bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neonatal immune challenge followed by adult immune challenge induces epigenetic‐susceptibility to aggravated visceral hypersensitivity
Authors: Aguirre J. E. , Winston J. H. , Sarna S. K. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundAbdominal pain is one of the major symptoms of inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The inflammatory mediators released by colon inflammation are known to sensitize the afferent neurons, which is one of the contributors to abdominal pain. However, not all IBD patients have abdominal pain, and some patients report abdominal pain during remission, suggesting contributions of other pathological factors to abdominal pain in IBD. Epidemiological studies found early‐life gastrointestinal infections a risk factor for IBD symptoms and adult‐life gastrointestinal infections may trigger the onset of IBD. We investigated the hypothesis that neonatal colon immune challenge followed by an adult colon immune challenge upregulates spinal cord BDNF that aggravates visceral sensitivity over and above that induced by adult colon immune challenge alone.MethodsWe induced neonatal and adult colon immune challenges by intraluminal administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid to the rat colon.Key ResultsWe found that neonatal immune challenge triggers epigenetic programming that upregulates tyrosine hydroxylase in the locus ceruleus when these rats are subjected to an adult colon immune challenge. The upregulation of locus ceruleus tyrosine hydroxylase, upregulates norepinephrine in the cerebrospinal fluid that acts on adrenergic receptors to enhance pCREB binding to the cAMP response element, which recruits histone acetylene transferase (HAT) to the BDNF gene to enhance its transcription resulting in aggravated visceromotor response to colorectal distension. HAT and adrenergic receptor antagonists block the aggravation of visceral sensitivity.Conclusion & InferencesHAT and adrenergic receptor inhibitors may serve as alternates to opioids and NSAIDS in suppressing abdominal pain in IBD.
Simulation of commercial vs theoretically optimised contact lenses for presbyopia
Authors: Legras Richard , Rio David 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPurposeTo compare theoretically optimised bifocal contact lens optical designs to commercially available optical designs for presbyopia.MethodsRetinal images were simulated, using a numerical eye model, from ‐6 (i.e., near vision) to +2 D for each 0.25 D. Ten optical profiles were simulated. Four of them corresponded to commercial contact lenses (i.e., Acuvue Oasys for Presbyopia®, Air Optix Aqua Multifocal®, Purevision Multifocal® and Distance Biofinity Multifocal®). We also included six optimised profiles: (1) a combination of primary and secondary spherical aberration, (2) bifocal profiles with 2, 5 and 8 concentric zones, and (3) a combination of spherical aberrations with the 5 and 8 zones profiles. Twenty subjects scored the quality of vision of calculated images (i.e., three high‐contrast 0.40 logMAR letters) for each design and vergence with a five‐item continuous grading scale. They viewed these images through their best sphero‐cylindrical correction and a 3‐mm pupil to limit the impact of their aberrations. To quantify the ability of a bifocal optic to maintain a certain level of quality of vision, we calculated two criteria: (1) the area under the through‐focus quality of vision curve higher than 2 (i.e., limit between poor and fair quality of vision) normalised by the same area calculated on the naked eye's curve, and (2) the width of the curve at a level of 2 (i.e., depth‐of‐focus).ResultsCommercial contact lens profiles did not give an image quality and depth‐of‐focus as good as the theoretically optimised optical profiles. Based on these two criteria, the best bifocal profiles were those with 5 and 8 concentric zones. Important inter‐individual variations were observed for all profiles. We also observed that some subjects did not obtain any benefit with all the designs whereas others seemed to be satisfied whatever the optical profiles.ConclusionOur previously optimised designs with 5 and 8 zones gave the best benefit and depth‐of‐focus. As their image quality is better than commercially available designs, it would be interesting to prototype these designs and to test them in a clinical setting.
Eye retraction and rotation during Corvis ST ‘air puff’ intraocular pressure measurement and its quantitative analysis
Authors: Boszczyk Agnieszka , Kasprzak Henryk , Jóźwik Agnieszka 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to analyse the indentation and deformation of the corneal surface, as well as eye retraction, which occur during air puff intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement.MethodsA group of 10 subjects was examined using a non‐contact Corvis ST tonometer, which records image sequences of corneas deformed by an air puff. Obtained images were processed numerically in order to extract information about corneal deformation, indentation and eyeball retraction.ResultsThe time dependency of the apex deformation/eye retraction ratio and the curve of dependency between apex indentation and eye retraction take characteristic shapes for individual subjects. It was noticed that the eye globes tend to rotate towards the nose in response to the air blast during measurement. This means that the eye globe not only displaces but also rotates during retraction. Some new parameters describing the shape of this curve are introduced. Our data show that intraocular pressure and amplitude of corneal indentation are inversely related (r8 = −0.83, P = 0.0029), but the correlation between intraocular pressure and amplitude of eye retraction is low and not significant (r8 = −0.24, P = 0.51).ConclusionsThe curves describing corneal behaviour during air puff tonometry were determined and show that the eye globe rotates towards the nose during measurement. In addition, eye retraction amplitudes may be related to elastic or viscoelastic properties of deeper structures in the eye or behind the eye and this should be further investigated. Many of the proposed new parameters present comparable or even higher repeatability than the standard parameters provided by the Corvis ST.
Transmission of ideas about love: Filial piety, love attitudes, and romantic satisfaction
Authors: CHEN WEI‐WEN , WU CHIH‐WEN 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis study examined the relations between filial piety, attitudes about romantic relationships (love attitudes), and satisfaction in romantic relationships in the Chinese cultural context. The following research questions were investigated: How are adult children's filial piety beliefs connected to their love attitudes, and how do these contribute to their satisfaction in romantic relationships? A total of 412 college students in Taiwan who were currently involved or had been involved in romantic relationships participated in the study. Structural equation modeling showed that filial piety contributes to satisfaction in romantic relationships through the mediating effects of love attitudes. The findings advance our understanding of filial piety and its implications for young adults' romantic relationships.
The contemptuous separation: Facial expressions of emotion and breakups in young adulthood
Authors: HESHMATI SAEIDEH , SBARRA DAVID A. , MASON ASHLEY E. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe importance of studying specific and expressed emotions after a stressful life event is well known, yet few studies have moved beyond assessing self‐reported emotional responses to a romantic breakup. This study examined associations between computer‐recognized facial expressions and self‐reported breakup‐related distress among recently separated college‐aged young adults (N= 135; 37 men) on four visits across 9 weeks. Participants' facial expressions were coded using the Computer Expression Recognition Toolbox while participants spoke about their breakups. Of the seven expressed emotions studied, only Contempt showed a unique association with breakup‐related distress over time. At baseline, greater Contempt was associated with less breakup‐related distress; however, over time, greater Contempt was associated with greater breakup‐related distress.
Older migrants in exile: the past holding hands with the present – a qualitative study
Authors: Nielsen Dorthe , Minet Lisbeth , Zeraiq Lina , Rasmussen Dlama Nggida , Sodemann Morten 
Published: April 2017

The aim of this study was to explore the everyday life conditions experienced by older migrants and their reasons for specific age‐ and health‐related behaviour during the conduct of everyday life. The study comprised 16 qualitative interviews with migrants aged 56–96 years from Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq and Somalia. The three themes that emerged from the conditions, meanings and reasons analysis illustrated that the older persons were trapped in various ways –without language, in fragmented families and in an unfamiliar structure. We identified these themes as The importance of the life history, Lost in language barriers and Having a national sense of belonging. The main findings emphasise the vulnerability of older migrants in a resettlement country. With an unclear national identity and without the local language, older migrants struggle to develop a clear vision of their role in a minority community in a foreign country. Besides language skills and the need for interpreters, health professionals need to consider issues such as life history, traumas and national belonging when their usual approaches to managing health‐related topics have failed.
The Hadean–Archaean transition at 4 Ga: From magma trapping in the mantle to volcanic resurfacing of the Earth
Authors: Nédélec Anne , Monnereau Marc , Toplis Michael J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe Hadean–Archaean transition is poorly known because of the dearth of Hadean rocks. A new conceptual model is presented based on variations in mantle potential temperature (Tp) with time. The critical issue is the depth of melting with respect to a negatively buoyant magma sink between 410 and 330 km (14–11 GPa). Hadean plume magmatism begins below the magma sink, leading to generation of a refractory upper mantle reservoir and the minor production of boninite‐like magmas near the surface. With cooling, the onset of melting migrates above the magma sink, a situation likely occurring since 3.9 Ga and corresponding to Tps of ~1870°C or less. Therefore, a burst of mafic to ultramafic volcanism was produced at 3.9–3.8 Ga. This extensive volcanism may have triggered gravitational instabilities and favoured the recycling of the Hadean crust into the mantle. Results of this model are discussed in the light of existing isotopic data.
Optimizing autologous nonmobilized mononuclear cell collections for cellular therapy in pediatric patients with high‐risk leukemia
Authors: Even‐Or Ehud , Di Mola Maria , Ali Muhammad , Courtney Sarah , McDougall Elizabeth , Alexander Sarah , Schechter Tal , Whitlock James A. , Licht Christoph , Krueger Joerg 
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUNDThe manufacturing of cellular products for immunotherapy, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells, requires successful collection of mononuclear cells. Collections from children with high‐risk leukemia present a challenge, especially because the established COBE Spectra apheresis device is being replaced by the novel Spectra Optia device (Optia) in many institutions. Published experience for mononuclear cell collections in children with Optia is lacking. Our aim was to compare the two collection devices and describe modified settings on the Optia to optimize mononuclear cell collections.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSAs a quality initiative, we retrospectively collected and compared data from mononuclear cell collections on both devices. Collected data included patient's clinical characteristics; collection parameters, including precollection lymphocyte/CD3 counts, total blood volumes processed, runtimes, and side effects (including complete blood count and electrolyte changes); and product characteristics, including volumes and cell counts. Collection efficiencies and collection ratios were calculated.RESULTSTwenty‐six mononuclear cell collections were performed on 20 pediatric patients: 11 with COBE and 15 with Optia. Adequate mononuclear cell products were successfully collected with a single procedure from all patients except one, with mean calculated mononuclear cell collection efficiency that was significantly higher from Optia collections compared with COBE collections (57.9 ± 4.6% vs 40.3 ± 6.2%, respectively; p = 0.04). CD3‐positive yields were comparable on both machines (p = 0.34) with significantly smaller blood volumes processed on Optia. Collected products had larger volumes on Optia. No significant side effects attributed to the procedure were noted.CONCLUSIONMononuclear cell apheresis using the Optia device in children is more efficient and is as safe as that with the COBE device.
A Tick Antivirulence Protein Potentiates Antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Abraham Nabil M. , Liu Lei , Jutras Brandon L. , Murfin Kristen , Acar Ali , Yarovinsky Timur O. , Sutton Erica , Heisig Martin , Jacobs-Wagner Christine , Fikrig Erol 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

New strategies are needed to combat antibiotic resistance, especially against pathogens such as methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
. A tick antifreeze glycoprotein, IAFGP, possesses potent antibiofilm properties against a variety of clinical pathogens, including
S. aureus
. Synergy between IAFGP, or a peptide (P1) representative of a repeat region of the protein, with different antibiotics was assessed
in vitro
. Antibiotics that synergized with either IAFPG or P1 were further evaluated
in vivo
using vertebrate and invertebrate infection models. IAFGP readily enhanced the efficacy of antibiotics against
S. aureus
. Synergy with daptomycin, an antibiotic used to treat methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
, was observed
in vitro
and
in vivo
using
iafgp
-transgenic mice and flies. Furthermore, synergy with ciprofloxacin or gentamicin, antibiotics not generally used to treat
S. aureus
, was also perceived. The combined effect of the antibiotic and IAFGP was associated with improved permeation of the antibiotic into the cell. Our results highlight that synergy of IAFGP with antibiotics traditionally used to treat this pathogen, and enhancement of the potency of antibiotics not commonly used against this microbe, can provide novel alternative therapeutic strategies to combat bacterial infections.
IncX2 and IncX1-X2 Hybrid Plasmids Coexisting in a FosA6-Producing Escherichia coli Strain
Authors: Guo Qinglan , Su Jiachun , McElheny Christi Lee , Stoesser Nicole , Doi Yohei , Wang Minggui 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

IncX plasmids are receiving much attention as vehicles of carbapenem and colistin resistance genes, such as
bla
NDM
,
bla
KPC
, and
mcr-1
. Among them, IncX2 subgroup plasmids remain rare. Here, we characterized IncX2 and IncX1-X2 hybrid plasmids coexisting in a FosA6-producing
Escherichia coli
strain that were possibly generated as a consequence of recombination events between an R6K-like IncX2 plasmid and a pLN126_33-like IncX1 plasmid. Variable multidrug resistance mosaic regions were observed in these plasmids, indicating their potential to serve as flexible carriers of resistance genes. The diversity of IncX group plasmid backbones and accessory genes and the evolution of hybrid IncX plasmids pose a challenge in detecting and classifying them.
Role of
psl
Genes in Antibiotic Tolerance of Adherent Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Murakami Keiji , Ono Tsuneko , Viducic Darija , Somiya Yoko , Kariyama Reiko , Hori Kenji , Amoh Takashi , Hirota Katsuhiko , Kumon Hiromi , Parsek Matthew R. , Miyake Yoichiro 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Bacteria attached to a surface are generally more tolerant to antibiotics than their planktonic counterparts, even without the formation of a biofilm. The mechanism of antibiotic tolerance in biofilm communities is multifactorial, and the genetic background underlying this antibiotic tolerance has not yet been fully elucidated. Using transposon mutagenesis, we isolated a mutant with reduced tolerance to biapenem (relative to that of the wild type) from adherent cells. Sequencing analysis revealed a mutation in the
pslL
gene, which is part of the polysaccharide biosynthesis operon. The
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1Δ
pslBCD
mutant demonstrated a 100-fold-lower survival rate during the exposure of planktonic and biofilm cells to biapenem; a similar phenotype was observed in a mouse infection model and in clinical strains. Transcriptional analysis of adherent cells revealed increased expression of both
pslA
and
pelA
, which are directly regulated by bis-(3′,5′)-cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP). Inactivation of
wspF
resulted in significantly increased tolerance to biapenem due to increased production of c-di-GMP. The loss of
pslBCD
in the Δ
wspF
mutant background abolished the biapenem-tolerant phenotype of the Δ
wspF
mutant, underscoring the importance of
psl
in biapenem tolerance. Overexpression of PA2133, which can catalyze the degradation of c-di-GMP, led to a significant reduction in biapenem tolerance in adherent cells, indicating that c-di-GMP is essential in mediating the tolerance effect. The effect of
pslBCD
on antibiotic tolerance was evident, with 50- and 200-fold-lower survival in the presence of ofloxacin and tobramycin, respectively. We speculate that the
psl
genes, which are activated by surface adherence through elevated intracellular c-di-GMP levels, confer tolerance to antimicrobials.
Chemical Attenuation in the Development of a Whole-Organism Malaria Vaccine
Authors: Raja Amber I. , Stanisic Danielle I. , Good Michael F. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Malaria vaccine development has been dominated by the subunit approach; however, many subunit vaccine candidates have had limited efficacy in settings of malaria endemicity. As our search for an efficacious malaria vaccine continues, the development of a whole-organism vaccine is now receiving much scrutiny. One strategy currently being explored in the development of a whole-organism vaccine involves chemical attenuation of the malaria parasite.
In vivo
and
in vitro
chemical attenuation of both liver-stage and blood-stage
Plasmodium
parasites has been investigated. Here, we discuss both approaches of chemical attenuation in the development of a whole-organism vaccine against malaria.
Host and Bacterial Factors Control Susceptibility of Drosophila melanogaster to Coxiella burnetii Infection
Authors: Bastos Reginaldo G. , Howard Zachary P. , Hiroyasu Aoi , Goodman Alan G. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Coxiella burnetii
is the causative agent of Q fever, a zoonotic disease that threatens both human and animal health. Due to the paucity of experimental animal models, little is known about how host factors interface with bacterial components and affect pathogenesis. Here, we used
Drosophila melanogaster
, in conjunction with the biosafety level 2 (BSL2) Nine Mile phase II (NMII) clone 4 strain of
C. burnetii
, as a model to investigate host and bacterial components implicated in infection. We demonstrate that adult
Drosophila
flies are susceptible to
C. burnetii
NMII infection and that this bacterial strain, which activates the immune deficiency (IMD) pathway, is able to replicate and cause mortality in the animals. We show that in the absence of Eiger, the only known tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily homolog in
Drosophila
,
Coxiella
-infected flies exhibit reduced mortality from infection. We also demonstrate that the
Coxiella
type 4 secretion system (T4SS) is critical for the formation of the
Coxiella
-containing vacuole and establishment of infection in
Drosophila
. Altogether, our data reveal that the
Drosophila
TNF homolog Eiger and the
Coxiella
T4SS are implicated in the pathogenesis of
C. burnetii
in flies. The
Drosophila
/NMII model mimics relevant aspects of the infection in mammals, such as a critical role of host TNF and the bacterial T4SS in pathogenesis. Our work also demonstrates the usefulness of this BSL2 model to investigate both host and
Coxiella
components implicated in infection.
Genome-Wide Analysis of ResD, NsrR, and Fur Binding in Bacillus subtilis during Anaerobic Fermentative Growth by
In Vivo
Footprinting
Authors: Chumsakul Onuma , Anantsri Divya P. , Quirke Tai , Oshima Taku , Nakamura Kensuke , Ishikawa Shu , Nakano Michiko M. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Upon oxygen limitation, the
Bacillus subtilis
ResE sensor kinase and its cognate ResD response regulator play primary roles in the transcriptional activation of genes functioning in anaerobic respiration. The nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive NsrR repressor controls transcription to support nitrate respiration. In addition, the ferric uptake repressor (Fur) can modulate transcription under anaerobic conditions. However, whether these controls are direct or indirect has been investigated only in a gene-specific manner. To gain a genomic view of anaerobic gene regulation, we determined the genome-wide
in vivo
DNA binding of ResD, NsrR, and Fur transcription factors (TFs) using
in situ
DNase I footprinting combined with chromatin affinity precipitation sequencing (ChAP-seq; genome footprinting by high-throughput sequencing [GeF-seq]). A significant number of sites were targets of ResD and NsrR, and a majority of them were also bound by Fur. The binding of multiple TFs to overlapping targets affected each individual TF's binding, which led to combinatorial transcriptional control. ResD bound to both the promoters and the coding regions of genes under its positive control. Other genes showing enrichment of ResD at only the promoter regions are targets of direct ResD-dependent repression or antirepression. The results support previous findings of ResD as an RNA polymerase (RNAP)-binding protein and indicated that ResD can associate with the transcription elongation complex. The data set allowed us to reexamine consensus sequence motifs of Fur, ResD, and NsrR and uncovered evidence that multiple TGW (where W is A or T) sequences surrounded by an A- and T-rich sequence are often found at sites where all three TFs competitively bind.

IMPORTANCE
Bacteria encounter oxygen fluctuation in their natural environment as well as in host organisms. Hence, understanding how bacteria respond to oxygen limitation will impact environmental and human health. ResD, NsrR, and Fur control transcription under anaerobic conditions. This work using
in situ
DNase I footprinting uncovered the genome-wide binding profile of the three transcription factors (TFs). Binding of the TFs is often competitive or cooperative depending on the promoters and the presence of other TFs, indicating that transcriptional regulation by multiple TFs is much more complex than we originally thought. The results from this study provide a more complete picture of anaerobic gene regulation governed by ResD, NsrR, and Fur and contribute to our further understanding of anaerobic physiology.