bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of Ca2+ signaling in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Zaichick Sofia V. , McGrath Kaitlyn M. , Caraveo Gabriela 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTAcross all kingdoms in the tree of life, calcium (Ca2+) is an essential element used by cells to respond and adapt to constantly changing environments. In multicellular organisms, it plays fundamental roles during fertilization, development and adulthood. The inability of cells to regulate Ca2+ can lead to pathological conditions that ultimately culminate in cell death. One such pathological condition is manifested in Parkinson's disease, the second most common neurological disorder in humans, which is characterized by the aggregation of the protein, α-synuclein. This Review discusses current evidence that implicates Ca2+ in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Understanding the mechanisms by which Ca2+ signaling contributes to the progression of this disease will be crucial for the development of effective therapies to combat this devastating neurological condition.
Modelling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: progress and possibilities
Authors: Van Damme Philip , Robberecht Wim , Van Den Bosch Ludo 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects the motor system and presents with progressive muscle weakness. Most patients survive for only 2-5 years after disease onset, often due to failure of the respiratory muscles. ALS is a familial disease in ∼10% of patients, with the remaining 90% developing sporadic ALS. Over the past decade, major advances have been made in our understanding of the genetics and neuropathology of ALS. To date, around 20 genes are associated with ALS, with the most common causes of typical ALS associated with mutations in SOD1, TARDBP, FUS and C9orf72. Advances in our understanding of the genetic basis of ALS have led to the creation of different models of this disease. The molecular pathways that have emerged from these systems are more heterogeneous than previously anticipated, ranging from protein aggregation and defects in multiple key cellular processes in neurons, to dysfunction of surrounding non-neuronal cells. Here, we review the different model systems used to study ALS and discuss how they have contributed to our current knowledge of ALS disease mechanisms. A better understanding of emerging disease pathways, the detrimental effects of the various gene mutations and the causes underlying motor neuron denegation in sporadic ALS will accelerate progress in the development of novel treatments.
Neurodegenerative disease: models, mechanisms, and a new hope
Authors: Gitler Aaron D. , Dhillon Paraminder , Shorter James 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
Neurodegeneration is a feature of many debilitating, incurable diseases that are rapidly rising in prevalence, such as Parkinson's disease. There is an urgent need to develop new and more effective therapeutic strategies to combat these devastating diseases. Models – from cell-based systems, to unicellular organisms, to complex animals – have proven to be a useful tool to help the research community shed light on the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, and these advances have now begun to provide promising therapeutic avenues. In this themed issue of Disease Models & Mechanisms, a special collection of articles focused on neurodegenerative diseases is introduced. The collection includes original research articles that provide new insights into the complex pathophysiology of such diseases, revealing candidate biomarkers or therapeutic targets. Some of the articles describe a new disease model that enables deeper exploration of key mechanisms. We also present a series of reviews that highlight some of the recent translational advances made in studies of neurodegenerative diseases. In this Editorial, we summarize the articles featured in this collection, emphasizing the impact that model-based studies have made in this exciting area of research.
Metabolic cost of human hopping
Authors: Gutmann Anne K. , Bertram John E. A. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTTo interpret the movement strategies employed in locomotion, it is necessary to understand the source of metabolic cost. Muscles must consume metabolic energy to do work, but also must consume energy to generate force. The energy lost during steady locomotion and, hence, the amount of mechanical work muscles need to perform to replace it can be reduced and, in theory, even eliminated by elastically storing and returning some portion of this energy via the tendons. However, even if muscles do not need to perform any mechanical work, they still must generate sufficient force to tension tendons and support body weight. This study shows that the metabolic cost per hop of human hopping can largely be explained by the cost of producing force over the duration of a hop. Metabolic cost determined via oxygen consumption is compared with theoretical predictions made using a number of different cost functions that include terms for average muscle work, force, force rate and impulse (time integral of muscle force). Muscle impulse alone predicts metabolic cost per hop as well as more complex functions that include terms for muscle work, force and force rate, and explains a large portion (92%) of the variation in metabolic cost per hop. This is equivalent to 1/effective mechanical advantage, explaining a large portion (66%) of the variation in metabolic cost per time per unit body weight. This result contrasts with studies that suggest that muscle force rate or muscle force rate per time determines the metabolic cost per time of force production in other bouncing gaits such as running.
A putative antiviral role of plant cytidine deaminases
Authors: Martín Susana , Cuevas José M. , Grande-Pérez Ana , Elena Santiago F 
Published: May 2017

Background: A mechanism of innate antiviral immunity operating against viruses infecting mammalian cells has been described during the last decade. Host cytidine deaminases (e.g., APOBEC3 proteins) edit viral genomes, giving rise to hypermutated nonfunctional viruses; consequently, viral fitness is reduced through lethal mutagenesis. By contrast, sub-lethal hypermutagenesis may contribute to virus evolvability by increasing population diversity. To prevent genome editing, some viruses have evolved proteins that mediate APOBEC3 degradation. The model plantArabidopsis thalianagenome encodes nine cytidine deaminases (AtCDAs), raising the question of whether deamination is an antiviral mechanism in plants as well.Methods: Here we tested the effects of expression ofAtCDAs on the pararetrovirus Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV). Two different experiments were carried out. First, we transiently overexpressed each one of the nineA. thalianaAtCDAgenes inNicotianabigeloviiplants infected with CaMV, and characterized the resulting mutational spectra, comparing them with those generated under normal conditions. Secondly, we createdA. thalianatransgenic plants expressing an artificial microRNA designed to knock-out the expression of up to sixAtCDAgenes. This and control plants were then infected with CaMV. Virus accumulation and mutational spectra where characterized in both types of plants.Results: We have shown that theA. thalianaAtCDA1gene product exerts a mutagenic activity, significantly increasing the number of G to A mutationsin vivo, with a concomitant reduction in the amount of CaMV genomes accumulated. Furthermore, the magnitude of this mutagenic effect on CaMV accumulation is positively correlated with the level ofAtCDA1mRNA expression in the plant.Conclusions: Our results suggest that deamination of viral genomes may also work as an antiviral mechanism in plants.
De novo whole-genome assembly of a wild type yeast isolate using nanopore sequencing
Authors: Jansen Hans J. , Dirks Ron P. , Liem Michael , Henkel Christiaan V. , van Heusden G. Paul H. , Lemmers Richard J.L.F. , Omer Trifa , Shao Shuai , Punt Peter J. , Spaink Herman P. 
Published: May 2017

Background: The introduction of the MinIONTM sequencing device by Oxford Nanopore Technologies may greatly accelerate whole genome sequencing. It has been shown that the nanopore sequence data, in combination with other sequencing technologies, is highly useful for accurate annotation of all genes in the genome. However, it also offers great potential for de novo assembly of complex genomes without using other technologies. In this manuscript we used nanopore sequencing as a tool to classify yeast strains. Methods: We compared various technical and software developments for the nanopore sequencing protocol, showing that the R9 chemistry is, as predicted, higher in quality than R7.3 chemistry. The R9 chemistry is an essential improvement for assembly of the extremely AT-rich mitochondrial genome. Results: In this study, we used this new technology to sequence and de novo assemble the genome of a recently isolated ethanologenic yeast strain, and compared the results with those obtained by classical Illumina short read sequencing. This strain was originally named Candida vartiovaarae (Torulopsis vartiovaarae) based on ribosomal RNA sequencing. We show that the assembly using nanopore data is much more contiguous than the assembly using short read data. Conclusions: The mitochondrial and chromosomal genome sequences showed that our strain is clearly distinct from other yeast taxons and most closely related to published Cyberlindnera species. In conclusion, MinION-mediated long read sequencing can be used for high quality de novo assembly of new eukaryotic microbial genomes.
Growth hormone receptor antagonism with pegvisomant in insulin resistant non-diabetic men: A phase II pilot study
Authors: Lee Ada P. , Mulligan Kathleen , Schambelan Morris , Murphy Elizabeth J. , Weiss Ethan J. 
Published: May 2017

Background:Growth hormone (GH) is known to affect insulin and glucose metabolism. Blocking its effects in acromegalic patients improves diabetes and glucose metabolism. We aimed to determine the effect of pegvisomant, a GH receptor antagonist, on insulin resistance, endogenous glucose production (EGP) and lipolysis in insulin resistant non-diabetic men. Methods:Four men between the ages of 18-62 with a BMI of 18-35kg/m2, with insulin resistance as defined by a HOMA-IR > 2.77, were treated for four weeks with pegvisomant 20 mg daily. Inpatient metabolic assessments were performed before and after treatment. The main outcome measurements were: change after pegvisomant therapy in insulin sensitivity as measured by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp; and EGP and lipolysis assessed by stable isotope tracer techniques.Results:Insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations decreased from 134.0 ± 41.5 (mean ± SD) to 72.0 ± 11.7 ng/mL (p = 0.04) after 4 weeks of therapy. Whole body insulin sensitivity index (M/I 3.2 ± 1.3vs.3.4 ± 2.4;P= 0.82), as well as suppression of EGP (89.7 ± 26.9vs.83.5 ± 21.6%; p = 0.10) and Ra glycerol (59.4 ± 22.1%vs.61.2 ± 14.4%; p = 0.67) during the clamp were not changed significantly with pegvisomant treatment.Conclusions:Blockade of the GH receptor with pegvisomant for four weeks had no significant effect on insulin/glucose metabolism in a small phase II pilot study of non-diabetic insulin resistant participants without acromegaly.
Efficacy of an 8-week course of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir for the treatment of HCV infection in selected HIV-infected patients
Authors: Ogbuagu Onyema , Hao Ritche , Virata Michael , Villanueva Merceditas S. , Malinis Maricar 
Published: May 2017

Background: With the availability of direct acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C (HCV), HIV and HCV co-infected patients show comparable treatment responses to HCV-monoinfected patients. An 8-week course of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV) is highly effective for the treatment of HCV genotype 1 infection in treatment-naïve mono-infected patients with HCV viral loads <6 million IU/ml. There is limited data on the efficacy of this 8-week HCV treatment regimen in HIV-infected individuals with similar viral loads. Methods: The study was a retrospective review of HIV-infected adults coinfected with HCV genotype 1 for whom an 8-week course of SOF/LDV was prescribed by providers at two clinics in the Yale-New Haven health system from November 1, 2014 until April 30, 2016. Treatment efficacy was assessed as the proportion of treatment initiators who achieved a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after completion of therapy (SVR 12). Results: Nineteen patients met study eligibility criteria and included 14 men (74%); and 12 African-Americans (63%). All patients were on antiretroviral therapy with fully suppressed HIV viral loads and were HCV treatment-naïve. All patients had pre-treatment HCV viral loads <6 million IU/mL. Eighteen patients (95%) completed HCV treatment. Overall, SVR 12 was 95%, with 1 treament failure occurring due to suboptimal adherence. Conclusion: Among our HIV-infected patient cohort with HCV genotype 1 infection, 95% of those treated with an 8 week course of SOF/LDV achieved SVR 12. This is comparable to the efficacy of the same treatment regimen in patients without HIV infection. This study lends proof of concept to the use of shorter course SOF/LDV treatment for HIV-HCV genotype 1 coinfected patients with viral loads <6 million IU/ml. Larger studies are indicated to validate our findings.
Systematic Review of Interventions to Reduce Urinary Tract Infection in Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Meddings Jennifer , Saint Sanjay , Krein Sarah L. , Gaies Elissa , Reichert Heidi , Hickner Andrew , McNamara Sara , Mann Jason D. , Mody Lona 
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUNDUrinary tract infections (UTIs) in nursing homes are common, costly, and morbid.PURPOSESystematic literature review of strategies to reduce UTIs in nursing home residents.DATA SOURCESOvid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science and Embase through June 22, 2015.STUDY SELECTIONInterventional studies with a comparison group reporting at least 1 outcome for: catheter‐associated UTI (CAUTI), UTIs not identified as catheter‐associated, bacteriuria, or urinary catheter use.DATA EXTRACTIONTwo authors abstracted study design, participant and intervention details, outcomes, and quality measures.DATA SYNTHESISOf 5794 records retrieved, 20 records describing 19 interventions were included: 8 randomized controlled trials, 10 pre‐post nonrandomized interventions, and 1 nonrandomized intervention with concurrent controls. Quality (range, 8‐25; median, 15) and outcome definitions varied greatly. Thirteen studies employed strategies to reduce catheter use or improve catheter care; 9 studies employed general infection prevention strategies (eg, improving hand hygiene, surveillance, contact precautions, reducing antibiotics). The 19 studies reported 12 UTI outcomes, 9 CAUTI outcomes, 4 bacteriuria outcomes, and 5 catheter use outcomes. Five studies showed CAUTI reduction (1 significantly); 9 studies showed UTI reduction (none significantly); 2 studies showed bacteriuria reduction (none significantly). Four studies showed reduced catheter use (1 significantly).LIMITATIONSStudies were often underpowered to assess statistical significance; none were pooled given variety of interventions and outcomes.CONCLUSIONSSeveral practices, often implemented in bundles, such as improving hand hygiene, reducing and improving catheter use, managing incontinence without catheters, and enhanced barrier precautions, appear to reduce UTI or CAUTI in nursing home residents.
Closeness, distance and disappearances in Cameroonian mediated transnational social ties: Uses of mobile phones and narratives of transformed identities
Authors: Tazanu Primus M. , Frei Bettina Anja 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Drawn from ethnographic fieldwork conducted among Cameroonians in Switzerland, Germany, and Cameroon, this article demonstrates transformations induced by the new communication media − particularly the mobile phone – in Cameroonian transnational social relationships. Many narratives revolve around ambivalences, tensions and non-communication that arise from different and often, contradictory expectations as well as dissimilar life-world experiences of the actors. We employ the notion of an ideal ‘African sociality’ to serve as guideline for the valuations of the mediated ties, which is reflected in, and opposed to the notion of migrant or ‘bushfaller disease’ – migrants’ attributive tendency to detach from these ideals when abroad. In these narratives, technological means for communication and related users’ agency serve as catalyst through which changing sociality is observed and articulated by migrants abroad and non-migrants in Cameroon.
Spatial distribution, environmental risk and source of heavy metals in street dust from an industrial city in semi-arid area of China
Authors: Han Xiufeng , Lu Xinwei 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Environmental risks associated with Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in street dust collected from Baotou, a medium-sized industrial city in a semi-arid area of northwest China, were assessed by using enrichment factor and the potential ecological index. Their spatial distributions and sources in the dust were analyzed on the basis of geostatistical methods and multivariate statistical analysis, respectively. The results indicate that street dust in Baotou has elevated heavy metal concentrations, especially of Co, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn. Co in the dust was significantly enriched. Cr and Pb were from moderate to significant enrichment. Cu and Zn were from minimal to moderate enrichment, whereas Mn, Ni and V in the dust were from deficient to minimal enrichment. The ecological risk levels of Co and Pb in the dust were moderate to considerable and low to moderate, respectively, whereas those of other heavy metals studied in the dust presented low ecological risk. Different distribution patterns were found among the analyzed heavy metals. Three main sources of these heavy metals were identified. Cr, Mn, Ni and V originated from nature and industrial activities. Cu, Pb and Zn derived mainly from traffic sources, and Co was mainly from construction sources.
Dynamics of ibuprofen biodegradation by Bacillus sp. B1(2015b)
Authors: Marchlewicz Ariel , Guzik Urszula , Wojcieszyńska Danuta 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
High intake of over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, has resulted in their presence in wastewaters and surface waters. The potentially harmful effect of ibuprofen present in the waters has led to a search for new methods of drugs’ removal from the environment. One of the most important technological and economical solutions comprises microbiological degradation of these resistant pollutants. Searching for new strains able to degrade ibuprofen could be one of the answers for increasing the detection of pharmaceuticals in the waters. In this study, the ability of bacterial strain Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b) to remove ibuprofen is described. Bacteria were cultured in both monosubstrate and cometabolic systems with 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 mg L-1 ibuprofen and 1 g L-1 glucose as a carbon source. Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b) removed ibuprofen up to 9 mg L-1 in 232 hours in the monosubstrate culture, whereas in the cometabolic culture the removal of the drug was over 6 times faster. That is why the examined strain could be used to enhance the bioremediation of ibuprofen.
Factors Affecting Fertility – New Evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Awad Atif , Yussof Ishak 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
This research paper investigates long and short term determinants of fertility rates in Malaysia based on basic macroeconomic variables for the period 1980-2014 using Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method. The study reveals that over a long term period, all the selected variables (GDP, infant mortality rate, females’ education and employment) have had significant and negative impact on total fertility rates. Whilst during the short term period, only the infant mortality rate has had a positive impact. Since population growth is partly determined by fertility rates, efforts to increase population in Malaysia should consider factors that affect those rates.
Analysis of the Re-emergence and Occurrence of Cholera in Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Babatimehin Oyekanmi Isaac , Uyeh Joy Orevaoghene , Onukogu Angela Uloma 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
This paper analysed the factors responsible for the re-emergence of cholera and predicted the future occurrence of Cholera in Lagos State, Nigeria using factor analysis, multiple linear regression analysis and a cellular automata model for the prediction. The study revealed six Local Government Areas (LGAs) under very high threat, nine under low threat, and Surulere and some parts of Amuwo Odofin under medium threat in the near future. These areas have an average population of 200,000 people each with the total tending towards millions of people, all under threat of cholera occurring and re-emerging in their communities. The factors relating to the re-emergence of the disease were discovered to be environmental (rainfall, R2=0.017, P<0.05 and temperature, R2=0.525, P>0.05); socio-economic (household size R2=0.816, P>0.05; income, R2=0.880, P>0.05; and education, R2=0.827, P>0.05). The Cellular Automata Markov Prediction model showed that by 2016, Lagos State will experience 79 cholera cases which will increase to 143 in 2020. This prediction model revealed that Ikorodu will record 40 cases, Apapa 12, Ojo 5, Mushin 3, while Amuwo-Odofin, Badagry and Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGAs will each record 2 cases between 2011 and 2016. The study concludes that there is a cholera threat in Lagos State and the factors of vulnerability that predispose people to the disease must be tackled over time and space for effective prevention, control and management of the disease.
Government expenditure and economic growth in the European Union countries: New evidence
Authors: Sáez Marta Pascual , Álvarez-García Santiago , Rodríguez Daniela Castañeda 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis paper provides new evidence of the impact of government spending on economic growth in the European Union countries. Governments can adjust their levels of spending in order to influence their economies, although the relationship between these variables can be positive or negative, depending on the countries included in the sample, the period of estimation and the variables which reflect the size of the public sector. The results obtained based on regression and panel techniques suggest that government expenditure is not clearly related with economic growth in the European Union countries over the period 1994-2012.
Free vibration of functionally graded parabolic and circular panels with general boundary conditions
Authors: Zhang Hong , Shi Dongyan , Wang Qingshan , Qin Bin 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this content is to investigate the free vibration of functionally graded parabolic and circular panels with general boundary conditions by using the Fourier-Ritz method. The first-order shear deformation theory is adopted to consider the effects of the transverse shear and rotary inertia of the panel structures. The functionally graded panel structures consist of ceramic and metal which are assumed to vary continuously through the thickness according to the power-law distribution, and two types of power-law distributions are considered for the ceramic volume fraction. The improved Fourier series method is applied to construct the new admissible function of the panels to surmount the weakness of the relevant discontinuities with the original displacement and its derivatives at the boundaries while using the traditional Fourier series method. The boundary spring technique is adopted to simulate the general boundary condition. The unknown coefficients appearing in the admissible function are determined by using the Ritz procedure based on the energy functional of the panels. The numerical results show the present method has good convergence, reliability and accuracy. Some new results for functionally graded parabolic and circular panels with different material distributions and boundary conditions are provided, which may serve as benchmark solutions.