bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is there a march from early food sensitization to later childhood allergic airway disease? Results from two prospective birth cohort studies
Authors: Alduraywish Shatha A. , Standl Marie , Lodge Caroline J. , Abramson Michael J. , Allen Katrina J. , Erbas Bircan , von Berg Andrea , Heinrich Joachim , Lowe Adrian J. , Dharmage Shyamali C. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe march from early aeroallergen sensitization to subsequent respiratory allergy is well established, but it is unclear whether early life food sensitization precedes and further increases risk of allergic airway disease.ObjectiveTo assess the association between food sensitization in the first 2 years of life and subsequent asthma and allergic rhinitis by age 10–12 years.MethodsWe used data from two independent cohorts: the high‐risk Melbourne Atopic Cohort Study (MACS) (n = 620) and the population‐based LISAplus (n = 3094). Food sensitization was assessed at 6, 12, and 24 months in MACS and 24 months in LISAplus. Multiple logistic regressions were used to estimate associations between sensitization to food only, aeroallergen only, or both and allergic airway disease.ResultsWhen compared to non‐sensitized children, sensitization to food only at 12 months in MACS and 24 months in LISAplus was associated with increased risk of current asthma (aOR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.1, 4.6 in MACS and aOR = 4.9; 2.4, 10.1 in LISAplus). Similar results were seen for allergic rhinitis. Additionally, cosensitization to food and aeroallergen in both cohorts at any tested point was a stronger predictor of asthma (at 24 months, aOR = 8.3; 3.7, 18.8 in MACS and aOR = 14.4; 5.0, 41.6 in LISAplus) and allergic rhinitis (at 24 months, aOR = 3.9; 1.9, 8.1 in MACS and aOR = 7.6; 3.0, 19.6 in LISAplus).ConclusionsIn both cohorts, food sensitization (with or without aeroallergen sensitization) in the first two years of life increased the risk of subsequent asthma and allergic rhinitis. These findings support the role of early life food sensitization in the atopic march and suggest trials to prevent early onset have the potential to reduce the development of allergic airways disease.
Comparative Performance between Two Photogrammetric Systems and a Reference Laser Tracker Network for Large‐Volume Industrial Measurement
Authors: Martin Oliver C. , Robson Stuart , Kayani Amir , Muelaner Jody E. , Dhokia Vimal , Maropoulos Paul. G. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis paper determines the capability of two photogrammetric systems in terms of their measurement uncertainty in an industrial context. The first system – V‐STARS inca3 from Geodetic Systems Inc. – is a commercially available measurement solution. The second system comprises an off‐the‐shelf Nikon D700 digital camera fitted with a 28 mm Nikkor lens and the research‐based Vision Measurement Software (VMS). The uncertainty estimate of these two systems is determined with reference to a calibrated constellation of points determined by a Leica AT401 laser tracker. The calibrated points have an average associated standard uncertainty of 12·4 μm, spanning a maximum distance of approximately 14·5 m. Subsequently, the two systems’ uncertainty was determined. V‐STARS inca3 had an estimated standard uncertainty of 43·1 μm, thus outperforming its manufacturer's specification; the D700/VMS combination achieved a standard uncertainty of 187 μm.
A recombinant chimeric protein composed of human and mice‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell epitopes protects against visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Martins V. T. , Duarte M. C. , Lage D. P. , Costa L. E. , Carvalho A. M. R. S. , Mendes T. A. O. , Roatt B. M. , Menezes‐Souza D. , Soto M. , Coelho E. A. F. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryIn this study, a recombinant chimeric protein (RCP), which was composed of specific CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell epitopes to murine and human haplotypes, was evaluated as an immunogen against Leishmania infantum infection in a murine model. BALB/c mice received saline were immunized with saponin or with RCP with or without an adjuvant. The results showed that RCP/saponin‐vaccinated mice presented significantly higher levels of antileishmanial IFN‐γ, IL‐12 and GM‐CSF before and after challenge, which were associated with the reduction of IL‐4 and IL‐10 mediated responses. These animals showed significant reductions in the parasite burden in all evaluated organs, when both limiting dilution and quantitative real‐time PCR techniques were used. In addition, the protected animals presented higher levels of parasite‐specific nitrite, as well as the presence of anti‐Leishmania IgG2a isotype antibodies. In conclusion, the RCP/saponin vaccine could be considered as a prophylactic alternative to prevent against VL.
Overview of dendritic cell‐based vaccine development for leishmaniasis
Authors: Bagirova M. , Allahverdiyev A. M. , Abamor E. S. , Ullah I. , Cosar G. , Aydogdu M. , Senturk H. , Ergenoglu B. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryLeishmaniasis is one of the most serious vector‐borne diseases in the world and is distributed over 98 countries. It is estimated that 350 million people are at risk for leishmaniasis. There are three different generation of vaccines that have been developed to provide immunity and protection against leishmaniasis. However, their use has been limited due to undesired side effects. These vaccines have also failed to provide effective and reliable protection and, as such, currently, there is no safe and effective vaccine for leishmaniasis. Dendritic cells (DCs) are a unique population of cells that come from bone marrow and become specialized to take up, process and present antigens to helper T cells in a mechanism similar to macrophages. By considering these significant features, DCs stimulated with different kinds of Leishmania antigens have been used in recent vaccine studies for leishmaniasis with promising results so far. In this review, we aim to review and combine the latest studies about this issue after defining potential problems in vaccine development for leishmaniasis and considering the importance of DCs in the immunopathogenesis of the disease.
Supplier Behavior in Capacity Investment Competition: An Experimental Study
Authors: Hu Shanshan , Wan Zhixi , Ye Qing , Chi Wei 
Published: September 2016

Many manufacturers ensure supply capacity by using more than one supplier and sharing their capacity investment costs via supplier development programs. Their suppliers face competitive pressure from peers despite the reduced capacity investment cost. Although standard game theory makes clear prediction that cost sharing increases the suppliers' capacity choice and supply chain profit, the complex decision environment of capacity competition makes it interesting to test whether the theory predictions are robust and, if not, whether systematic deviations occur. We present a laboratory experiment study. The experiment data show that supplier subjects invested in higher capacities than what our theoretical analysis predicted, resulting in profit loss for the supply chain. Our econometric analysis indicates that the subjects are bounded rational and their concern for relative standing may be the potential driver of capacity over‐investment. Based on the experimental findings, we study a modified cost‐sharing mechanism that adapts to the behavioral biases. Its performance is validated in a second experiment.
Ecological restoration by soil transfer: impacts on restored soil profiles and topsoil functions
Authors: Bulot Adeline , Potard Kevin , Bureau Fabrice , Bérard Annette , Dutoit Thierry 
Published: September 2016

AbstractA last resort means to restoring a severely degraded ecosystem can involve soil transfer, especially when destruction of an undegraded system has been previously independently planned. We measured the impact of different soil transfer treatments that varied in vertical and orderly reconstitution of the main soil horizons on the microbial activity and organic matter composition during restoration of a Haplic Cambisol in a steppe ecosystem. There were differences between the topsoil of the reference ecosystem and the soil transfer treatments in terms of physicochemical parameters and microbial activity, but this was not the case when topsoil was not replaced at the soil surface. Three years following restoration, the transferred topsoil treatment, where the three main soil layers were transferred, contained lower particulate organic matter content than the steppe reference soil, despite similarity in potential carbon mineralization. Soil profile descriptions revealed strong differences in overall organization between the transferred soil and the undisturbed steppe soil, particularly with respect to lower biological activity and a lack of connectivity between pedological horizons via the plant root systems and the earthworm activity in the transferred soil. This suggests that soil transfer conducted to retain soil horizons provides good results when the topsoil is transferred, but it may result in altered biological activity, profile morphology, and organic matter content compared with the reference system.
Context, Orders of Worth, and the Justification of Meat Consumption Practices
Authors: Thorslund Cecilie A. H. , Lassen Jesper 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAlthough animal welfare is felt to be important by consumers, behavioural patterns do not fully reflect this. Rather than relating this attitude‐behaviour gap to hypocrisy, this article, building on pragmatic sociological theory and an empirical study, focuses on context‐dependent moral evaluations. An analysis of focus‐group interviews conducted in three countries shows that meat‐related consumption practices involve several competing sets of moral conventions, and the results demonstrate that public concerns about animal welfare vary depending on whether they relate to an everyday or production context. In the former, animal welfare does not play a big role, and given this it can be argued that people are not hypocritical, since the practices and perceptions are actually united within the given context. It is concluded that the lack of civic justifications in the context of everyday life calls for new ways of making animal welfare relevant in this context in order to support consumers in moving towards products with high standards of animal welfare.
The storm of the century! Promoting student enthusiasm for applied statistics
Authors: Fawcett Lee , Newman Keith 
Published: September 2016

SummaryThis article describes a hands‐on activity that has been used with students aged 12–18 years to promote the study of Statistics. We believe there is evidence to suggest an increase in student enthusiasm for Statistics at school, within the Mathematics curriculum, but also within other subjects such as Geography. We also believe that the use of such activities has resulted in some students giving more serious thought to studying Statistics at University. The activity described here is supported with a web‐based application to allow younger or less experienced students to engage with the material.
Genomic and Transcriptional Mapping of PaMx41, Archetype of a New Lineage of Bacteriophages Infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Cruz-Plancarte Indira , Cazares Adrián , Guarneros Gabriel 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT

Previously, a collection of virulent phages infecting
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
was isolated from open water reservoirs and residual waters. Here, we described the comparative genomics of a set of five related phages from the collection, the physical structure of the genome, the structural proteomics of the virion, and the transcriptional program of archetypal phage PaMx41. The phage genomes were closely associated with each other and with those of two other
P. aeruginosa
phages, 119X and PaP2, which were previously filed in the databases. Overall, the genomes were approximately 43 kb, harboring 53 conserved open reading frames (ORFs) and three short ORFs in indel regions and containing 45% GC content. The genome of PaMx41 was further characterized as a linear, terminally redundant DNA molecule. A total of 16 ORFs were associated with putative functions, including nucleic acid metabolism, morphogenesis, and lysis, and eight virion proteins were identified through mass spectrometry. However, the coding sequences without assigned functions represent 70% of the ORFs. The PaMx41 transcription program was organized in early, middle, and late expressed genomic modules, which correlated with regions containing functionally related genes. The high genomic conservation among these distantly isolated phages suggests that these viruses undergo selective pressure to remain unchanged. The 119X lineage represents a unique set of phages that corresponds to a novel phage group. The features recognized in the genomes and the broad host range of clinical strains suggest that these phages are candidates for therapy applications.

IMPORTANCE
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is an opportunistic pathogen that causes stubborn nosocomial infections that are frequently resistant to multiple antibiotics. Bacterial viruses (bacteriophages or phages) represent a natural mechanism for pathogenic bacterial control. Here, a group of virulent phages, previously shown to infect a broad range of clinical
P. aeruginosa
strains, was characterized at the genomic and molecular levels. These phages belong to a unique and tightly related group. In addition, we conducted a transcriptional study of an archetypal phage of this group to characterize the role of many unknown coding sequences based on expression temporalities. These results contribute to our knowledge of 119X-like phages and, in general, provide information concerning
P. aeruginosa
podophage diversity and lytic cycles.
Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors on the Gastric Mucosa-Associated Microbiota in Dyspeptic Patients
Authors: Paroni Sterbini Francesco , Palladini Alessandra , Masucci Luca , Cannistraci Carlo Vittorio , Pastorino Roberta , Ianiro Gianluca , Bugli Francesca , Martini Cecilia , Ricciardi Walter , Gasbarrini Antonio , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Cammarota Giovanni , Posteraro Brunella 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT

Besides being part of anti-
Helicobacter pylori
treatment regimens, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are increasingly being used to treat dyspepsia. However, little is known about the effects of PPIs on the human gastric microbiota, especially those related to
H. pylori
infection. The goal of this study was to characterize the stomach microbial communities in patients with dyspepsia and to investigate their relationships with PPI use and
H. pylori
status. Using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, we analyzed the mucosa-associated microbial populations of 24 patients, of whom 12 were treated with the PPI omeprazole and 9 (5 treated and 4 untreated) were positive for
H. pylori
infection. The
Proteobacteria
,
Firmicutes
,
Bacteroidetes
,
Fusobacteria
, and
Actinobacteria
phyla accounted for 98% of all of the sequences, with
Helicobacter
,
Streptococcus
, and
Prevotella
ranking among the 10 most abundant genera.
H. pylori
infection or PPI treatment did not significantly influence gastric microbial species composition in dyspeptic patients. Principal-coordinate analysis of weighted UniFrac distances in these communities revealed clear but significant separation according to
H. pylori
status only. However, in PPI-treated patients,
Firmicutes
, particularly
Streptococcaceae
, were significantly increased in relative abundance compared to those in untreated patients. Consistently,
Streptococcus
was also found to significantly increase in relation to PPI treatment, and this increase seemed to occur independently of
H. pylori
infection. Our results suggest that
Streptococcus
may be a key indicator of PPI-induced gastric microbial composition changes in dyspeptic patients. Whether the gastric microbiota alteration contributes to dyspepsia needs further investigation.

IMPORTANCE
Although PPIs have become a popular treatment choice, a growing number of dyspeptic patients may be treated unnecessarily. We found that patients treated with omeprazole showed gastric microbial communities that were different from those of untreated patients. These differences regarded the abundances of specific taxa. By understanding the relationships between PPIs and members of the gastric microbiota, it will be possible to envisage new strategies for better managing patients with dyspepsia.
The Core Gut Microbiome of the American Cockroach, Periplaneta americana, Is Stable and Resilient to Dietary Shifts
Authors: Tinker Kara A. , Ottesen Elizabeth A. 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTThe omnivorous cockroachPeriplaneta americanahosts a diverse hindgut microbiota encompassing hundreds of microbial species. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to examine the effect of diet on the composition of theP. americanahindgut microbial community. Results show that the hindgut microbiota ofP. americanaexhibit a highly stable core microbial community with low variance in compositions between individuals and minimal community change in response to dietary shifts. This core hindgut microbiome is shared between laboratory-hosted and wild-caught individuals, although wild-caught specimens exhibited a higher diversity of low-abundance microbes that were lost following extended cultivation under laboratory conditions. This taxonomic stability strongly contrasts with observations of the gut microbiota of mammals, which have been shown to be highly responsive to dietary change. A comparison ofP. americanahindgut samples with human fecal samples indicated that the cockroach hindgut community exhibited higher alpha diversity but a substantially lower beta diversity than the human gut microbiome. This suggests that cockroaches have evolved unique mechanisms for establishing and maintaining a diverse and stable core microbiome.IMPORTANCEThe gut microbiome plays an important role in the overall health of its host. A healthy gut microbiota typically assists with defense against pathogens and the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food, while dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been associated with reduced health. In this study, we examined the composition and stability of the gut microbiota from the omnivorous cockroachPeriplaneta americana.We found thatP. americanahosts a diverse core gut microbiome that remains stable after drastic long-term changes in diet. While other insects, notably ant and bee species, have evolved mechanisms for maintaining a stable association with specific gut microbiota, these insects typically host low-diversity gut microbiomes and consume specialized diets. In contrast,P. americanahosts a gut microbiota that is highly species rich and consumes a diverse solid diet, suggesting that cockroaches have evolved unique mechanisms for developing and maintaining a stable gut microbiota.
Stress-Induced Evolution of Heat Resistance and Resuscitation Speed in Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 43888
Authors: Gayán Elisa , Cambré Alexander , Michiels Chris W. , Aertsen Abram 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT

The development of resistance in foodborne pathogens to food preservation techniques is an issue of increasing concern, especially in minimally processed foods where safety relies on hurdle technology. In this context, mild heat can be used in combination with so-called nonthermal processes, such as high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), at lower individual intensities to better retain the quality of the food. However, mild stresses may increase the risk of (cross-)resistance development in the surviving population, which in turn might compromise food safety. In this investigation, we examined the evolution of
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 strain ATCC 43888 after recurrent exposure to progressively intensifying mild heat shocks (from 54.0°C to 60.0°C in 0.5°C increments) with intermittent resuscitation and growth of survivors. As such, mutant strains were obtained after 10 cycles of selection with ca. 10
6
-fold higher heat resistance than that for the parental strain at 58.0°C, although this resistance did not extend to temperatures exceeding 60.0°C. Moreover, these mutant strains typically displayed cross-resistance against HHP shock and displayed signs of enhanced RpoS and RpoH activity. Interestingly, additional cycles of selection maintaining the intensity of the heat shock constant (58.5°C) selected for mutant strains in which resuscitation speed, rather than resistance, appeared to be increased. Therefore, it seems that resistance and resuscitation speed are rapidly evolvable traits in
E. coli
ATCC 43888 that can compromise food safety.

IMPORTANCE
In this investigation, we demonstrated that
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 ATCC 43888 rapidly acquires resistance to mild heat exposure, with this resistance yielding cross-protection to high hydrostatic pressure treatment. In addition, mutants of
E. coli
ATCC 43888 in which resuscitation speed, rather than resistance, appeared to be improved were selected. As such, both resistance and resuscitation speed seem to be rapidly evolvable traits that can compromise the control of foodborne pathogens in minimal processing strategies, which rely on the efficacy of combined mild preservation stresses for food safety.
Aphid Infestation Increases Fusarium langsethiae and T-2 and HT-2 Mycotoxins in Wheat
Authors: Drakulic Jassy , Ajigboye Olubukola , Swarup Ranjan , Bruce Toby , Ray Rumiana V. 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACT

Fusarium langsethiae
is a fungal pathogen of cereal crops that is an increasing problem in northern Europe, but much of its epidemiology is poorly understood. The species produces the mycotoxins T-2 and HT-2, which are highly toxic. It was hypothesized that grain aphids,
Sitobion avenae
, may transmit
F. langsethiae
inoculum between wheat plants, and a series of transmission experiments and volatile chemical analyses was performed to test this. Manual translocation of aphids from inoculated to uninfected hosts resulted in pathogen DNA accumulation in hosts. However, the free movement of wingless aphids from infected to healthy plants did not. The addition of winged aphids reared on
F. langsethiae
-inoculated wheat seedlings to wheat plants also did not achieve successful pathogen transfer. While our data suggested that aphid transmission of the pathogen was not very efficient, we observed an increase in disease when aphids were present. After seedling inoculation, an increase in pathogen DNA accumulation in seedling leaves was observed upon treatment with aphids. Furthermore, the presence of aphids on wheat plants with
F. langsethiae-
inoculated ears not only led to a rise in the amount of
F. langsethiae
DNA in infected grain but also to an increase in the concentrations of T-2 and HT-2 toxins, with more than 3-fold higher toxin levels than diseased plants without aphids. This work highlights that aphids increase the susceptibility of wheat host plants to
F. langsethiae
and that aphid infestation is a risk factor for accumulating increased levels of T-2 and HT-2 in wheat products.

IMPORTANCE
Fusarium langsethiae
is shown here to cause increased contamination levels of grain with toxins produced by fungus when aphids share the host plant. This effect has also recently been demonstrated with
Fusarium graminearum
, yet the two fungal species show stark differences in their effect on aphid populations. In both cases, aphids improve the ability of the pathogens to cause and initiate
Fusarium
head blight (FHB) disease in wheat, but
F. langsethiae
may be able to act as a dispersal agent.
F. langsethiae
contributes harmful toxins to wheat grain that need to be controlled, but as yet, its epidemiology is unresolved. This work reveals insights into the role aphids play in promoting the successful colonization of this species in wheat and the benefit of controlling aphid populations on crops that are at high risk of FHB.