bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of dietary methionine on productivity, reproductive performance, antioxidant capacity, ovalbumin and antioxidant-related gene expression in laying duck breeders
Authors: Ruan Dong , Fouad Ahmed M. , Fan Qiuli , Xia Weiguang , Wang Shuang , Chen Wei , Lin Chuxiao , Wang Ying , Yang Lin , Zheng Chuntian 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe study investigated whether dietary methionine (Met) affects egg weight and antioxidant status through regulating gene expression of ovalbumin (OVAL), nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2) and haem oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in laying duck breeders. Longyan duck breeders (n540, 19 weeks) were randomly assigned to six treatments with six replicates of fifteen birds each. Breeders were fed diets with six Met levels (2·00, 2·75, 3·50, 4·25, 5·00 and 5·75 g/kg) for 24 weeks. The egg weight (g), egg mass (g/d), feed conversion ratio, hatchability, 1-d duckling weight, albumen weight, albumen proportion andOVALmRNA level improved with dietary Met levels, whereas yolk proportion decreased (P<0·05). The weight of total large yellow follicles increased linearly (P<0·001) and quadratically (P<0·05) with dietary Met concentration, and their weight relative to ovarian weight showed a linear (P<0·05) effect. Dietary Met level had a linear (P<0·05) and quadratic (P<0·001) effect on the gene expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPX1),HO-1andNrf2, and quadratically (P<0·05) increased contents of GPX and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in liver of duck breeders. In addition, maternal dietary Met enhanced gene expression ofGPX1,HO-1andNrf2, increased contents of GPX and T-AOC and reduced carbonylated protein in the brains of hatchlings. Overall, dietary Met concentration affected egg weight and albumen weight in laying duck breeders, which was partly due to gene expression ofOVALin oviduct magnum. A diet containing 4·0 g Met/kg would achieve optimal hepaticGPX1andNrf2expression, maximise the activity of GPX and minimise lipid peroxidation.
MEAT AND ECONOMIC EXPERTISE IN THE BRITISH IMPERIAL STATE DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
Authors: KUMEKAWA IAN 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDuring the First World War, the British imperial state deployed economic expertise on a new scale. This article examines how such expertise was involved in the management of the supply and distribution of red meat, a key commodity because of its caloric and symbolic value. Meat was managed not through a centralized bureaucracy, but through the often contradictory policies and initiatives of several government departments. These departments, particularly the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Food, had vastly different ideological commitments about the proper economic role of the state and the importance of market liberalism. They also had highly distinct bureaucratic agendas related to the war. But all departments shared an interest in deploying economic expertise to pursue better their policy and political goals. Economics thus became both a real and a rhetorical tool. This article explores how economic information on meat was collected, analysed, and deployed by Whitehall offices during the First World War. In so doing, it contends that the variegation and ideological divergence of the departments helped integrate economic expertise into the fabric of the administrative state, thereby increasing the power both of the economic discipline and the state itself.
Surgical and interventional radiological management of adult epistaxis: systematic review
Authors: Swords C , Patel A , Smith M E , Williams R J , Kuhn I , Hopkins C 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackground:There is variation regarding the use of surgery and interventional radiological techniques in the management of epistaxis. This review evaluates the effectiveness of surgical artery ligation compared to direct treatments (nasal packing, cautery), and that of embolisation compared to direct treatments and surgery.Method:A systematic review of the literature was performed using a standardised published methodology and custom database search strategy.Results:Thirty-seven studies were identified relating to surgery, and 34 articles relating to interventional radiology. For patients with refractory epistaxis, endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation had the most favourable adverse effect profile and success rate compared to other forms of surgical artery ligation. Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation and embolisation had similar success rates (73–100 per cent and 75–92 per cent, respectively), although embolisation was associated with more serious adverse effects (risk of stroke, 1.1–1.5 per cent). No articles directly compared the two techniques.Conclusion:Trials comparing endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation to embolisation are required to better evaluate the clinical and economic effects of intervention in epistaxis.
Household access to traditional and indigenous foods positively associated with food security and dietary diversity in Botswana
Authors: Kasimba Salome Nduku , Motswagole Boitumelo Stokie , Covic Namukolo Margaret , Claasen Nicole 
Published: December 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo determine access to traditional and indigenous foods (TIF) and the association with household food security, dietary diversity and women’s BMI in low socio-economic households.DesignSequential explanatory mixed-methods design, including a random household cross-sectional survey on household food insecurity access (HFIA), household dietary diversity (HDD) and women’s BMI, followed by focus group discussions.SettingTwo rural and two urban areas of Botswana.SubjectsPersons responsible for food preparation or an adult in a household (n400); for BMI, non-pregnant women aged 18–49 years (n253).ResultsAlmost two-thirds of households experienced moderate or severe food insecurity (28·8 and 37·3 %, respectively), but more than half of women were overweight or obese (26·9 and 26·9 %, respectively). Median HDD score was 6 (interquartile range 5–7) out of a total of 12. A positive correlation was found between number of TIF accessed and HDD score (r=0·457;P<0·001) and a negative correlation between number of TIF accessed and HFIA score (r=−0·272;P<0·001). There was no correlation between number of TIF accessed and women’s BMI (r=−0·066;P=0·297). TIF were perceived as healthy but with declining consumption due to preference for modern foods.ConclusionsTIF may potentially have an important role in household food security and dietary diversity. There is need to explore potential benefits that may be associated with their optimal use on food security and nutrition outcomes.
Elderly patients’ and GPs’ perspectives of patient–GP communication concerning polypharmacy: a qualitative interview study
Authors: Schöpf Andrea C. , von Hirschhausen Maike , Farin Erik , Maun Andy 
Published: December 2017

AimThe aim of this study was to explore elderly patients’ and general practitioners’ (GPs’) perceptions of communication about polypharmacy, medication safety and approaches for empowerment.BackgroundTo manage polypharmacy, GPs need to know patients’ real medication consumption. However, previous research has shown that patients do not always volunteer all information about their medication regimen, for example, such as the intake of over-the-counter medication or the alteration or discontinuation of prescribed medication.MethodA qualitative interview study including patients of at least 65 years old with polypharmacy (⩾5 medications) and their GPs in a German Primary Healthcare Centre. The transcripts from the semi-structured interviews (n=6 with patients; n=3 with GPs) were analysed using a framework analytical approach.FindingsWe identified three themes: differing medication plans: causes?; dialogue concerning medication: whose responsibility?; supporting patients’ engagement: how? While GPs stated that patients do not always report or might even conceal information, all patients reported that they could speak openly about everything with their GPs. In this context, trust might act as a double-edged sword, as it can promote open communication but also prevent patients from asking questions. Both GPs and patients could name very few ways in which patients could be supported to become more informed and active in communication concerning polypharmacy and medication safety.ConclusionThis study shows that patients’ awareness of the significance of their active role in addressing polypharmacy needs to be increased. This includes understanding that trusting the doctor does not preclude asking questions or seeking more information. Thus, interventions which improve patients’ communication skills and address specific issues of polypharmacy, particularly in elderly patients, should be designed. GPs might support patients by ‘inviting’ their contribution.
Structural insight into the Ragulator complex which anchors mTORC1 to the lysosomal membrane
Authors: Mu Zongkai , Wang Lei , Deng Wei , Wang Jiawei , Wu Geng 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal-transduction pathway plays a key role in regulating many aspects of metabolic processes. The central player of the mTOR signaling pathway, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1), is recruited by the pentameric Ragulator complex and the heterodimeric Rag GTPase complex to the lysosomal membrane and thereafter activated. Here, we determined the crystal structure of the human Ragulator complex, which shows that Lamtor1 possesses a belt-like shape and wraps the other four subunits around. Extensive hydrophobic interactions occur between Lamtor1 and the Lamtor2-Lamtor3, Lamtor4-Lamtor5 roadblock domain protein pairs, while there is no substantial contact between Lamtor2-Lamtor3 and Lamtor4-Lamtor5 subcomplexes. Interestingly, an α-helix from Lamtor1 occupies each of the positions on Lamtor4 and Lamtor5 equivalent to the α3-helices of Lamtor2 and Lamtor3, thus stabilizing Lamtor4 and Lamtor5. Structural comparison between Ragulator and the yeast Ego1-Ego2-Ego3 ternary complex (Ego-TC) reveals that Ego-TC only corresponds to half of the Ragulator complex. Coupling with the fact that in the Ego-TC structure, Ego2 and Ego3 are lone roadblock domain proteins without another roadblock domain protein pairing with them, we suggest that additional components of the yeast Ego complex might exist.
Protein-inspired antibiotics active against vancomycin- and daptomycin-resistant bacteria
Authors: Blaskovich Mark A. T. , Hansford Karl A. , Gong Yujing , Butler Mark S. , Muldoon Craig , Huang Johnny X. , Ramu Soumya , Silva Alberto B. , Cheng Mu , Kavanagh Angela M. , Ziora Zyta , Premraj Rajaratnam , Lindahl Fredrik , Bradford Tanya A. , Lee June C. , Karoli Tomislav , Pelingon Ruby , Edwards David J. , Amado Maite , Elliott Alysha G. , Phetsang Wanida , Daud Noor Huda , Deecke Johan E. , Sidjabat Hanna E. , Ramaologa Sefetogi , Zuegg Johannes , Betley Jason R. , Beevers Andrew P. G. , Smith Richard A. G. , Roberts Jason A. , Paterson David L. , Cooper Matthew A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe public health threat posed by a looming ‘post-antibiotic’ era necessitates new approaches to antibiotic discovery. Drug development has typically avoided exploitation of membrane-binding properties, in contrast to nature’s control of biological pathways via modulation of membrane-associated proteins and membrane lipid composition. Here, we describe the rejuvenation of the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin via selective targeting of bacterial membranes. Peptide libraries based on positively charged electrostatic effector sequences are ligated to N-terminal lipophilic membrane-insertive elements and then conjugated to vancomycin. These modified lipoglycopeptides, the ‘vancapticins’, possess enhanced membrane affinity and activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other Gram-positive bacteria, and retain activity against glycopeptide-resistant strains. Optimised antibiotics show in vivo efficacy in multiple models of bacterial infection. This membrane-targeting strategy has potential to ‘revitalise’ antibiotics that have lost effectiveness against recalcitrant bacteria, or enhance the activity of other intravenous-administered drugs that target membrane-associated receptors.
Circulating exosomes suppress the induction of regulatory T cells via let-7i in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kimura Kimitoshi , Hohjoh Hirohiko , Fukuoka Masashi , Sato Wakiro , Oki Shinji , Tomi Chiharu , Yamaguchi Hiromi , Kondo Takayuki , Takahashi Ryosuke , Yamamura Takashi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are reduced in frequency and dysfunctional in patients with MS, but the underlying mechanisms of this deficiency are unclear. Here, we show that induction of human IFN-γ−IL-17A−Foxp3+CD4+ T cells is inhibited in the presence of circulating exosomes from patients with MS. The exosomal miRNA profile of patients with MS differs from that of healthy controls, and let-7i, which is markedly increased in patients with MS, suppresses induction of Treg cells by targeting insulin like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1). Consistently, the expression of IGF1R and TGFBR1 on circulating naive CD4+ T cells is reduced in patients with MS. Thus, our study shows that exosomal let-7i regulates MS pathogenesis by blocking the IGF1R/TGFBR1 pathway.
Targeting immune checkpoints potentiates immunoediting and changes the dynamics of tumor evolution
Authors: Efremova Mirjana , Rieder Dietmar , Klepsch Victoria , Charoentong Pornpimol , Finotello Francesca , Hackl Hubert , Hermann-Kleiter Natascha , Löwer Martin , Baier Gottfried , Krogsdam Anne , Trajanoski Zlatko 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe cancer immunoediting hypothesis postulates a dual role of the immune system: protecting the host by eliminating tumor cells, and shaping the tumor by editing its genome. Here, we elucidate the impact of evolutionary and immune-related forces on editing the tumor in a mouse model for hypermutated and microsatellite-instable colorectal cancer. Analyses of wild-type and immunodeficient RAG1 knockout mice transplanted with MC38 cells reveal that upregulation of checkpoint molecules and infiltration by Tregs are the major tumor escape mechanisms. Our results show that the effects of immunoediting are weak and that neutral accumulation of mutations dominates. Targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway using immune checkpoint blocker effectively potentiates immunoediting. The immunoediting effects are less pronounced in the CT26 cell line, a non-hypermutated/microsatellite-instable model. Our study demonstrates that neutral evolution is another force that contributes to sculpting the tumor and that checkpoint blockade effectively enforces T-cell-dependent immunoselective pressure.
Extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet light in the fungal pathogen causing white-nose syndrome of bats
Authors: Palmer Jonathan M. , Drees Kevin P. , Foster Jeffrey T. , Lindner Daniel L. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBat white-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has decimated North American hibernating bats since its emergence in 2006. Here, we utilize comparative genomics to examine the evolutionary history of this pathogen in comparison to six closely related nonpathogenic species. P. destructans displays a large reduction in carbohydrate-utilizing enzymes (CAZymes) and in the predicted secretome (~50%), and an increase in lineage-specific genes. The pathogen has lost a key enzyme, UVE1, in the alternate excision repair (AER) pathway, which is known to contribute to repair of DNA lesions induced by ultraviolet (UV) light. Consistent with a nonfunctional AER pathway, P. destructans is extremely sensitive to UV light, as well as the DNA alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). The differential susceptibility of P. destructans to UV light in comparison to other hibernacula-inhabiting fungi represents a potential “Achilles’ heel” of P. destructans that might be exploited for treatment of bats with WNS.
Staphylococcus aureus produces pain through pore-forming toxins and neuronal TRPV1 that is silenced by QX-314
Authors: Blake Kimbria J. , Baral Pankaj , Voisin Tiphaine , Lubkin Ashira , Pinho-Ribeiro Felipe Almeida , Adams Kelsey L. , Roberson David P. , Ma Yuxin C. , Otto Michael , Woolf Clifford J. , Torres Victor J. , Chiu Isaac M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe hallmark of many bacterial infections is pain. The underlying mechanisms of pain during live pathogen invasion are not well understood. Here, we elucidate key molecular mechanisms of pain produced during live methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. We show that spontaneous pain is dependent on the virulence determinant agr and bacterial pore-forming toxins (PFTs). The cation channel, TRPV1, mediated heat hyperalgesia as a distinct pain modality. Three classes of PFTs—alpha-hemolysin (Hla), phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs), and the leukocidin HlgAB—directly induced neuronal firing and produced spontaneous pain. From these mechanisms, we hypothesized that pores formed in neurons would allow entry of the membrane-impermeable sodium channel blocker QX-314 into nociceptors to silence pain during infection. QX-314 induced immediate and long-lasting blockade of pain caused by MRSA infection, significantly more than lidocaine or ibuprofen, two widely used clinical analgesic treatments.
Binaural Speech Understanding With Bilateral Cochlear Implants in Reverberation
Authors: Kokkinakis Kostas 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether bilateral cochlear implant (CI) listeners who are fitted with clinical processors are able to benefit from binaural advantages under reverberant conditions. Another aim of this contribution was to determine whether the magnitude of each binaural advantage observed inside a highly reverberant environment differs significantly from the magnitude measured in a near-anechoic environment.

Method
Ten adults with postlingual deafness who are bilateral CI users fitted with either Nucleus 5 or Nucleus 6 clinical sound processors (Cochlear Corporation) participated in this study. Speech reception thresholds were measured in sound field and 2 different reverberation conditions (0.06 and 0.6 s) as a function of the listening condition (left, right, both) and the noise spatial location (left, front, right).

Results
The presence of the binaural effects of head-shadow, squelch, summation, and spatial release from masking in the 2 different reverberation conditions tested was determined using nonparametric statistical analysis. In the bilateral population tested, when the ambient reverberation time was equal to 0.6 s, results indicated strong positive effects of head-shadow and a weaker spatial release from masking advantage, whereas binaural squelch and summation contributed no statistically significant benefit to bilateral performance under this acoustic condition. These findings are consistent with those of previous studies, which have demonstrated that head-shadow yields the most pronounced advantage in noise. The finding that spatial release from masking produced little to almost no benefit in bilateral listeners is consistent with the hypothesis that additive reverberation degrades spatial cues and negatively affects binaural performance.

Conclusions
The magnitude of 4 different binaural advantages was measured on the same group of bilateral CI subjects fitted with clinical processors in 2 different reverberation conditions. The results of this work demonstrate the impeding properties of reverberation on binaural speech understanding. In addition, results indicate that CI recipients who struggle in everyday listening environments are also more likely to benefit less in highly reverberant environments from their bilateral processors.
Hemitransdomal versus Dome-Binding Suture
Authors: Casanueva Fernando , Cardemil Felipe , Gerecci Deniz 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe dome-binding suture (DBS) and hemitransdomal suture (HTS) are suture techniques used to narrow and define the nasal tip. The DBS can create a pinched, unnatural appearance, while the HTS puts the lateral crus in a more favorable orientation. This allows a natural contour between the nasal tip and alar lobule while maintaining alar margin support. Objective measurement of the rotational axis of the lateral crus between the DBS and the HTS has not been reported in the literature. To determine whether the DBS or HTS technique results in a more favorable rotational axis of the lateral crus as measured by the alar surface septal angle (ASSA). Open rhinoplasty with cephalic trim and placement of a DBS or HTS was performed in 6 cadaveric heads, for a total of 12 lower lateral cartilages at the VirtuOHSU Simulation and Surgical Training Center at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). ASSA measurements were taken at baseline and after placement of either a DBS or HTS. A total of 36 ASSA measurements were obtained. The median baseline ASSA prior to suture placement was 142 degrees (interquartile range [IQR]: 131.5–145 degrees), following DBS placement was 141 degrees (IQR: 33–150.5 degrees), and following HTS placement was 112 degrees (IQR: 108–117 degrees). There was no statistically significant difference of ASSA measurements between baseline and DBS placement (p = 0.24), but there was a statistically significant difference between baseline and HTS (p < 0.0001) and between DBS and HTS (p < 0.0001). The HTS technique creates a more favorable rotational axis of the lateral crus as compared with the DBS, as measured by the ASSA. This study provides objective data to support the use of the HTS for nasal tip contouring.
Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt in Ascites: Updates
Authors: Trieu Harry , Kee Stephen , Lee Edward 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe 2009 update of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (practice guidelines recommends transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for the treatment of refractory ascites in patients who do not tolerate repeated large volume paracentesis (LVP). It also stated uncertain survival benefit and possible increase in the risk of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Since this update was published, new studies concerning TIPS as therapy for refractory ascites have emerged. Five studies reported a significant survival improvement in patients who underwent TIPS compared with LVP for refractory ascites, while a single study noted improved survival rates in covered stent TIPS recipients. Three studies found a significantly greater prevalence of severe HE in TIPS recipients compared with LVP recipients; however, only one study reported a significant association between TIPS and increased development of HE of all grades. Based on our review of the current literature, we recommend TIPS over LVP for the treatment of refractory ascites. Further, covered stents should be used for TIPS creation whenever possible.