bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occult hepatitis B virus infection in immunized children born to carrier mothers
Authors: Yokoyama Koji , Kumagai Hideki , Takahashi Masaharu , Nagashima Shigeo , Okamoto Hiroaki , Yamagata Takanori 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) in children due to mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) despite immunoprophylaxis remains controversial and is still unknown in Japan. The aim of this study was to determine the OBI prevalence in such children in Japan and identify the genomic mutations that might be associated with the pathogenesis of OBI in children.MethodsThe data on 158 children born to HBV carrier mothers and who received complete passive–active immunoprophylaxis after birth in 2002–2014 were reviewed. HBV markers were detected using commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. HBV‐DNA was detected using real‐time and nested polymerase chain reaction. Complete genomic sequences were determined.ResultsAmong the 158 children studied, three had HBV MTCT: two had OBI, and one had resolved HBV infection (RBI). The prevalence of OBI and RBI was estimated to be 1.3% and 0.6%, respectively. The HBV genomes of the two OBI children were wild type and 100% identical to those of their mothers. Of these two children, one received repeated hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and developed overt HBV infection. Her HBV genome had a G145R mutation in the S gene that might have been induced by HBIG treatment. The RBI child was persistently positive for antibody to HBV core antigen (10–12 signal/cut‐off ratio; S/CO).ConclusionsA low prevalence of OBI was observed in children who received immunoprophylaxis for preventing MTCT in Japan. The development of overt HBV infection in infants with OBI indicates the necessity of close and long‐term monitoring.
Multilocus PCR assay reveals high diversity of vegetative compatibility types in populations of Cryphonectria parasitica in Croatia
Authors: Mlinarec J. , Ježić M. , Ćosić J. , Ćurković‐Perica M. 
Published: June 2017

The ascomycete fungus Cryphonectria parasitica, causal agent of chestnut blight, is probably one of the best known invasive fungal pathogens in forests of Europe and North America. Mycovirus that reduces virulence of C. parasitica can be used as a biocontrol agent of the chestnut blight. However, anastomosis‐mediated virus transmission is limited by a vegetative (in)compatibility (vc) system involving at least six known diallelic vic genetic loci. This study looked at vegetative compatibility (vc) diversity in two populations of C. parasitica in Croatia. For that purpose, a PCR assay was validated and implemented using already known/published and newly designed primers for amplification of six known vic loci. The vc genotypes determined by PCR for 158 C. parasitica isolates investigated in this study were in complete agreement with the vc genotypes determined by pairwise co‐culturing of the same isolates, revealing the specificity and accuracy of the PCR‐based molecular vic genotyping assay. Twenty‐six unique vc genotypes were found among 158 isolates, and 19 vc types per population, which makes Croatian C. parasitica populations among the most diverse in Europe regarding the number of vc types and genetic diversity. Low values of multilocus linkage disequilibrium suggest sexual reproduction as a major contributor to high C. parasitica genetic diversity in studied populations.
The past decade in bench research into pulmonary infectious diseases: What do clinicians need to know?
Authors: Finch Simon , Keir Holly R. , Dicker Alison J. , Chalmers James D. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT
Respiratory infections are primarily treated with antibiotics, drugs that are mostly inexpensive and have been widely available since the 1940s and 1950s. Nevertheless, despite antibiotics, the burden of disease in pneumonia, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, COPD and rare respiratory infections remains exceptionally high. There is an urgent need for translational studies to develop new treatments or new biomarkers to improve outcomes in these conditions. The ‘translational gaps’ between bench science and clinical practice are particularly challenging in respiratory infections. This is partly due to the poor representativeness of animal models of infection to human disease, and a long‐term lack of investment into pulmonary infection research.The revolution in genomics and other omics technologies, however, is beginning to unlock clinically important information about the host response to infection, the behaviour of bacterial communities and the development of new antibiotics. It is not possible to review the extensive progress made in the last decade into the pathophysiology of the different respiratory infections and so here, we focus on major technologies that are now changing respiratory infection research, specifically bacterial whole‐genome sequencing, the microbiota, personalized medicine with omics technologies, new antibiotic development and host inflammatory cell biology.
Relationship between Achilles tendon length and running performance in well‐trained male endurance runners
Authors: Ueno Hiromasa , Suga Tadashi , Takao Kenji , Tanaka Takahiro , Misaki Jun , Miyake Yuto , Nagano Akinori , Isaka Tadao 
Published: June 2017

This study aimed to determine the relationship between Achilles tendon (AT) length and running performance, including running economy, in well‐trained endurance runners. We also examined the reasonable portion of the AT related to running performance among AT lengths measured in three different portions. The AT lengths at three portions and cross‐sectional area (CSA) of 30 endurance runners were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Each AT length was calculated as the distance from the calcaneal tuberosity to the muscle‐tendon junction of the soleus, gastrocnemius medialis (GMAT), and gastrocnemius lateralis, respectively. These AT lengths were normalized with shank length. The AT CSA was calculated as the average of 10, 20, and 30 mm above the distal insertion of the AT and normalized with body mass. Running economy was evaluated by measuring energy cost during three 4‐minutes submaximal treadmill running trials at 14, 16, and 18 km/h, respectively. Among three AT lengths, only a GMAT correlated significantly with personal best 5000‐m race time (r=−.376, P=.046). Furthermore, GMAT correlated significantly with energy cost during submaximal treadmill running trials at 14 km/h and 18 km/h (r=−.446 and −.429, respectively, P<.05 for both), and a trend toward such significance was observed at 16 km/h (r=−.360, P=.050). In contrast, there was no correlation between AT CSA and running performance. These findings suggest that longer AT, especially GMAT, may be advantageous to achieve superior running performance, with better running economy, in endurance runners.
If I do not have enough water, then how could I bring additional water for toilet cleaning?! Addressing water scarcity to promote hygienic use of shared toilets in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Saxton Ronald E. , Yeasmin Farzana , Alam Mahbub‐Ul , Al‐Masud Abdullah , Dutta Notan Chandra , Yeasmin Dalia , Luby Stephen P. , Unicomb Leanne , Winch Peter J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractObjectivesProvision of toilets is necessary but not sufficient to impact health as poor maintenance may impair toilet function and discourage their consistent use. Water in urban slums is both scarce and a prerequisite for toilet maintenance behaviours. We describe the development of behaviour change communications and selection of low‐cost water storage hardware to facilitate adequate flushing among users of shared toilets.MethodsWe conducted nine focus group discussions and six ranking exercises with adult users of shared toilets (50 females, 35 males), then designed and implemented three pilot interventions to facilitate regular flushing and improve hygienic conditions of shared toilets. We conducted follow‐up assessments 1 and 2 months post‐pilot including nine in‐depth interviews and three focus group discussions with adult residents (23 females, 15 males) and three landlords in the pilot communities.ResultsPeriodic water scarcity was common in the study communities. Residents felt embarrassed to carry water for flushing. Reserving water adjacent to the shared toilet enabled slum residents to flush regularly. Signs depicting rules for toilet use empowered residents and landlords to communicate these expectations for flushing to transient tenants. Residents in the pilot reported improvements in cleanliness and reduced odour inside toilet cubicles.ConclusionsOur pilot demonstrates the potential efficacy of low‐cost water storage and behaviour change communications to improve maintenance of and user satisfaction with shared toilets in urban slum settings.
Effects of orbital shaking on settling velocity of mineral particles in aqueous solutions using split‐plot designs
Authors: Hosseini‐Nasab Marzieh 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to experimentally investigate and statistically test changes in the settling velocity of particles falling in an aqueous solution due to an orbital shaking of the container. A series of settling experiments were conducted on coal samples under different combinations of shaking speed and initial concentration of the particles. First, a generalized version of the factorial design (a split‐plot design) was utilized to obtain the acquired data. Then, an appropriate statistical model was fitted to experimental data using settling velocity as a response while shaking speed and initial coal concentration were defined as factors. Graphic patterns confirmed our hypotheses that settling velocity is affected by the shaking speed, initial coal concentration and the interaction of these two factors. Results of the analysis indicated that the main effects of both initial coal concentration (F‐statistic = 775.75) and shaking speed (F‐statistic = 11.96) on the settling velocity are strongly significant (both with a P‐value near zero). Moreover, a strong interaction of the effects of these factors on the response variable was also observed (F‐statistic is 10.57 with a P‐value of near zero). Based on the results, combination of 4% coal concentration and 50 rpm shaking speed resulted in the highest settling velocity of 1.21 cm/s. In contract, a combination of 10% coal concentration and 100 rpm shaking speed led to a settling velocity of only 0.55 cm/s. Findings of this study may have invaluable benefits to the mineral and water treatment industries where design and construction of thickeners and sedimentation tanks equipped with orbital shakers can significantly accelerate the sedimentation of mineral particles as well as water contaminants.
A comparison of Newton–Okounkov polytopes of Schubert varieties
Authors: Fujita Naoki , Oya Hironori 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA Newton–Okounkov body is a convex body constructed from a polarized variety with a valuation on its function field. Kaveh (respectively, the first author and Naito) proved that the Newton–Okounkov body of a Schubert variety associated with a specific valuation is identical to the Littelmann string polytope (respectively, the Nakashima–Zelevinsky polyhedral realization) of a Demazure crystal. These specific valuations are defined algebraically to be the highest term valuations with respect to certain local coordinate systems on a Bott–Samelson variety. Another class of valuations, which is geometrically natural, arises from some sequence of subvarieties of a polarized variety. In this paper, we show that the highest term valuation used by Kaveh (respectively, by the first author and Naito) and the valuation coming from a sequence of specific subvarieties of the Schubert variety are identical on a perfect basis with some positivity properties. The existence of such a perfect basis follows from a categorification of the negative part of the quantized enveloping algebra. As a corollary, we prove that the associated Newton–Okounkov bodies coincide through an explicit affine transformation.
Is There an Optimal Ischemic-Preconditioning Dose to Improve Cycling Performance?
Authors: Cocking Scott , Wilson Mathew G. , Nichols David , Cable N. Timothy , Green Daniel J. , Thijssen Dick H. J. , Jones Helen 
Published: June 2017

Introduction: Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) may enhance endurance performance. No previous study has directly compared distinct IPC protocols for optimal benefit. Purpose: To determine whether a specific IPC protocol (ie, number of cycles, amount of muscle tissue, and local vs remote occlusion) elicits greater performance outcomes. Methods: Twelve cyclists performed 5 different IPC protocols 30 min before a blinded 375-kJ cycling time trial (TT) in a laboratory. Responses to traditional IPC (4 × 5-min legs) were compared with those to 8 × 5-min legs and sham (dose cycles), 4 × 5-min unilateral legs (dose tissue), and 4 × 5-min arms (remote). Rating of perceived exertion and blood lactate were recorded at each 25% TT completion. Power (W), heart rate (beats/min), and oxygen uptake () (mL · kg−1 · min−1) were measured continuously throughout TTs. Magnitude-based-inference statistics were employed to compare variable differences to the minimal practically important difference. Results: Traditional IPC was associated with a 17-s (0, 34) faster TT time than sham. Applying more dose cycles (8 × 5 min) had no impact on performance. Traditional IPC was associated with likely trivial higher blood lactate and possibly beneficial lower responses vs sham. Unilateral IPC was associated with 18-s (−11, 48) slower performance than bilateral (dose tissue). TT times after remote and local IPC were not different (0 [−16, 16] s). Conclusion: The traditional 4 × 5-min (local or remote) IPC stimulus resulted in the fastest TT time compared with sham; there was no benefit of applying a greater number of cycles or employing unilateral IPC.
A Scientific Approach to Improve Physiological Capacity of an Elite Cyclist
Authors: Rønnestad Bent R. , Hansen Joar 
Published: June 2017

Previous studies in endurance athletes have indicated that block periodization (BP) can be a good alternative to the more traditional organization of training despite the fact that the total volume and intensity of the training are similar. However, these studies usually last only 4–12 wk. The aim of the present single-case study was to investigate the consequences of 58 wk with systematic BP of low-intensity training (LIT), moderate-intensity training (MIT), and high-intensity interval training (HIT) including incorporation of heavy strength training. It is important that a maintenance stimulus on the nonprioritized training modalities was added in the different training blocks. Performance-related variables were tested regularly during the intervention. The studied cyclist started with a maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of 73.8 mL · kg−1 · min−1, peak aerobic power (Wmax) of 6.14 W/kg, and a power output at 3 mmol/L blood lactate concentration (Power3la-) of 3.6 W/kg. Total training volume during the 58-wk intervention was 678 h, of which 452 h were LIT (67%), 124 h were MIT (18%), 69 h were HIT (10%), and 34 h were heavy strength training (5%). The weekly training volume had a large range depending on the focus of the training block. After the intervention the cyclist’s VO2max was 87 mL · kg−1 · min−1, Wmax was 7.35 W/kg, and Power3la- was 4.9 W/kg. This single case indicates that the present training program can be a good alternative to the more traditional organization of long-term training of endurance athletes. However, a general recommendation cannot be given based on this single-case study.
Shifting Responses to Institutional Change: The National Football League and Player Concussions
Authors: Heinze Kathryn L. , Lu Di 
Published: June 2017

Institutional research increasingly suggests that organizations are not passive recipients of institutional demands. Organizations can adopt a variety of strategies, including dismissing, decoupling, and co-opting, in response to pressure to change. Over time, organizations likely adopt different approaches, particularly as the institutional field continues to evolve. Through a longitudinal case study of the National Football League’s responses to player concussions, we investigated shifts in how a powerful sport governing body responds to institutional change over time. We found that the National Football League moved through different responses, from more reactive strategies—including dismissing, decoupling, and acquiescing—to proactive attempts to control institutional change. Using data on the National Football League, we offer propositions about the factors that may influence organizational responses. This study advances understanding of powerful sport governing bodies’ responses to institutional change.
Antibody against Microbial Neuraminidases Recognizes Human Sialidase 3 (NEU3): the Neuraminidase/Sialidase Superfamily Revisited
Authors: Feng Chiguang , Li Jihong , Snyder Greg , Huang Wei , Goldblum Simeon E. , Chen Wilbur H. , Wang Lai-Xi , McClane Bruce A. , Cross Alan S. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Neuraminidases (NAs) are critical virulence factors for several microbial pathogens. With a highly conserved catalytic domain, a microbial NA “superfamily” has been proposed. We previously reported that murine polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) sialidase activity was important in leukocyte trafficking to inflamed sites and that antibodies to
Clostridium perfringens
NA recognized a cell surface molecule(s), presumed to be a sialidase of eukaryotic origin on interleukin-8-stimulated human and murine PMNs. These antibodies also inhibited cell sialidase activity both
in vitro
and, in the latter instance,
in vivo
. We therefore hypothesized that mammalian sialidases share structural homology and epitopes with microbial NAs. We now report that antibodies to one of the isoforms of
C. perfringens
NA, as well as anti-influenza virus NA serum, recognize human NEU3 but not NEU1 and that antibodies to
C. perfringens
NA inhibit NEU3 enzymatic activity. We conclude that the previously described microbial NA superfamily extends to human sialidases. Strategies designed to therapeutically inhibit microbial NA may need to consider potential compromising effects on human sialidases, particularly those expressed in cells of the immune system.

IMPORTANCE
We previously reported that sialidase activity of human neutrophils plays a critical role in the host inflammatory response. Since the catalytic domains of microbial neuraminidases are highly conserved, we hypothesized that antibodies against
Clostridium perfringens
neuraminidase might inhibit mammalian sialidase activity. Before the recognition of four mammalian sialidase (
Neu
) isoforms, we demonstrated that anti-
C. perfringens
neuraminidase antibodies inhibited human and murine sialidase activity
in vivo
and
in vitro
. We now show that the antibodies to microbial neuraminidase (
C. perfringens
and influenza virus) recognize human NEU3, which is important for neural development and cell signaling. Since many microbes that infect mucosal surfaces express neuraminidase, it is possible that the use of sialidase inhibitors (e.g., zanamivir), might also compromise human sialidase activity critical to the human immune response. Alternatively, sialidase inhibitors may prove useful in the treatment of hyperinflammatory conditions.
Novel Plasmid-Mediated Colistin Resistance Gene
mcr-3
in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Yin Wenjuan , Li Hui , Shen Yingbo , Liu Zhihai , Wang Shaolin , Shen Zhangqi , Zhang Rong , Walsh Timothy R. , Shen Jianzhong , Wang Yang 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

The mobile colistin resistance gene
mcr-1
has attracted global attention, as it heralds the breach of polymyxins, one of the last-resort antibiotics for the treatment of severe clinical infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. To date, six slightly different variants of
mcr-1
, and a second mobile colistin resistance gene,
mcr-2
, have been reported or annotated in the GenBank database. Here, we characterized a third mobile colistin resistance gene,
mcr-3
. The gene coexisted with 18 additional resistance determinants in the 261-kb IncHI2-type plasmid pWJ1 from porcine
Escherichia coli
.
mcr-3
showed 45.0% and 47.0% nucleotide sequence identity to
mcr-1
and
mcr-2
, respectively, while the deduced amino acid sequence of MCR-3 showed 99.8 to 100% and 75.6 to 94.8% identity to phosphoethanolamine transferases found in other
Enterobacteriaceae
species and in 10
Aeromonas
species, respectively. pWJ1 was mobilized to an
E. coli
recipient by conjugation and contained a plasmid backbone similar to those of other
mcr-1
-carrying plasmids, such as pHNSHP45-2 from the original
mcr-1
-harboring
E. coli
strain. Moreover, a truncated transposon element, Tn
As2
, which was characterized only in
Aeromonas salmonicida
, was located upstream of
mcr-3
in pWJ1. This ΔTn
As2
-
mcr-3
element was also identified in a shotgun genome sequence of a porcine
E. coli
isolate from Malaysia, a human
Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolate from Thailand, and a human
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium isolate from the United States. These results suggest the likelihood of a wide dissemination of the novel mobile colistin resistance gene
mcr-3
among
Enterobacteriaceae
and aeromonads; the latter may act as a potential reservoir for
mcr-3
.

IMPORTANCE
The emergence of the plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene
mcr-1
has attracted substantial attention worldwide. Here, we examined a colistin-resistant
Escherichia coli
isolate that was negative for both
mcr-1
and
mcr-2
and discovered a novel mobile colistin resistance gene,
mcr-3
. The amino acid sequence of MCR-3 aligned closely with phosphoethanolamine transferases from
Enterobacteriaceae
and
Aeromonas
species originating from both clinical infections and environmental samples collected in 12 countries on four continents. Due to the ubiquitous profile of aeromonads in the environment and the potential transfer of
mcr-3
between
Enterobacteriaceae
and
Aeromonas
species, the wide spread of
mcr-3
may be largely underestimated. As colistin has been and still is widely used in veterinary medicine and used at increasing frequencies in human medicine, the continuous monitoring of mobile colistin resistance determinants in colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria is imperative for understanding and tackling the dissemination of
mcr
genes in both the agricultural and health care sectors.