusor pressure at maximum flow and post‐void residual volume decreased significantly (pre: 49.6 ± 21.6 and 31.4 ± 18.2 cmH2O; post: 48.6 ± 66.1 and 10.1 ± 28.5 mL; P < 0.05). Maximum Watts factor did not change significantly after radical prostatectomy (pre: 10.5 ± 3.1 W/m2, post: 11.0 ± 3.2 W/m2), but relative volume (maximum Watts factor) decreased significantly (pre: 0.48 ± 0.3, post: 0.20 ± 0.20; P < 0.001). Maximum Watts factor represents the maximum power of bladder contraction at a particular point in time, whereas relative volume (maximum Watts factor) can be used to detect changes in detrusor contraction pattern.ConclusionsEvaluation of relative volume (maximum Watts factor) confirms that radical prostatectomy restores the normal detrusor contractility pattern in prostate cancer patients.
Modelling the Ecological Comorbidity of Acute Respiratory Infection, Diarrhoea and Stunting among Children Under the Age of 5 Years in Somalia
Authors: Kinyoki Damaris K. , Manda Samuel O. , Moloney Grainne M. , Odundo Elijah O. , Berkley James A. , Noor Abdisalan M. , Kandala Ngianga‐Bakwin 
Published: January 2017

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess spatial co‐occurrence of acute respiratory infections (ARI), diarrhoea and stunting among children of the age between 6 and 59 months in Somalia. Data were obtained from routine biannual nutrition surveys conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization 2007–2010. A Bayesian hierarchical geostatistical shared component model was fitted to the residual spatial components of the three health conditions. Risk maps of the common spatial effects at 1×1 km resolution were derived. The empirical correlations of the enumeration area proportion were 0.37, 0.63 and 0.66 for ARI and stunting, diarrhoea and stunting and ARI and diarrhoea, respectively. Spatially, the posterior residual effects ranged 0.03–20.98, 0.16–6.37 and 0.08–9.66 for shared component between ARI and stunting, diarrhoea and stunting and ARI and diarrhoea, respectively. The analysis showed clearly that the spatial shared component between ARI, diarrhoea and stunting was higher in the southern part of the country. Interventions aimed at controlling and mitigating the adverse effects of these three childhood health conditions should focus on their common putative risk factors, particularly in the South in Somalia.
Safety improvement and quality retention of gamma irradiated spinach leaves
Authors: Finten Gabriel , Garrido Juan I. , Cova María C. , Narvaiz Patricia , Jagus Rosa J. , Agüero María V. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this work was to evaluate γ‐irradiation effects on native microbiota, some phytochemicals and sensory attributes of fresh spinach (Spinacia oleraceaL.) throughout 15 days of storage (6 °C ± 1 °C). The proposed treatment (1.5 kGy) effectively reduced native microbiota extending shelf life under refrigeration to 14 days, and the evaluated phytochemicals (polyphenols, compounds with antioxidant capacity, chlorophyll, carotenoids) were preserved with the exception of ascorbic acid, which was reduced by more than 80% after treatment. Sensory acceptability, evaluated by a consumer panel, of samples irradiated either at 1.5 or 3.0 kGy was good till the last analysis date (day 14). The target dose had a great performance, presenting scores in some attributes significantly higher than those of control samples (overall liking and appearance on day 2). Overall, the performance of gamma rays was acceptable and significantly increased product acceptability; therefore, it represents a feasible alternative for spinach disinfection.Practical applicationsGamma irradiation has attracted attention as a potential nonthermal decontamination strategy to ensure the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Several studies have demonstrated the high efficiency of this technology applied on different vegetables to control typical pathogens, but vegetables tolerance to radiation can vary, so process validation is required in each case. Hopefully the results presented herein could encourage large‐scale adoption of this technology by the fresh produce industry.
Sensitivity of pathogenic and attenuated E. coli O157:H7 strains to ultraviolet‐C light as assessed by conventional plating methods and ethidium monoazide‐PCR
Authors: Yan Ruixiang , Liu Yanhong , Gurtler Joshua B. , Killinger Karen , Fan Xuetong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe UV‐C sensitivity of six pathogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains associated with recent outbreaks of foodborne illnesses and five attenuated/nonpathogenic E. coli O157:H7 strains was investigated using conventional plating method, and real time PCR with and without ethidium monoazide (EMA) pretreatment. Results showed that the nonpathogenic/attenuated E. coli ATCC 25922, 6980‐2, and 6982‐2 had more or similar resistance to UV‐C compared to the pathogenic strains. The UV‐C inhibition on the PCR amplification of DNA correlated well with UV‐C dose, as indicated by the cycle threshold (Ct), regardless of EMA pretreatment. The Ct values increased linearly with increasing UV‐C doses. Cell membrane was damaged only at high doses when UV‐C inactivated more than 6 log CFU of bacteria. Overall, our results suggest that E. coli strains have different sensitivities to UV‐C and that EMA‐PCR is a useful tool to assess cell damage caused by UV‐C.Practical applicationsUltraviolet (UV) light, as one of the postharvest interventions, is simple to implement and inexpensive for commercial applications. To conduct trials on a large scale or at a commercial setting, nonpathogenic/attenuated surrogates of pathogenic bacteria should be used, due to the difficulty for containment and post‐treatment decontamination of equipment and the environment. We demonstrated the variations in UV‐C sensitivity among pathogenic and nonpathogenic E. coli strains. Three attenuated/nonpathogenic strains of E. coli had similar sensitivities as the pathogenic strains, and therefore, could serve as surrogates. Furthermore, cell membrane was not affected by moderate doses of UV‐C treatments, even though the bacteria were not cultivable. The information will be useful for researchers to conduct scale‐up trials, and to optimize UV‐C technology for microbial safety enhancement.
A novel processed food classification system applied to Australian food composition databases
Authors: O'Halloran S. A. , Lacy K. E. , Grimes C. A. , Woods J. , Campbell K. J. , Nowson C. A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe extent of food processing can affect the nutritional quality of foodstuffs. Categorising foods by the level of processing emphasises the differences in nutritional quality between foods within the same food group and is likely useful for determining dietary processed food consumption. The present study aimed to categorise foods within Australian food composition databases according to the level of food processing using a processed food classification system, as well as assess the variation in the levels of processing within food groups.MethodsA processed foods classification system was applied to food and beverage items contained within Australian Food and Nutrient (AUSNUT) 2007 (n = 3874) and AUSNUT 2011–13 (n = 5740). The proportion of Minimally Processed (MP), Processed Culinary Ingredients (PCI) Processed (P) and Ultra Processed (ULP) by AUSNUT food group and the overall proportion of the four processed food categories across AUSNUT 2007 and AUSNUT 2011–13 were calculated.ResultsAcross the food composition databases, the overall proportions of foods classified as MP, PCI, P and ULP were 27%, 3%, 26% and 44% for AUSNUT 2007 and 38%, 2%, 24% and 36% for AUSNUT 2011–13. Although there was wide variation in the classifications of food processing within the food groups, approximately one‐third of foodstuffs were classified as ULP food items across both the 2007 and 2011–13 AUSNUT databases.ConclusionsThis Australian processed food classification system will allow researchers to easily quantify the contribution of processed foods within the Australian food supply to assist in assessing the nutritional quality of the dietary intake of population groups.
Development and psychometric properties of the Psychological Therapies Outcome Scale – Intellectual Disabilities (PTOS‐ID)
Authors: Vlissides N. , Beail N. , Jackson T. , Williams K. , Golding L. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundThere are few valid and reliable psychological therapy outcome measures available for use with people with intellectual disabilities (ID). The current study involved the development of a new scale; the Psychological Therapies Outcome Scale – Intellectual Disabilities (PTOS‐ID), and the examination of its validity and internal consistency.MethodThe PTOS‐ID was administered to 175 people who have ID accessing specialist ID services. The construct validity of the scale was investigated through exploratory factor analysis, concurrent validity through comparison with the Brief Symptom Inventory and internal reliability through internal consistency analysis.ResultsThree factors emerged from the principal components analysis with high levels of internal consistency: (1) anger and mood (α = 0.82); (2) positive well‐being (α = 0.81); and (3) anxiety (α = 0.76). Factors (1) and (2) were combined to measure psychological distress (α = 0.85), which correlated strongly with the Global Severity Index of the Brief Symptom Inventory (r = 0.85).ConclusionsThis preliminary study suggests that the PTOS‐ID is a psychometrically robust measure of psychological distress and psychological well‐being that can be used with people with ID. Further research is required to assess its reliability and ability to detect change.
Chinese herbal drugs for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Behl Tapan , Kotwani Anita 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Objectives
To explore the various pharmacological actions and the molecular mechanisms behind them by which Chinese herbs tend to lower the risk of developing microvascular diabetic complications in retina and prevent its further progression.

Key findings
Several Chinese herbs, indeed, elicit potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, anti-apoptotic, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma receptor agonistic, platelet-activating factor antagonistic, aldose reductase inhibitory and various other beneficial pharmacological activities, required to counteract the pathological conditions prevalent in retina during diabetes.

Summary
Chinese herbs can potentially be used for the treatment/prevention of diabetic retinopathy owing to the virtue of numerous properties by which they alleviate several hyperglycaemia-induced pathological occurrences in retina. This would provide a natural and safe therapy for diabetic retinopathy, which currently is clinically limited to destructive techniques like laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy.
Mutations in TTC21B cause different phenotypes in two childhood cases in China
Authors: Zhang Hongwen , Su Baige , Liu Xiaoyu , Xiao Huijie , Ding Jie , Yao Yong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAimThe TTC21B gene is now known as causative of nephronophthisis‐related ciliopathies (NPHP‐RC). We reported two Chinese paediatric cases with end‐stage renal disease and other phenotypes caused by the TTC21B gene mutations.MethodsThe clinical features of Chinese paediatric cases with NPHP‐RC were summarized. Mutation analysis of the TTC21B gene was performed using next‐generation sequencing.ResultsThe two cases both had nephrotic proteinuria, renal failure, hypertension and abnormal liver function (or hepatic fibrosis). One case also presented situs inversus and short phalanges. They developed end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) at 1 year old and 8 years old, respectively, when renal pathology both showed focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) with tubulointerstitial lesions including interstitial fibrosis and atrophic tubules. Three novel disease‐causing TTC21B mutations were identified. One case carried homozygous mutation c.2211 + 3A > G, while the other case carried compound heterozygous mutations c.1552 T > C (p.C518R) and c.1456dupA (p.R486KfsX22).ConclusionMutations in TTC21B cause a range of ciliopathy phenotypes in humans. We identified 3 novel TTC21B mutations in two Chinese paediatric cases that both presented end‐stage renal disease and other different features. This is the first TTC21B mutations ever reported in China.
Oral administration of Clostridium butyricum CGMCC0313‐1 reduces ovalbumin‐induced allergic airway inflammation in mice
Authors: Juan Zhang , Zhao‐Ling Shi , Ming‐Hua Zeng , Chun Wei , Hai‐Xia Wu , Meng‐Yun Liu , Jian‐Qiong Huang , Yue‐Jie Zheng , Xin Sun 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT
Background and objectiveProbiotic bacteria can induce immune regulation or immune tolerance in patients with allergic diseases, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. There has been a growing interest in the use of beneficial bacteria for allergic diseases recently. This study aimed at exploring whether Clostridium butyricum CGMCC0313‐1 (C. butyricum) can reduce ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model.MethodsMouse model of allergic airway inflammation induced via OVA was used in this study. C. butyricum was administered daily by the oral route during or after the sensitization. Airway function, pulmonary airway inflammation, mast cell degranulation, T helper (Th)‐specific and anti‐inflammatory cytokines, OVA‐specific Ig, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) and histopathological alterations were examined.Results
C. butyricum significantly reduced lung resistance in the asthmatic mice. Pulmonary airway inflammation, mast cell degranulation, airway remodelling and the expression of OVA‐specific IgE/G1 were suppressed by oral C. butyricum. It also reversed the imbalance of Th1/Th2 and increased the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10.Conclusion
C. butyricum reduces OVA‐induced allergic airway inflammation in mice and might be an additional or supplementary therapy for allergic asthma.
The Combined and Uneven Development of Afghan Nationalism
Authors: Gopal Anand 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe U.S. campaign in Afghanistan has been based, in part, on a pair of contradictory notions: First, that the Taliban are a supra‐ethnic, transnational group severed from the social and cultural heritage of Afghanistan; and second, that the Taliban represent a form of Pashtun nationalism. This article uses archival data and field research to show that both views are incorrect. The Taliban are historically rooted in Pashtun communities and yet are not a force of Pashtun nationalism. Rather, they comprise a network of exclusion, bound together in rhetoric by a particular conception of political Islam and Afghan sovereignty. This is an ‘Islamist nationalism’ in word, but crucially, not in deed: While the Taliban aspire to act as a nationalist force representing all Afghans, under conditions of institutional poverty and the lack of modernization, the Taliban are bound in practice by networks of trust and personal contact. This is an example of the ‘combined and uneven development’ of Afghan nationalism.
Understanding Nepali Nationalism
Authors: Bhandari Kalyan 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis article explores the foundations of Nepali nationalism and its articulation in contemporary Nepal. It makes informed readings of the historical antecedents of Nepali national identity and argues that Nepali national identity was forged in an attempt to create and maintain a boundary with ‘outsiders’ – mainly India and China. Data collected through online content analysis of the editorial commentary pages of two Nepali print media, followed by in‐depth interviews, show that in the changed political context, the boundary still persists though its narrative has changed. This article argues that the expression of Nepali nationalism can be understood as the maintenance of this boundary; its forms and articulation shaped by the changing political contexts.
Early Modern State Formation in Afghanistan in Relation to Pashtun Tribalism
Authors: Sungur Zeynep Tuba 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe overall objective of this article is to analyse the encounter between Pashtun tribalism and state centralization as part of a modernization programme in Afghanistan in the almost fifty‐year period between 1880 and 1929. Focusing on Pashtuns, the article attempts to show how a segment of Pashtuns acted as the founders and rulers of the modern Afghan state while another segment sustained their tribal features and rejected the authority of the central state. Presenting the tribe–state conflict through the case of Pashtuns in a historical framework, the article looks at the reign of three Afghan amirs: Abdurrahman, Habibullah, and Amanullah. Analysing how this conflict proceeded in this period, the article concludes that Pashtun tribalism survived within the early modernization process in Afghanistan.