bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection and identification of Trichophyton tonsurans from clinical isolates and hairbrush samples by loop‐mediated isothermal amplification system
Authors: Yo Ayaka , Yamamoto Mikachi , Nakayama Takako , Ishikawa Jun , Makimura Koichi 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSince the 1990s, there have been reports of the spread of dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans among contact sports athletes in several countries, including Japan. This study was performed to develop a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) system for rapid and accurate detection and identification of T. tonsurans from clinical isolates or hairbrush samples for diagnosis and to prevent the spread of infection. A specific primer set was prepared by comparing the whole genome sequence of T. tonsurans with those of six other closely related dermatophytes. After confirming the sensitivity and specificity of this system, LAMP assay was performed using 37 clinical samples obtained from three healthy volunteers and 24 judo athletes. A total of 155 fungal isolates (56 strains of various standard fungi, 96 identified T. tonsurans isolates, three hairbrush‐cultured isolates from judo athletes) and 37 hairbrush samples (34 samples from 24 judo athletes, and three samples from three healthy volunteers) were used for culture and LAMP assay, respectively. The assay showed no cross‐reactivity to standard strains other than T. tonsurans. The detection limit was 100 copies of DNA template per tube. All of the 96 T. tonsurans isolates were amplified, and all samples from healthy volunteers showed negative results. Four of the 34 hairbrush samples obtained from judo athletes showed positive results in LAMP assay, and two of the four were positive in both culture and LAMP assay. We developed a rapid LAMP system with high specificity and sensitivity for diagnosis of T. tonsurans infection.
Manipulation of light spectral quality disrupts host location and attachment by parasitic plants in the genus Cuscuta
Authors: Johnson Beth I. , De Moraes Consuelo M. , Mescher Mark C. 
Published: February 2016

Summary

Parasitic plants in the genus Cuscuta (dodders) make their living by extracting resources from other plants. While relatively few dodder species are agricultural pests, those that are can be challenging to control, in part due to their intimate physical and physiological association with host plants. Consequently, dodders remain pervasive and economically damaging pests in a variety of crop systems. The development of improved management strategies would be facilitated by greater understanding of the ecological and environmental factors that influence the establishment and perpetuation of dodder infestations.

Light cues play an important role in dodder host location and attachment. To better understand the influence of light conditions on parasite ecology, and potential implications for management, we examined how manipulating the ratio of red to far‐red wavelengths (R:FR), via both passive filtering of natural sunlight and active spectral manipulation using LEDs, affects host location and host attachment by two dodder species (C. campestris on tomato hosts and C. gronovii on jewelweed).

For both host–parasite combinations, host location and subsequent attachment by dodder parasites was dramatically reduced in high‐R:FR environments compared to control conditions (with R:FR characteristic of sunlight) and low‐R:FR conditions. Circumnutation by dodder seedlings was also significantly faster under high R:FR.

We observed short‐term effects of high R:FR on the height and dry mass of tomato host plants (immediately following 7‐day exposure), as well as changes in tomato volatile emissions. However, preliminary investigation of long‐term effects on host plants suggests that short‐term exposure to high R:FR (i.e. during the critical period when dodder seedlings emerge and attach to hosts) has little or no effect on host plant size or fruit yield at the time of harvest.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings suggest that spectral manipulation during the early stages of crop plant growth (e.g. via light‐filtering row covers) may have significant potential to augment existing methods for managing or preventing dodder infestations in agricultural crops. We discuss potential obstacles to the realization of its potential, as well as next steps towards the development and optimization of spectral manipulation methods for use in agroecosystems.
Which mechanisms drive seasonal rabies outbreaks in raccoons? A test using dynamic social network models
Authors: Hirsch Ben T. , Reynolds Jennifer J.H. , Gehrt Stanley D. , Craft Meggan E. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryThe timing of raccoon rabies outbreaks in the easternUSAis non‐random and often exhibits a seasonal peak. While fluctuations in disease transmission can be driven by seasonal changes in animal population dynamics, behaviour and physiology, it is still unclear which causal factors lead to seasonal outbreaks of raccoon rabies.We used dynamic network modelling to test which of three seasonally changing factors are most likely responsible for raccoon rabies outbreaks: (i) birth pulses, (ii) changes in social network structure and (iii) changes in social contact duration.In contrast to previous predictions, we found that a change in social contact duration was the single most important driver of rabies seasonality. More specifically, co‐denning for thermoregulation during the winter increases the amount of time individuals spend in close contact, which in turn should lead to peaks in rabies transmission during the winter.Increased time spent in close proximity during cold winter months has implications for seasonal disease patterns in raccoon populations across a latitudinal gradient, as well as potentially being important for pathogens transmitted by close contact in other wildlife hosts.Synthesis and applications. By incorporating detailed empirical data describing variation in raccoon contacts into a network modelling framework, it is possible to determine the likely causal mechanisms driving seasonal disease patterns. This can be crucial information for wildlife and public health officials implementing wildlife disease control programmes.
Response to agriculture by a woodland species depends on cover type and behavioural state: insights from resident and dispersing Iberian lynx
Authors: Gastón Aitor , Blázquez‐Cabrera Sandra , Garrote Germán , Mateo‐Sánchez María C. , Beier Paul , Simón Miguel A. , Saura Santiago 
Published: February 2016

Summary

Conservation biology faces the challenge of ensuring species persistence in increasingly modified landscapes. Agriculture covers a large proportion of the Earth's surface, but the degree to which crop production is compatible with species use of the landscape is still uncertain, particularly for woodland carnivores with large territories. Here, we focus on the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus, an emblematic endangered species that has coexisted for centuries with human‐modified Mediterranean mosaics, as a case study to unravel habitat and dispersal preferences in heterogeneous landscapes.

We estimated species resource selection from ≈40 000 telemetry locations for 48 GPS‐collared individuals covering all the current Iberian lynx range, including more fragmented areas where the species was reintroduced from 2009. We differentiated GPS locations within home ranges (to estimate habitat suitability) and those corresponding to dispersal or exploratory movements (to estimate landscape permeability). We built mixed conditional logistic regression models with 12 land cover classes, terrain slope and roads as predictors.

We found that lynx response to agriculture largely depends on the crop type and on the presence of natural vegetation remnants. Lynx largely avoided intensive cultivation areas such as irrigated arable lands when establishing home ranges, but frequently selected permanent crops (olive groves) and/or heterogeneous agricultural lands, which were used with smaller differences to the most preferred shrubland or forest covers than reported in previous studies.

Such differences further narrowed down when lynx moved outside home ranges, with some agricultural covers being as permeable as shrublands for lynx dispersal. The species dispersal plasticity was also evidenced by a much weaker avoidance of roads and steep terrain when dispersing than when selecting territories.

Synthesis and applications. We conclude that (i) the widespread consideration of all agricultural lands within a single (and usually regarded as unsuitable) class for the study and management of woodland or forest species is not supported and that (ii) the ability of woodland species to use fragmented and heterogeneous agricultural landscapes may have been underestimated, which may mislead conservation measures due to a priori assumptions that do not relate to the actual species responses to heterogeneous land covers. We suggest that Iberian lynx conservation and reintroduction may be successful in a wider set of more heterogeneous areas than previously thought, including mainly well‐conserved Mediterranean woodlands but also some extensive agricultural lands with permanent crops and natural vegetation remnants.
Novel strategies for molecular targeting to cancer
Authors: Liu Jun‐Ping 
Published: February 2016

SummaryThis editorial draws attention to the work published by CEPP in 2014–2015 on mechanisms underlying cancer drug resistance, invasion and metastasis. Genetic, genomic and immunological changes in platinum drug resistance and new drug candidates for cancer metastasis are highlighted. Attention is paid to the Epimedium plant drug icariin in glioblastoma invasion, the plant Avicennia marina bioactive compound Naphtho[1,2‐b]furan‐4,5‐dione in breast cancer metastasis, the PI3K inhibitor BEZ235 in colon cancer stem cells, the histone methyltransferase EZH1 inhibitor GSK343 in cervical cancer, and vitamin D3 in prostate cancer.
Disordered eating and the contradictions of neoliberal governance
Authors: Pirie Iain 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe last decade has seen the development of an important literature on the contradictions between neoliberal norms of corporal citizenship and the forms of consumption that market‐based food systems promote. This paper seeks to contribute to the literature by exploring the relationship between these contradictions and the increased prevalence of particular eating disorders (binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa). Within contemporary neoliberal food systems bingeing is increasingly normalised and consumption temporally disorganised. At the same time, neoliberal public health policy, and the wider ‘health’ entertainment media it legitimates, focuses on the promotion of ‘correct’ forms of consumer agency. Individuals who fail to manage consumption ‘appropriately’ are stigmatised. The growth of bulimia and BED can be related to the contradictory pressures that the food system and regime of corporal governance place on individuals. The paper also seeks to explore how the increased medicalisation and biomedicalisation of eating since the 1980s fits within a broader neoliberal governance strategy. By medicalising key social problems the neoliberal state depoliticises these issues. Medicalisation and biomedicalisation obscure the role of capitalism in generating these problems and encourage a focus on individual dysfunction.
Understanding the lived experience of women before and after fistula repair: a qualitative study in Kenya
Authors: Khisa W , Wakasiaka S , McGowan L , Campbell M , Lavender T 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveTo gain understanding of the first‐hand experience of women prior to and following repair of a vaginal fistula, to determine the most effective support mechanisms.DesignQualitative phenomenological study using a series of in‐depth semi‐structured interviews at two time points: prior to fistula repair and 6 months post‐surgery. Data were analysed thematically.SettingThree fistula clinics in three districts in Kenya.PopulationA purposive sample of 16 women suffering with vaginal fistula who were seeking fistula repair.MethodsThrity‐two semi‐structured interviews were conducted.ResultsThe two main themes represented the women's journeys from social isolation to social reintegration. Women felt euphoric following fistula repair, believing that a ‘miracle’ had occurred. However, the ‘post‐miracle phase’ demonstrated that the social and psychological impact of fistula leaves scars that are not easily healed, even when fistula repair is successful.ConclusionWomen's experiences of living with fistula have an impact beyond that which can be repaired solely by surgery. The findings from this study support the need for more active psychological assessment in the management of women with fistula, and the role of targeted psychological support in any package of care given in the post repair phase. The format of this support requires further study. Engagement by health professionals with the wider community could raise awareness of the causes of fistula, and provide support for significant others who may also be feeling vulnerable. It is likely that the collaborative efforts from health professionals and community members will provide the most effective support.Tweetable abstractFistula surgery alone is insufficient for women's physical, social and psychological recovery.
Treatment Effect Estimation Using Nonlinear Two‐Stage Instrumental Variable Estimators: Another Cautionary Note
Authors: Chapman Cole G. , Brooks John M. 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveTo examine the settings of simulation evidence supporting use of nonlinear two‐stage residual inclusion (2SRI) instrumental variable (IV) methods for estimating average treatment effects (ATE) using observational data and investigate potential bias of 2SRI across alternative scenarios of essential heterogeneity and uniqueness of marginal patients.Study DesignPotential bias of linear and nonlinear IV methods for ATE and local average treatment effects (LATE) is assessed using simulation models with a binary outcome and binary endogenous treatment across settings varying by the relationship between treatment effectiveness and treatment choice.Principal FindingsResults show that nonlinear 2SRI models produce estimates of ATE and LATE that are substantially biased when the relationships between treatment and outcome for marginal patients are unique from relationships for the full population. Bias of linear IV estimates for LATE was low across all scenarios.ConclusionsResearchers are increasingly opting for nonlinear 2SRI to estimate treatment effects in models with binary and otherwise inherently nonlinear dependent variables, believing that it produces generally unbiased and consistent estimates. This research shows that positive properties of nonlinear 2SRI rely on assumptions about the relationships between treatment effect heterogeneity and choice.
Immigration and the Property Market: Evidence from England and Wales
Authors: Braakmann Nils 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis article investigates the link between immigration and property markets in England and Wales. Evidence from fixed effects and shift‐share–based instrumental variable regressions suggests that an increase in regional immigration, depending on the specification, either decreases prices at the lower end of the distribution up to the median or leaves them unchanged and has (almost) no effect on mean property prices or prices above the median. The evidence suggests that these findings can be explained through an interaction between the markets for rented and owned properties as well as through changes in the usage of housing space.
Molecular characterization and expression analysis of target of rapamycin (TmTOR) in coleopteran insect Tenebrio molitor
Authors: Jo Yong Hun , Lee Jung Hee , Tindwa Hamisi , Patnaik Hongray Howerelia , Seong Jeong Hwan , Kim Soo Gon , Patnaik Bharat Bhusan , Oh Seunghan , Lee Yong Seok , Han Yeon Soo 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTarget of rapamycin (TOR) is an evolutionarily conserved serine–threonine kinase that affects various cellular functions including growth, development, ageing, immunity and autophagy. Inhibition in TOR activity stimulates autophagy, a self‐eating process that ensures survival by maintaining metabolic homeostasis and energy retention at both cellular and organismal levels. To understand the interplay between TOR and autophagy during development and immunity, we screened and identified a TOR homologue from the coleopteran insect, Tenebrio molitor (TmTOR). The full‐length cDNA of TmTOR contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 7,197 bp encoding a protein of 2,398 amino acids, and a 5′‐ and 3′‐ untranslated region (UTR) of 156 and 457 bp, respectively. Deduced amino acid sequence of TmTOR shows characteristic Huntington, EF3A, ATM, TOR (HEAT) repeat, focal adhesion kinase targeting (FAT), rapamycin‐binding, phosphatidylinositol 3‐/4‐kinase and FRAP, ATM and TRRAP C‐terminal (FATC) domains known to be conserved among TOR orthologs. TmTOR showed high sequence identity (92%) with Tribolium castaneum TOR (TcTOR) and the two were placed in the same cluster of the phylogenetic tree. TmTOR shows high mRNA expression level in the fat body and integument of T. molitor larvae. Significantly, a reduced expression of TmTOR mRNA during pupation correlated to an increase in the area of autolysosomes. Intriguingly, T. molitor larvae showed an increase in TmTOR transcripts upon a challenge with various bacterial pathogens. This suggests a negative role of TmTOR in the regulation of autophagy during development.
Bioactivity of a Rice Bran–Derived Peptide and Its Sensory Evaluation and Storage Stability in Orange Juice
Authors: Graves Amanda M. , Hettiarachchy Navam , Rayaprolu Srinivas , Li Ruiqi , Horax Ronny , Seo Han‐Seok 
Published: February 2016

AbstractA pentapeptide prepared from rice bran demonstrated growth inhibition on human lung, liver, breast, and colon cancer cell lines. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the human prostate cancer growth inhibition by the pentapeptide and its 6‐mo storage stability by incorporating spray‐dried orange juice, and determining sensory acceptability. The pentapeptide showed inhibition of human prostate cancer cells by 45% at 460 μg/mL concentration. When incorporated in spray‐dried orange juice, and reconstituted with water and tested, there was an approximately 10% degradation of the peptide at 620 μg/mL concentration under refrigerated conditions over a 6 mo storage period, whereas at ambient temperature the degradation was 30%. Larger degradation was observed when 240 or 460 μg/mL pentapeptide was used. Overall, consumer panelists liked sensory aspect of the reconstituted pentapeptide incorporated orange juice beverage. Also consumer panelists liked the color and mouthfeel attributes, their hedonic impression of flavor attribute was slightly low due to unpalatable bitter note caused by the presence of the peptide. Incorporation of the pentapeptide in spray‐dried orange juice has the potential to serve as a functional food ingredient that can offer health benefits to consumers. It is possible that the structural instability can be minimized by encapsulation.
Water Holding as Determinant for the Elastically Stored Energy in Protein‐Based Gels
Authors: Pouvreau Laurice , van Wijlen Emke , Klok Jan , Urbonaite Vaida , Munialo Claire D. , de Jongh Harmen H.J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTo evaluate the importance of the water holding capacity for the elastically stored energy of protein gels, a range of gels were created from proteins from different origin (plant: pea and soy proteins, and animal: whey, blood plasma, egg white proteins, and ovalbumin) varying in network morphology set by the protein concentration, pH, ionic strength, or the presence of specific ions.The results showed that the observed positive and linear relation between water holding (WH) and elastically stored energy (RE) is generic for globular protein gels studied. The slopes of this relation are comparable for all globular protein gels (except for soy protein gels) whereas the intercept is close to 0 for most of the systems except for ovalbumin and egg white gels. The slope and intercept obtained allows one to predict the impact of tuning WH, by gel morphology or network stiffness, on the mechanical deformation of the protein‐based gel. Addition of charged polysaccharides to a protein system leads to a deviation from the linear relation between WH and RE and this deviation coincides with a change in phase behavior.
The correlation between miR‐146a C/G polymorphism and UHRF1 gene expression level in gastric tumor
Authors: Soleimani Azam , Ghanadi Kourosh , Noormohammadi Zahra , Irani Shiva 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between the polymorphism of miR‐146a and The ubiquitin‐like with PHD and ring‐finger domains 1 (UHRF1) expression in patients with gastric cancer.MethodsMiR‐146a rs2910164 was genotyped in 130 patients with gastric cancer and 130 cancer‐free individuals using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. UHRF1 expression was analyzed in 22 gastric cancer tissues and their adjacent normal tissues using quantitative real‐time PCR.ResultsNo significant differences in genotype distributions of miR‐146a rs2910164 were found between cases and controls, but we observed that grade II tumors were more frequently detected in patients with CG/CC genotype compared to those with CC genotype. UHRF1 expressions in cancerous tissues were significantly higher than in noncancerous tissues (1.89‐fold). Patients with CC genotype showed a significant increase in UHRF1 expression in comparison to the carriers of GG/CG genotype. A higher UHRF1 expression was associated with cancer stage IV and grade III (P<0.05).ConclusionThe overexpression of UHRF1 was correlated with the stage and grade of gastric cancer and is associated with the genotype distribution of rs2910164.
Psychological factors influence the overlap syndrome in functional gastrointestinal disorders and their effect on quality of life among firefighters in South Korea
Authors: Jang Seung‐Ho , Ryu Han‐Seung , Choi Suck‐Chei , Lee Sang‐Yeol 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the predictor variables that could influence overlap syndrome in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) among firefighters in Korea.MethodsData collected from 1217 firefighters in Korea were reviewed. FGID were diagnosed according to the Rome III diagnostic criteria. Psychological factors were measured by self‐reported questionnaires. The scores for depression, anxiety, quality of life (QOL) and occupational job stress were analyzed. The correlation between psychological factors and QOL was analyzed and a stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed.ResultsFGID were observed in 461 (37.9%) participants. In those with FGID, functional heartburn (FH) was most common (32.2%), followed by functional dyspepsia (12.2%). Patients with overlap syndrome had the highest depression, anxiety and occupational stress score than those having non‐overlap syndrome and healthy controls, respectively (depression: F = 142.29, η2 = 0.190; anxiety: F = 88.33, η2 = 0.127; occupational stress: F = 43.68, η2 = 0.067; all P < 0.001). Healthy controls had the highest QOL score (F = 73.39, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.108). Pychological factors were significantly correlated with QOL in the overlap syndrome of FGID. After the stepwise selection, the final model explained 45.6% of predictable variance and contained four significant variables: depression, self‐esteem, occupational stress and anxiety.ConclusionsPsychological factors are associated with the overlap syndrome of FGID. Acknowledging this common comorbidity may facilitate the recognition and treatment of patients with FGID.