bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drooling is no early sign of dysphagia in Parkinson′s disease
Authors: Nienstedt J. C. , Buhmann C. , Bihler M. , Niessen A. , Plaetke R. , Gerloff C. , Pflug C. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundDysphagia is frequent and clinically highly relevant in Parkinson's disease (PD). For a rational dysphagia screening predictors are required. Previous investigations suggested that drooling correlates with dysphagia and may serve as its early sign. The aim of this study was to clarify the interrelationship of drooling and dysphagia.MethodsIn a controlled, cross‐sectional, observational study, a total of 119 Parkinson outpatients and 32 controls were examined clinically and by flexible‐endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). Drooling, dysphagia including retained pharyngeal secretions, and cognitive function were assessed by established evaluation scales.Key ResultsFifty percent of all PD patients but only 9% of controls had drooling (P < .001). Drooling and dysphagia were related in PD (P = .027) but the data do not support to view drooling as a hallmark symptom for critical dysphagia. Thirty‐nine percent of the patients with critical aspiration had no drooling. In contrast, 41% of the patients with severe drooling had no clinically relevant dysphagia in FEES. The oral, but not the pharyngeal secretion management was impaired in PD patients and there was no clear association between drooling and pharyngeal secretion accumulation. Cognitive impaired patients had significantly more drooling (P = .005).Conclusions & InferencesAlthough frequent in PD, drooling and dysphagia are only weakly related and drooling cannot be viewed as an early sign of dysphagia. Our data further suggest that the underlying cause of drooling is located in the voluntary oral phase, which is negatively influenced by cognitive deficits.
Demographically idiosyncratic responses to climate change and rapid Pleistocene diversification of the walnut genus Juglans (Juglandaceae) revealed by whole‐genome sequences
Authors: Bai Wei‐Ning , Yan Peng‐Cheng , Zhang Bo‐Wen , Woeste Keith E. , Lin Kui , Zhang Da‐Yong 
Published: November 2017

Summary

Whether species demography and diversification are driven primarily by extrinsic environmental changes such as climatic oscillations in the Quaternary or by intrinsic biological interactions like coevolution between antagonists is a matter of active debate. In fact, their relative importance can be assessed by tracking past population fluctuations over considerable time periods.

We applied the pairwise sequentially Markovian coalescent approach on the genomes of 11 temperate Juglans species to estimate trajectories of changes in effective population size (Ne) and used a Bayesian‐coalescent based approach that simultaneously considers multiple genomes (G‐PhoCS) to estimate divergence times between lineages.

Ne curves of all study species converged 1.0 million yr ago, probably reflecting the time when the walnut genus last shared a common ancestor. This estimate was confirmed by the G‐PhoCS estimates of divergence times. But all species did not react similarly to the dramatic climatic oscillations following early Pleistocene cooling, so the timing and amplitude of changes in Ne differed among species and even among conspecific lineages.

The population histories of temperate walnut species were not driven by extrinsic environmental changes alone, and a key role was probably played by species‐specific factors such as coevolutionary interactions with specialized pathogens.
Effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for preventing harmful weight gain among young adults from lower socioeconomic status and ethnically diverse backgrounds: a systematic review
Authors: Hayba N. , Partridge S. R. , Nour M. M. , Grech A. , Allman Farinelli M. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryThe incidence of overweight and obesity are increasing with each successive generation of young adults. Associated co‐morbidities will emerge at an earlier age unless weight gain is prevented. Evidence has demonstrated young adults (aged 18–35 years) from low socioeconomic and ethnically diverse backgrounds are at greater risk of overweight or obesity, yet it is unclear how to effectively intervene in this population. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions conducted in this population. Thirty studies reporting on lifestyle interventions for prevention of weight gain were identified from eight electronic databases searched. Six interventions included subgroup analyses to determine if ethnicity moderated weight change, and two included subgroup analyses to determine if socioeconomic status had an effect on change in weight. Five of these six studies were effective in preventing weight gain, and subgroup analyses showed no differences in effect by ethnicity. Of these five studies, two included a subgroup analysis that showed socioeconomic status to have no effect on weight outcome. Despite the promising results from these five lifestyle interventions utilizing online and mobile components to effectively reach and prevent weight gain in this priority population, the evidence base of high quality trials is limited.
Marker‐assisted backcrossing to develop foliar disease‐resistant genotypes in TMV 2 variety of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Kolekar Rohini M. , Sukruth Mallenahally , Shirasawa Kenta , Nadaf Hajisaheb L. , Motagi Babu N. , Lingaraju Sattigarahalli , Patil Prakashgouda V. , Bhat Ramesh S. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTMV 2 is a very popular peanut variety among the Indian farmers, but it is highly susceptible to fungal foliar diseases like late leaf spot (LLS) and rust. Marker‐assisted backcrossing (MABC) in TMV 2 using foliar disease‐resistant donor, GPBD 4 and the disease resistance‐linked markers (GM2009, GM2079, GM2301, GM1839 and IPAHM103) resulted in a large number of backcross populations and also straight cross populations. Foreground selection followed by field evaluation under disease epiphytotic conditions could identify a few superior genotypes. Two homozygous backcross lines TMG‐29 and TMG‐46 showed enhanced resistance to LLS and rust diseases (score of 3.00 for both) along with 71.0% and 62.7% increase in the pod yield per plot, respectively, over the check, TMV 2. These foliar disease‐resistant and productive lines can be released as commercial varieties or can be used as genetic resources in the peanut improvement.
The pathogenesis of hemodialysis vascular access failure and systemic therapies for its prevention: Optimism unfulfilled
Authors: Viecelli Andrea K , Mori Trevor A , Roy‐Chaudhury Prabir , Polkinghorne Kevan R , Hawley Carmel M , Johnson David W , Pascoe Elaine M , Irish Ashley B 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn patients receiving hemodialysis, the provision of safe and effective vascular access using an arteriovenous fistula or graft is regarded as a critical priority by patients and health professionals. Vascular access failure is associated with morbidity and mortality, such that strategies to prevent these outcomes are essential. Inadequate vascular remodeling and neointimal hyperplasia resulting in stenosis and frequently thrombosis are critical to the pathogenesis of access failure. Systemic medical therapies with pleiotropic effects including antiplatelet agents, omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish oils), statins, and inhibitors of the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) may reduce vascular access failure by promoting vascular access maturation and reducing stenosis and thrombosis through antiproliferative, antiaggregatory, anti‐inflammatory and vasodilatory effects. Despite such promise, the results of retrospective analyses and randomized controlled trials of these agents on arteriovenous fistula and graft outcomes have been mixed. This review describes the current understanding of the pathogenesis of arteriovenous fistula and graft failure, the biological effects of antiplatelet agents, fish oil supplementation, RAAS blockers and statins that may be beneficial in improving vascular access survival, results from clinical trials that have investigated the effect of these agents on arteriovenous fistula and graft outcomes, and it explores future therapeutic approaches combining these agents with novel treatment strategies.
Selective T‐cell depletion targeting CD45RA reduces viremia and enhances early T‐cell recovery compared with CD3‐targeted T‐cell depletion
Authors: Triplett Brandon M. , Muller Brad , Kang Guolian , Li Ying , Cross Shane J. , Moen Joseph , Cunningham Lea , Janssen William , Mamcarz Ewelina , Shook David R. , Srinivasan Ashok , Choi John , Hayden Randall T. , Leung Wing 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundT‐cell depletion (TCD) effectively reduces severe graft‐versus‐host disease in recipients of HLA‐mismatched allografts. However, TCD is associated with delayed immune recovery and increased infections. We hypothesized that specific depletion of CD45RA+ naive T cells, rather than broad depletion of CD3+ T cells, can preserve memory‐immunity in the allografts and confer protection against important viral infections in the early post‐transplant period.MethodsSixty‐seven patients who received TCD haploidentical donor transplantation for hematologic malignancy on 3 consecutive trials were analyzed.ResultsPatients receiving CD45RA‐depleted donor grafts had 2000‐fold more donor T cells infused, significantly higher T‐cell counts at Day +30 post transplant (550/μL vs 10/μL; P < .001), and higher T‐cell diversity by Vbeta spectratyping at Day +100 (P < .001). Importantly, these recipients experienced a significant reduction in both the incidence (P = .002) and duration (P = .02) of any viremia (cytomegalovirus, Epstein‐Barr virus, or adenovirus) in the first 6 months post transplant. Specifically, recipients of CD3‐depleted grafts were more likely to experience adenovirus viremia (27% vs 4%, P = .02).ConclusionCD45RA‐depletion provided a large number of donor memory T cells to the recipients and was associated with enhanced early T‐cell recovery and protection against viremia.
Genome sequences of Chlorella sorokiniana UTEX 1602 and Micractinium conductrix SAG 241.80: implications to maltose excretion by a green alga
Authors: Arriola Matthew B. , Velmurugan Natarajan , Zhang Ying , Plunkett Mary H. , Hondzo Hanna , Barney Brett M. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryGreen algae represent a key segment of the global species capable of photoautotrophic‐driven biological carbon fixation. Algae partition fixed‐carbon into chemical compounds required for biomass, while diverting excess carbon into internal storage compounds such as starch and lipids or, in certain cases, into targeted extracellular compounds. Two green algae were selected to probe for critical components associated with sugar production and release in a model alga. Chlorella sorokiniana UTEX 1602 – which does not release significant quantities of sugars to the extracellular space – was selected as a control to compare with the maltose‐releasing Micractinium conductrix SAG 241.80 – which was originally isolated from an endosymbiotic association with the ciliate Paramecium bursaria. Both strains were subjected to three sequencing approaches to assemble their genomes and annotate their genes. This analysis was further complemented with transcriptional studies during maltose release by M. conductrix SAG 241.80 versus conditions where sugar release is minimal. The annotation revealed that both strains contain homologs for the key components of a putative pathway leading to cytosolic maltose accumulation, while transcriptional studies found few changes in mRNA levels for the genes associated with these established intracellular sugar pathways. A further analysis of potential sugar transporters found multiple homologs for SWEETs and tonoplast sugar transporters. The analysis of transcriptional differences revealed a lesser and more measured global response for M. conductrix SAG 241.80 versus C. sorokiniana UTEX 1602 during conditions resulting in sugar release, providing a catalog of genes that might play a role in extracellular sugar transport.
Comparative epigenomics reveals evolution of duplicated genes in potato and tomato
Authors: Wang Lin , Xie Jiahui , Hu Jiantuan , Lan Binyuan , You Chenjiang , Li Fenglan , Wang Zhengjia , Wang Haifeng 
Published: November 2017

SummaryThe evolution of duplicated genes after polyploidization has been the subject of many evolutionary biology studies. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) are the first two sequenced genomes of asterids, and share a common polyploidization event. However, the epigenetic role of DNA methylation on the evolution of duplicated genes derived from polyploidization is not fully understood. Here, we explore the role of the DNA methylation in the evolution of duplicated genes in potato and tomato. The overall levels of DNA methylation are different, although patterns of DNA methylation are similar in potato and tomato. Different types of duplicated genes can display different methylation patterns in potato and tomato. In addition, we found that differences in the methylation levels between duplicated genes were associated with gene expression divergence. In particular, for the majority of duplicated gene pairs, one copy is always hyper‐ or hypo‐methylated compared with the other copy across different tomato fruit ripening stages, and these genes are enriched for specific function related to transcription factor (TF) activity. Furthermore, transcription of hundreds of duplicated TFs was shown to be regulated by DNA methylation during fruit ripening stages in tomato, some of which are well‐known fruit ripening TFs. Taken together, our results support the notion that DNA methylation may facilitate divergent evolution of duplicated genes and play roles in important biological processes such as tomato fruit ripening.
Hyperexcitability of the network contributes to synchronization processes in the human epileptic neocortex
Authors: Tóth Kinga , Hofer Katharina T. , Kandrács Ágnes , Entz László , Bagó Attila , Erőss Loránd , Jordán Zsófia , Nagy Gábor , Sólyom András , Fabó Dániel , Ulbert István , Wittner Lucia 
Published: November 2017

Key points
Hyperexcitability and hypersynchrony of neuronal networks are thought to be linked to the generation of epileptic activity in both humans and animal models.
Here we show that human epileptic postoperative neocortical tissue is able to generate two different types of synchronies in vitro.
Epileptiform bursts occurred only in slices derived from epileptic patients and were hypersynchronous events characterized by high levels of excitability.
Spontaneous population activity emerged in both epileptic and non‐epileptic tissue, with a significantly lower degree of excitability and synchrony, and could not be linked to epilepsy.
These results help us to understand better the role of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal circuits in the generation of population events, and to define the subtle border between physiological and pathological synchronies.
AbstractInterictal activity is a hallmark of epilepsy diagnostics and is linked to neuronal hypersynchrony. Little is known about perturbations in human epileptic neocortical microcircuits, and their role in generating pathological synchronies. To explore hyperexcitability of the human epileptic network, and its contribution to convulsive activity, we investigated an in vitro model of synchronous burst activity spontaneously occurring in postoperative tissue slices derived from patients with or without preoperative clinical and electrographic manifestations of epileptic activity. Human neocortical slices generated two types of synchronies. Interictal‐like discharges (classified as epileptiform events) emerged only in epileptic samples, and were hypersynchronous bursts characterized by considerably elevated levels of excitation. Synchronous population activity was initiated in both epileptic and non‐epileptic tissue, with a significantly lower degree of excitability and synchrony, and could not be linked to epilepsy. However, in pharmacoresistant epileptic tissue, a higher percentage of slices exhibited population activity, with higher local field potential gradient amplitudes. More intracellularly recorded neurons received depolarizing synaptic potentials, discharging more reliably during the events. Light and electron microscopic examinations showed slightly lower neuron densities and higher densities of excitatory synapses in the human epileptic neocortex. Our data suggest that human neocortical microcircuits retain their functionality and plasticity in vitro, and can generate two significantly different synchronies. We propose that population bursts might not be pathological events while interictal‐like discharges may reflect the epileptogenicity of the human cortex. Our results show that hyperexcitability characterizes the human epileptic neocortical network, and that it is closely related to the emergence of synchronies.
Safety and Pharmacokinetics of the Aminomethylcycline Antibiotic Omadacycline Administered to Healthy Subjects in Oral Multiple-Dose Regimens
Authors: Bundrant Lu Ann , Tzanis Evan , Garrity-Ryan Lynne , Bai Stephen , Chitra Surya , Manley Amy , Villano Stephen 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Omadacycline, a first-in-class aminomethylcycline antibiotic, is related to tetracyclines but is structurally modified to circumvent mechanisms of resistance to tetracyclines. Omadacycline demonstrates potent activity against a broad range of pathogens, including drug-resistant strains, and is in late-stage development for treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. Previous studies support an intravenous-to-oral transition regimen with 300-mg once-daily oral dosing. This phase 1 study investigated the pharmacokinetics and safety/tolerability of multiple oral omadacycline doses higher than 300 mg. Using a 3-period crossover design, healthy adults were randomized to receive oral omadacycline at 300, 450, and 600 mg in variable sequence (
n
= 26) or placebo (
n
= 7) once daily for 5 consecutive days per period. In plasma, omadacycline maximum concentration and total exposure increased with increasing dose but were less than dose proportional. The kinetics of omadacycline plasma accumulation were similar between dose levels; exposure on day 5 was ∼50% higher than that on day 1. Omadacycline plasma concentrations on day 1 of 450-mg dosing were similar to those on day 5 of 300-mg dosing. All doses were generally well tolerated, but the 600-mg dose was associated with more gastrointestinal adverse events.
Genetic Plasticity and Ethylmalonyl Coenzyme A Pathway during Acetate Assimilation in Rhodospirillum rubrum S1H under Photoheterotrophic Conditions
Authors: De Meur Quentin , Deutschbauer Adam , Koch Matthias , Wattiez Ruddy , Leroy Baptiste 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Purple nonsulfur bacteria represent a promising resource for biotechnology because of their great metabolic versatility.
Rhodospirillum rubrum
has been widely studied regarding its metabolism of volatile fatty acid, mainly acetate. As the glyoxylate shunt is unavailable in
Rs. rubrum
, the citramalate cycle pathway and the ethylmalonyl-coenzyme A (CoA) pathway are proposed as alternative anaplerotic pathways for acetate assimilation. However, despite years of debate, neither has been confirmed to be essential. Here, using functional genomics, we demonstrate that the ethylmalonyl-CoA pathway is required for acetate photoassimilation. Moreover, an unexpected reversible long-term adaptation is observed, leading to a drastic decrease in the lag phase characterizing the growth of
Rs. rubrum
in the presence of acetate. Using proteomic and genomic analyses, we present evidence that the adaptation phenomenon is associated with reversible amplification and overexpression of a 60-kb genome fragment containing key enzymes of the ethylmalonyl-CoA pathway. Our observations suggest that a genome duplication and amplification phenomenon is not only involved in adaptation to acute stress but can also be important for basic carbon metabolism and the redox balance.

IMPORTANCE
Purple nonsulfur bacteria represent a major group of anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria that emerged as a promising resource for biotechnology because of their great metabolic versatility and ability to grow under various conditions.
Rhodospirillum rubrum
S1H has notably been selected by the European Space Agency to colonize its life support system, called MELiSSA, due to its capacity to perform photoheterotrophic assimilation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), mainly acetate. VFAs are valuable carbon sources for many applications, combining bioremediation of contaminated environments with the generation of added-value products. Acetate is one of the major volatile fatty acids generated as a by-product of fermentation processes. In
Rs. rubrum
, purple nonsulfur bacteria, the assimilation of acetate is still under debate since two different pathways have been proposed. Here, we clearly demonstrate that the ethylmalonyl-CoA pathway is the major anaplerotic pathway for acetate assimilation in this strain. Interestingly, we further observed that gene duplication and amplification, which represent a well-known phenomenon in antibiotic resistance, also play a regulatory function in carbon metabolism and redox homeostasis.
In Vitro
Enzymatic Depolymerization of Lignin with Release of Syringyl, Guaiacyl, and Tricin Units
Authors: Gall Daniel L. , Kontur Wayne S. , Lan Wu , Kim Hoon , Li Yanding , Ralph John , Donohue Timothy J. , Noguera Daniel R. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

New environmentally sound technologies are needed to derive valuable compounds from renewable resources. Lignin, an abundant polymer in terrestrial plants comprised predominantly of guaiacyl and syringyl monoaromatic phenylpropanoid units, is a potential natural source of aromatic compounds. In addition, the plant secondary metabolite tricin is a recently discovered and moderately abundant flavonoid in grasses. The most prevalent interunit linkage between guaiacyl, syringyl, and tricin units is the β-ether linkage. Previous studies have shown that bacterial β-etherase pathway enzymes catalyze glutathione-dependent cleavage of β-ether bonds in dimeric β-ether lignin model compounds. To date, however, it remains unclear whether the known β-etherase enzymes are active on lignin polymers. Here we report on enzymes that catalyze β-ether cleavage from bona fide lignin, under conditions that recycle the cosubstrates NAD
+
and glutathione. Guaiacyl, syringyl, and tricin derivatives were identified as reaction products when different model compounds or lignin fractions were used as substrates. These results demonstrate an
in vitro
enzymatic system that can recycle cosubstrates while releasing aromatic monomers from model compounds as well as natural and engineered lignin oligomers. These findings can improve the ability to produce valuable aromatic compounds from a renewable resource like lignin.

IMPORTANCE
Many bacteria are predicted to contain enzymes that could convert renewable carbon sources into substitutes for compounds that are derived from petroleum. The β-etherase pathway present in sphingomonad bacteria could cleave the abundant β–O–4-aryl ether bonds in plant lignin, releasing a biobased source of aromatic compounds for the chemical industry. However, the activity of these enzymes on the complex aromatic oligomers found in plant lignin is unknown. Here we demonstrate biodegradation of lignin polymers using a minimal set of β-etherase pathway enzymes, the ability to recycle needed cofactors (glutathione and NAD
+
)
in vitro
, and the release of guaiacyl, syringyl, and tricin as depolymerized products from lignin. These observations provide critical evidence for the use and future optimization of these bacterial β-etherase pathway enzymes for industrial-level biotechnological applications designed to derive high-value monomeric aromatic compounds from lignin.