bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil functional responses to ecological restoration treatments in frequent‐fire forests of the western United States: a systematic review
Authors: Sánchez Meador Andrew , Springer Judith D. , Huffman David W. , Bowker Matthew A. , Crouse Joseph E. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWe investigated general effects of ecological restoration treatments on soil function in frequent‐fire forests of the western United States using a systematic review methodology. We searched numerous publication databases for original research papers and used well‐defined criteria developed a priori to select papers for review. We used meta‐analysis and qualitative summaries to compare reported responses of macronutrients, nitrogen cycling, and soil respiration among tree thinning (thin), prescribed fire (burn), and thinning plus prescribed fire treatments (composite). Results of meta‐analysis showed that mean differences in macronutrients were consistently higher in composite treatments (standardized using controls) when compared to thin‐only and burn‐only treatments. Mean responses related to nitrogen cycling showed similar patterns, with significant increases detected in composite treatments for all nitrogen cycling variables (mineralization, ammonification, and nitrification) and insignificant responses for the majority of the burn‐only and thin‐only treatments. Mean difference in response for soil respiration following composite treatments showed increases as compared to the controls, and no significant differences were detected in response to burn‐ and thin‐only treatments. While soil function, nutrient cycling, and soil respiration differed among treatments, the most significant effects were observed for nitrogen and carbon responses, net mineralization and nitrification, ammonium availability, and soil respiration rate, which experienced the greatest increase following treatments that were both thinned and burned.
Assays for Infliximab Drug Levels and Antibodies: A Matter of Scales and Categories
Authors: Bader L. I. , Solberg S. M. , Kaada S. H. , Bolstad N. , Warren D. J. , Gavasso S. , Gjesdal C. G. , Vedeler C. A. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractImmunogenicity is a frequent cause of secondary non‐response to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. Drug level measurement and detection of antidrug antibodies have been shown to be cost effective and clinically relevant, and a large number of assays are available for these purposes. It is, however, difficult to compare assays and translate results into clinical meaningful information due to different methodological approaches and a lack of assay standardization. We have analysed infliximab drug levels and antidrug antibodies in 107 patient samples using enzyme‐linked immunoassays (ELISA), immunofluorometric assays (IFMA) and reporter‐gene assays (RGA). The RGA gave the lowest results for drug levels, whereas the IFMA detected the highest number of antidrug antibody positive sera. Applying individualized therapeutic ranges to each assay resulted in agreement among all three assays in 74% of samples for drug levels and 98% of samples for antidrug antibodies. We found that TNF inhibitor monitoring assays measure on different scales and that the agreement between quantitative results is limited. However, interassay differences can partially be overcome by assay‐individualized translations of quantities into categories, which also is necessary for a meaningful clinical application. Our data demonstrate that assays should not be used interchangeably and that direct comparison of quantitative drug levels obtained with different assays should be avoided.
Alternative method for the identification of the strain hardening behaviour along the rolling direction of coil
Authors: Denys Kristof , Coppieters Sam , Cooreman Steven , Debruyne Dimitri 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA new method is proposed for the measurement of the mechanical properties of X70 coil steel along the rolling direction using an inverse procedure and digital image correlation. To characterise the mechanical properties, a tensile test was performed on a curved API sample. To clamp the curved sample without inducing plastic deformation, additional shims were machined compensating the curved clamping region. Using this modified test setup, finite element model updating, and digital image correlation, the mechanical properties were identified without influencing the material behaviour and considering the entire wall thickness. These results were compared with a flattened API tensile specimen. A yield stress reduction was found compared with the identified yield stress on the curved specimen equipped with shims. Additionally, the influence of the residual deflection after flattening on the yield stress has been scrutinised.
Malakoplakia after kidney transplantation: Case report and literature review
Authors: Nieto‐Ríos John Fredy , Ramírez Isabel , Zuluaga‐Quintero Mónica , Serna‐Higuita Lina María , Gaviria‐Gil Federico , Velez‐Hoyos Alejandro 
Published: May 2017

AbstractMalakoplakia is a granulomatous disease associated with an infectious etiology, usually involving the urinary tract. It reveals itself as a recurrent urinary tract infection (r‐UTI), and in some cases, it is associated with impairment of renal function. Immunosuppression is one of its main associated factors, and it has been increasingly described in patients with solid organ transplantation (SOT), mainly kidney transplantation. Macroscopically, it can form masses and sometimes it may be confused with neoplasia, which is why histological findings are fundamental for the diagnosis. Here, we present a case of bladder malakoplakia, manifested by r‐UTI from Escherichia coli in a patient with renal transplantation, refractory to long‐term antibiotic treatment and reduction in immunosuppression, which resolved after surgical management. We also summarize the clinical characteristics of malakoplakia and compare them with previous reports in the literature on SOT.
Differential control of respiratory frequency and tidal volume during high‐intensity interval training
Authors: Nicolò Andrea , Marcora Samuele M. , Bazzucchi Ilenia , Sacchetti Massimo 
Published: May 2017

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
By manipulating recovery intensity and exercise duration during high‐intensity interval training (HIIT), we tested the hypothesis that fast inputs contribute more than metabolic stimuli to respiratory frequency (fR) regulation.

What is the main finding and its importance?
Respiratory frequency, but not tidal volume, responded rapidly and in proportion to changes in workload during HIIT, and was dissociated from some markers of metabolic stimuli in response to both experimental manipulations, suggesting that fast inputs contribute more than metabolic stimuli to fR regulation. Differentiating between fR and tidal volume may help to unravel the mechanisms underlying exercise hyperpnoea.

Given that respiratory frequency (fR) has been proposed as a good marker of physical effort, furthering the understanding of how fR is regulated during exercise is of great importance. We manipulated recovery intensity and exercise duration during high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) to test the hypothesis that fast inputs (including central command) contribute more than metabolic stimuli to fR regulation. Seven male cyclists performed an incremental test, a 10 and a 20 min continuous time trial (TT) as preliminary tests. Subsequently, recovery intensity and exercise duration were manipulated during HIIT (30 s work and 30 s active recovery) by performing four 10 min and one 20 min trial (recovery intensities of 85, 70, 55 and 30% of the 10 min TT mean workload; and 85% of the 20 min TT mean workload). The work intensity of the HIIT sessions was self‐paced by participants to achieve the best performance possible. When manipulating recovery intensity, fR, but not tidal volume (VT), showed a fast response to the alternation of the work and recovery phases, proportional to the extent of workload variations. No association between fR and gas exchange responses was observed. When manipulating exercise duration, fR and rating of perceived exertion were dissociated from VT, carbon dioxide output and oxygen uptake responses. Overall, the rating of perceived exertion was strongly correlated with fR (r = 0.87; P < 0.001) but not with VT. These findings may reveal a differential control of fR and VT during HIIT, with fast inputs appearing to contribute more than metabolic stimuli to fR regulation. Differentiating between fR and VT may help to unravel the mechanisms underlying exercise hyperpnoea.
Mitochondrially derived peptides as novel regulators of metabolism
Authors: Kim Su‐Jeong , Xiao Jialin , Wan Junxiang , Cohen Pinchas , Yen Kelvin 
Published: June 2017

AbstractMitochondrially derived peptides represent a new class of circulating signalling molecules. Humanin, the first member of this class, has been shown to have several metabolic effects such as reducing weight gain and visceral fat and increasing glucose‐stimulated insulin release. The discovery of several other new members, such as MOTS‐c and SHLP1–6, has further added to this group. These new peptides have also been found to affect metabolism with MOTS‐c potently decreasing weight gain in mice on a high‐fat diet. This review covers the basic biology of this class of peptides and discusses the relevance to organismal metabolism.
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Metformin Adjunctive Therapy Does Not Improve the Sterilizing Activity of the First-Line Antitubercular Regimen in Mice
Authors: Dutta Noton K. , Pinn Michael L. , Karakousis Petros C. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
Preliminary preclinical and observational studies suggest the potential utility of metformin as an adjunctive, host-directed agent for treatment of tuberculosis (TB). In this study, we sought to investigate the bactericidal and sterilizing activities of human-like exposures of metformin when given in combination with the first-line regimen against chronic tuberculosis in BALB/c mice. Mice receiving metformin adjunctive therapy had similar lung bacillary burdens with control mice during treatment, and the proportion of mice with microbiological relapse was similar between the two groups.
An Immunomodulatory Peptide Confers Protection in an Experimental Candidemia Murine Model
Authors: Freitas Camila G. , Lima Stella M. F. , Freire Mirna S. , Cantuária Ana Paula C. , Júnior Nelson G. O. , Santos Tatiane S. , Folha Jéssica S. , Ribeiro Suzana M. , Dias Simoni C. , Rezende Taia M. B. , Albuquerque Patrícia , Nicola André M. , de la Fuente-Núñez César , Hancock Robert E. W. , Franco Octávio L. , Felipe Maria Sueli S. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

Fungal
Candida
species are commensals present in the mammalian skin and mucous membranes.
Candida
spp. are capable of breaching the epithelial barrier of immunocompromised patients with neutrophil and cell-mediated immune dysfunctions and can also disseminate to multiple organs through the bloodstream. Here we examined the action of innate defense regulator 1018 (IDR-1018), a 12-amino-acid-residue peptide derived from bovine bactenecin (Bac2A): IDR-1018 showed weak antifungal and antibiofilm activity against a
Candida albicans
laboratory strain (ATCC 10231) and a clinical isolate (CI) (MICs of 32 and 64 μg · ml
−1
, respectively), while 8-fold lower concentrations led to dissolution of the fungal cells from preformed biofilms. IDR-1018 at 128 μg · ml
−1
was not hemolytic when tested against murine red blood cells and also has not shown a cytotoxic effect on murine monocyte RAW 264.7 and primary murine macrophage cells at the tested concentrations. IDR-1018 modulated the cytokine profile during challenge of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages with heat-killed
C. albicans
(HKCA) antigens by increasing monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels, while suppressing tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12 levels. Mice treated with IDR-1018 at 10 mg · kg
−1
of body weight had an increased survival rate in the candidemia model compared with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated mice, together with a diminished kidney fungal burden. Thus, IDR-1018 was able to protect against murine experimental candidemia and has the potential as an adjunctive therapy.
Inhaled Antibiotics for Gram-Negative Respiratory Infections
Authors: Wenzler Eric , Fraidenburg Dustin R. , Scardina Tonya , Danziger Larry H. 
Published: June 2017

SUMMARY

Gram-negative organisms comprise a large portion of the pathogens responsible for lower respiratory tract infections, especially those that are nosocomially acquired, and the rate of antibiotic resistance among these organisms continues to rise. Systemically administered antibiotics used to treat these infections often have poor penetration into the lung parenchyma and narrow therapeutic windows between efficacy and toxicity. The use of inhaled antibiotics allows for maximization of target site concentrations and optimization of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic indices while minimizing systemic exposure and toxicity. This review is a comprehensive discussion of formulation and drug delivery aspects,
in vitro
and microbiological considerations, pharmacokinetics, and clinical outcomes with inhaled antibiotics as they apply to disease states other than cystic fibrosis. In reviewing the literature surrounding the use of inhaled antibiotics, we also highlight the complexities related to this route of administration and the shortcomings in the available evidence. The lack of novel anti-Gram-negative antibiotics in the developmental pipeline will encourage the innovative use of our existing agents, and the inhaled route is one that deserves to be further studied and adopted in the clinical arena.
Bypassing the Restriction System To Improve Transformation of Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Costa Stephen K. , Donegan Niles P. , Corvaglia Anna-Rita , François Patrice , Cheung Ambrose L. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus epidermidis
is the leading cause of infections on indwelling medical devices worldwide. Intrinsic antibiotic resistance and vigorous biofilm production have rendered these infections difficult to treat and, in some cases, require the removal of the offending medical prosthesis. With the exception of two widely passaged isolates, RP62A and 1457, the pathogenesis of infections caused by clinical
S. epidermidis
strains is poorly understood due to the strong genetic barrier that precludes the efficient transformation of foreign DNA into clinical isolates. The difficulty in transforming clinical
S. epidermidis
isolates is primarily due to the type I and IV restriction-modification systems, which act as genetic barriers. Here, we show that efficient plasmid transformation of clinical
S. epidermidis
isolates from clonal complexes 2, 10, and 89 can be realized by employing a plasmid artificial modification (PAM) in
Escherichia coli
DC10B containing a Δ
dcm
mutation. This transformative technique should facilitate our ability to genetically modify clinical isolates of
S. epidermidis
and hence improve our understanding of their pathogenesis in human infections.

IMPORTANCE
Staphylococcus epidermidis
is a source of considerable morbidity worldwide. The underlying mechanisms contributing to the commensal and pathogenic lifestyles of
S. epidermidis
are poorly understood. Genetic manipulations of clinically relevant strains of
S. epidermidis
are largely prohibited due to the presence of a strong restriction barrier. With the introductions of the tools presented here, genetic manipulation of clinically relevant
S. epidermidis
isolates has now become possible, thus improving our understanding of
S. epidermidis
as a pathogen.
Mismatch Repair of DNA Replication Errors Contributes to Microevolution in the Pathogenic Fungus
Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Boyce Kylie J. , Wang Yina , Verma Surbhi , Shakya Viplendra P. S. , Xue Chaoyang , Idnurm Alexander 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

The ability to adapt to a changing environment provides a selective advantage to microorganisms. In the case of many pathogens, a large change in their environment occurs when they move from a natural setting to a setting within a human host and then during the course of disease development to various locations within that host. Two clinical isolates of the human fungal pathogen
Cryptococcus neoformans
were identified from a collection of environmental and clinical strains that exhibited a mutator phenotype, which is a phenotype which provides the ability to change rapidly due to the accumulation of DNA mutations at high frequency. Whole-genome analysis of these strains revealed mutations in
MSH2
of the mismatch repair pathway, and complementation confirmed that these mutations are responsible for the mutator phenotype. Comparison of mutation frequencies in deletion strains of eight mismatch repair pathway genes in
C. neoformans
showed that the loss of three of them,
MSH2
,
MLH1
, and
PMS1
, results in an increase in mutation rates. Increased mutation rates enable rapid microevolution to occur in these strains, generating phenotypic variations in traits associated with the ability to grow
in vivo
, in addition to allowing rapid generation of resistance to antifungal agents. Mutation of
PMS1
reduced virulence, whereas mutation of
MSH2
or
MLH1
had no effect on the level of virulence. These findings thus support the hypothesis that this pathogenic fungus can take advantage of a mutator phenotype in order to cause disease but that it can do so only in specific pathways that lead to a mutator trait without a significant tradeoff in fitness.

IMPORTANCE
Fungi account for a large number of infections that are extremely difficult to treat; superficial fungal infections affect approximately 1.7 billion (25%) of the general population worldwide, and systemic fungal diseases result in an unacceptably high mortality rate. How fungi adapt to their hosts is not fully understood. This research investigated the role of changes to DNA sequences in adaption to the host environment and the ability to cause disease in
Cryptococcus neoformans
, one of the world’s most common and most deadly fungal pathogens. The study results showed that microevolutionary rates are enhanced in either clinical isolates or in gene deletion strains with
msh2
mutations. This gene has similar functions in regulating the rapid emergence of antifungal drug resistance in a distant fungal relative of
C. neoformans
, the pathogen
Candida glabrata
. Thus, microevolution resulting from enhanced mutation rates may be a common contributor to fungal pathogenesis.
Global investment targets for malaria control and elimination between 2016 and 2030
Authors: Patouillard Edith , Griffin Jamie , Bhatt Samir , Ghani Azra , Cibulskis Richard 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundAccess to malaria control interventions falls short of universal health coverage. The Global Technical Strategy for malaria targets at least 90% reduction in case incidence and mortality rates, and elimination in 35 countries by 2030. The potential to reach these targets will be determined in part by investments in malaria. This study estimates the financing required for malaria control and elimination over the 2016–2030 period.MethodsA mathematical transmission model was used to explore the impact of increasing intervention coverage on burden and costs. The cost analysis took a public provider perspective covering all 97 malaria endemic countries and territories in 2015. All control interventions currently recommended by the WHO were considered. Cost data were sourced from procurement databases, the peer-reviewed literature, national malaria strategic plans, the WHO-CHOICE project and key informant interviews.ResultsAnnual investments of $6.4 billion (95% uncertainty interval (UI $4.5–$9.0 billion)) by 2020, $7.7 billion (95% UI $5.4–$10.9 billion) by 2025 and $8.7 billion (95% UI $6.0–$12.3 billion) by 2030 will be required to reach the targets set in the Global Technical Strategy. These are equivalent to annual investment per person at risk of malaria of US$3.90 by 2020, US$4.30 by 2025 and US$4.40 by 2030, compared with US$2.30 if interventions were sustained at current coverage levels. The 20 countries with the highest burden in 2015 will require 88% of the total investment.ConclusionsGiven the challenges in increasing domestic and international funding, the efficient use of currently available resources should be a priority.
Association between childcare educators’ practices and preschoolers’ physical activity and dietary intake: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Ward Stéphanie , Blanger Mathieu , Donovan Denise , Vatanparast Hassan , Muhajarine Nazeem , Engler-Stringer Rachel , Leis Anne , Humbert M Louise , Carrier Natalie 
Published: May 2017

IntroductionChildcare educators may be role models for healthy eating and physical activity (PA) behaviours among young children. This study aimed to identify which childcare educators’ practices are associated with preschoolers’ dietary intake and PA levels.MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis included 723 preschoolers from 50 randomly selected childcare centres in two Canadian provinces. All data were collected in the fall of 2013 and 2014 and analysed in the fall of 2015. PA was assessed using Actical accelerometers during childcare hours for 5 consecutive days. Children’s dietary intake was measured at lunch on 2 consecutive days using weighed plate waste and digital photography. Childcare educators’ nutrition practices (modelling, nutrition education, satiety recognition, verbal encouragement and not using food as rewards) and PA practices (informal and formal PA promotion) were assessed by direct observation over the course of 2 days, using the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care tool. Associations between educators’ practices and preschoolers’ PA and dietary intake were examined using multilevel linear regressions.ResultsOverall, modelling of healthy eating was positively associated with children’s intake of sugar (β=0.141, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.27), while calorie (β=−0.456, 95% CI −1.46 to –0.02) and fibre intake (β=−0.066, 95% CI −0.12 to –0.01) were negatively associated with providing nutrition education. Not using food as rewards was also negatively associated with fat intake (β=−0.144, 95% CI −0.52 to –0.002). None of the educators’ PA practices were associated with children’s participation in PA.ConclusionsModelling healthy eating, providing nutrition education and not using food as rewards are associated with children’s dietary intake at lunch in childcare centres, highlighting the role that educators play in shaping preschoolers’ eating behaviours. Although PA practices were not associated with children’s PA levels, there is a need to reduce sedentary time in childcare centres.