bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic changes in immigrants from Africa to a Western country: time‐lag effects of 20 years since immigration 从非洲迁到一个西方国家后移民的代谢变化：从迁移开始的20年滞后效应
Authors: Kalchiem‐Dekel Or , Shai Iris , Biderman Aya , Orenstein Anna , Cicurel Assi , Reuven Yonatan , Henkin Yaakov 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundAn increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs in immigrants from developing regions to Western countries. However, the dynamics of these transitions in relation to the duration of residence in the new environment are not clearly defined.MethodsData concerning cardiovascular risk factors were retrospectively extracted from medical charts of 736 Ethiopian immigrants and 575 randomly‐chosen, age and sex matched non‐Ethiopian subjects (“reference group”). Ethiopian immigrants were designated “established” (≥20 years of residence), “intermediate” (10–15 years of residence), or “recent” (<10 years of residence).ResultsCompared to non‐Ethiopians, the age‐ and sex‐adjusted odds ratio (OR) for diabetes was 1.00 (95%CI: 0.66–1.49) for established, 0.55 (95%CI: 0.29–1.03) for intermediate, and 0.15 (95%CI: 0.04–0.50) for recent immigrants (P < 0.001). The corresponding OR for hypertension was 0.94 (95%CI: 0.68–1.31), 0.42 (95%CI: 0.26–0.69), and 0.14 (95%CI: 0.06–0.30) for the established, intermediate, and recent immigrants respectively (P < 0.001). In contrast to the gradual increase in prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, the Ethiopian immigrants maintained their lower body mass index (BMI) (28.7 ± 5 vs 25.5 ± 5 kg/m2 respectively, P < 0.001) and serum low‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol (129 ± 36 vs 118 ± 34 mg/dL, P < 0.001) compared to the non‐Ethiopians even after 20 years of residence in Israel.ConclusionsThe prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among the immigrants increased to about half that of the local population within 15 years and became equal to that of the local population after a time‐lag of 20 years. These metabolic derangements occurred despite maintaining desirable BMI levels, reinforcing the need for re‐defining optimal BMI ranges in relation to the ethnic origin.
Biogeographical distribution of denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidizing bacteria in Chinese wetland ecosystems
Authors: Zhu Guibing , Zhou Leiliu , Wang Yu , Wang Shanyun , Guo Jianhua , Long Xi‐En , Sun Xingbin , Jiang Bo , Hou Qiaoyun , Jetten Mike S.M. , Yin Chengqing 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThe discovery of denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation with nitrite as electron acceptor mediated by ‘Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera’ connected the biogeochemical carbon and nitrogen cycle in a new way. However, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding about the distribution of M. oxyfera‐like bacteria in the terrestrial realm, especially the wetland ecosystems that are known as the largest natural source of atmospheric methane. Here, our molecular evidence demonstrated that a wide geographical distribution of M. oxyfera‐like bacteria at oxic/anoxic interfaces of various wetlands (n = 91) over the Chinese territory. Intriguingly, the M. oxyfera‐like bacteria were detected in some extreme environments, indicating that M. oxyfera‐like bacteria occupied a wide range of habitats. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction estimated that the abundance of M. oxyfera‐like bacteria ranged from 2.2 × 103 to 2.3 × 107 copies g−1 dry soil, and up to around 0.62% of the total number of bacteria. Moreover, the M. oxyfera‐like bacteria showed high biodiversity in wetland ecosystems based on the analysis of 462 pmoA and 287 16S rRNA gene sequences. The current study revealed the widespread distribution and biogeography of M. oxyfera‐like bacteria in the terrestrial system.
Pharmacokinetics and concentration–effect relationship of adalimumab in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Ternant David , Ducourau Emilie , Fuzibet Piéra , Vignault Céline , Watier Hervé , Lequerré Thierry , Le Loët Xavier , Vittecoq Olivier , Goupille Philippe , Mulleman Denis , Paintaud Gilles 
Published: September 2014

AimsThis study aimed at describing adalimumab pharmacokinetics (PK) and the concentration–effect relationship of adalimumab using pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) modelling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsAdalimumab PK and PK–PD data were obtained from a multicentric observational study. Adalimumab (40 mg) was administered subcutaneously every other week, and its pharmacokinetics was described using a one‐compartment model. The relationship between adalimumab concentration and C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentration was described using an indirect response model with inhibition of CRP input, whereas the relationship between adalimumab concentration and disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) was described using a direct inhibition model. Dose regimens that included a loading dose of adalimumab were simulated.ResultsThirty patients treated for RA were analysed. The following pharmacokinetic and PK–PD parameters were estimated (interidividual coefficient of variation): apparent volume of distribution (Vd/F) = 10.8 l (92%); apparent clearance (CL/F) = 0.32 l day−1 (17%); first‐order absorption rate (ka) = 0.28 day−1; CRP input (kin) = 22.0 mg l−1 day−1 (65%); adalimumab concentration leading to a 50% decrease in kin (C50) = 3.6 mg l−1 (88%); baseline DAS28 (DAS0) = 5.5 mg l−1 (11%); and adalimumab concentration leading to 50% decrease of DAS0 (IC50) = 11.0 mg l−1 (71%). Simulations showed that a 160 mg loading dose should reduce the time to reach efficacy in terms of both CRP and DAS28 after the first injection.ConclusionsThis is the first study to describe adalimumab pharmacokinetics and the concentration–effect relationship in RA. A 160 mg loading dose may lead to an increased benefit from treatment in RA patients.
Safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics and QT concentration−effect modelling of the SirT1 inhibitor selisistat in healthy volunteers
Authors: Westerberg Goran , Chiesa Joseph A. , Andersen Claus A. , Diamanti Daniela , Magnoni Letizia , Pollio Giuseppe , Darpo Borje , Zhou Meijian 
Published: September 2014

AimSelisistat (SEN0014196), a first‐in‐class SirT1 inhibitor, is being developed as a disease‐modifying therapy for Huntington's disease. This first‐in‐human study investigated the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics of single and multiple doses of selisistat in healthy male and female subjects.MethodIn this double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study, seven cohorts of eight subjects received a single dose of selisistat at dose levels of 5, 25, 75, 150, 300 and 600 mg and four cohorts of eight subjects were administered 100, 200 and 300 mg once daily for 7 days. Blood sampling and safety assessments were conducted throughout the study.ResultsSelisistat was rapidly absorbed and systemic exposure increased in proportion to dose in the 5–300 mg range. Steady‐state plasma concentrations were achieved within 4 days of repeated dosing. The incidence of drug related adverse events showed no correlation with dose level or number of doses received and was comparable with the placebo group. No serious adverse events were reported and no subjects were withdrawn due to adverse events. There were no trends in clinical laboratory parameters or vital signs. No trends in heart rate or ECG parameters, including the QTc interval and T‐wave morphology, were observed. There were no findings in physical or neurological examinations or postural control. Transcriptional alteration was observed in peripheral blood.ConclusionSelisistat was safe and well tolerated by healthy male and female subjects after single doses up to 600 mg and multiple doses up to 300 mg day−1.
Glutathione administration reduces mitochondrial damage and shifts cell death from necrosis to apoptosis in ageing diabetic mice hearts during exercise
Authors: Golbidi S , Botta A , Gottfred S , Nusrat A , Laher I , Ghosh S 
Published: September 2014

Background and PurposeThe effect of antioxidants on ageing type 2 diabetic (T2D) hearts during exercise is unclear. We hypothesized that GSH therapy during exercise reduces mitochondrial oxidative stress (mOXS) and cell death in ageing db/db mice hearts.Experimental ApproachThe effect of GSH on cardiac mOXS and cell death was evaluated both in vivo and in vitro.Key ResultsDuring exercise, GSH treatment protected db/db hearts from exaggerated mOXS without reducing total cell death. Despite similar cell death, investigations on apoptosis‐specific single‐stranded DNA breaks and necrosis‐specific damage provided the first in vivo evidence of a shift from necrosis to apoptosis, with reduced fibrosis following GSH administration in exercised db/db hearts. Further support for a GSH‐regulated ‘switch’ in death phenotypes came from NIH‐3T3 fibroblasts and H9c2 cardiomyocytes treated with H2O2, a reactive oxygen species (ROS). Similar to in vivo findings, augmenting GSH by overexpressing glutamyl cysteine ligase (GCLc) protected fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes from necrosis induced by H2O2, but elevated caspase‐3 and apoptosis instead. Similar to in vivo findings, where GSH therapy in normoglycaemic mice suppressed endogenous antioxidants and augmented caspase‐3 activity, GCLc overexpression during staurosporine‐induced death, which was not characterized by ROS, increased GSH efflux and aggravated death in fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes, confirming that oxidative stress is required for GSH‐mediated cytoprotection.Conclusions and ImplicationsWhile GSH treatment is useful for reducing mOXS and attenuating necrosis and fibrosis in ageing T2D hearts during exercise, such antioxidant treatment could be counterproductive in the healthy heart during exercise.
Eleven‐Year Follow‐Up of a Prospective Study of Zirconia Implant Abutments Supporting Single All‐Ceramic Crowns in Anterior and Premolar Regions
Authors: Zembic Anja , Philipp Alexander Otto Hermann , Hämmerle Christoph Hans Franz , Wohlwend Arnold , Sailer Irena 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundClinical studies on zirconia abutments report very good survival rates and biological and technical results, but few have an observation period of more than 5 years.PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess the long‐term performance of customized zirconia implant abutments supporting all‐ceramic crowns.Materials and MethodsTwenty‐seven patients receiving 54 single implants were included (25 incisors, 14 canines, 15 premolars in both jaws). Yttria‐stabilized zirconia abutments were screwed to the implants with a defined torque. All‐ceramic crowns were adhesively cemented onto the abutments. The implants, abutments, and crowns were clinically and radiographically examined after 11 years of use. Modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria were used to assess technical outcomes: fracture of abutment/crown framework/veneering ceramic, loosening of abutment screw/crown, marginal adaptation, anatomical form, occlusal wear, and abutment fit. The biological parameters were pocket probing depth, plaque control record, bleeding on probing, papilla index, and gingival/mucosal recession at implants and neighboring natural teeth. The cumulative success rate of abutments and crowns was calculated by the Kaplan‐Meier method. The results of the USPHS criteria were analyzed descriptively.ResultsSixteen patients with 31 zirconia abutments were examined at 11.3 (±0.9) years after implantation. No abutment or crown was lost. The cumulative success rate was 96.3% for abutments and 90.7% for crowns. Two abutment screws loosened, and three crowns exhibited minor chipping. There were no biological complications.ConclusionsCustomized zirconia single implant abutments exhibited excellent long‐term outcomes in anterior and premolar regions.
Proportion of exotics and relatedness of host species mediate the positive effect of plant richness on the species richness of fruit flies
Authors: GONTIJO LUCAS , VIEIRA MARCOS C. , DE ARAÚJO WALTER S. , ALMEIDA‐NETO MÁRIO 
Published: September 2014

1. All else being equal, the greater the local species richness of plants, the greater the number of associated herbivore species. Because most herbivore insects feed on a subset of closely related plant species, plant phylogenetic diversity is expected to play a key role in determining the number of herbivore species. What is not well known, however, is how an increase in the species richness of exotic plants affects the species richness of herbivores.2. In this study, we used plant–fruit fly interactions to investigate the influence of the proportion and species richness of exotic host plants on the species richness of herbivorous insects. We also tested whether the phylogenetic diversity of host plants increases when the number of exotic plant species increases.3. We found that the species richness of fruit flies is more accurately predicted by the richness of native host plants than by total plant species richness (including both native and exotic species). The proportion of exotic host species and the phylogenetic diversity of host plants had negative and positive effects, respectively, on the species richness of fruit flies.4. Our findings suggest that a positive effect of plant richness on herbivore richness occurs only when an increase in plant diversity involves plant species with which native herbivores share some evolutionary history.
Specialisation of bacterial endosymbionts that protect aphids from parasitoids
Authors: ASPLEN MARK K. , BANO NASREEN , BRADY CRISTINA M. , DESNEUX NICOLAS , HOPPER KEITH R. , MALOUINES CLARA , OLIVER KERRY M. , WHITE JENNIFER A. , HEIMPEL GEORGE E. 
Published: September 2014

1. Infection by the bacterial endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa is capable of protecting the pea aphid from parasitism by Aphidius ervi and the black bean aphid from parasitism by Lysiphlebus fabarum. Here we investigate protection of a third aphid species, the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora, from four parasitoid species: Binodoxys communis, B. koreanus, Lysiphlebus orientalis, and Aphidius colemani.2. We compared parasitism of A. craccivora lines that were either infected with, or cured of H. defensa separately for the four parasitoid species. Infection by H. defensa almost completely eliminated parasitism of A. craccivora by B. communis and B. koreanus, but had no effect on parasitism by L. orientalis and A. colemani.3. This indicates at least genus‐level specificity of protective effects by H. defensa and we discuss implications of our findings on the known world‐wide distribution of this host/symbiont interaction.
Acoustical enrichment during early postnatal development changes response properties of inferior colliculus neurons in rats
Authors: Bureš Zbyněk , Bartošová Jolana , Lindovský Jiří , Chumak Tetyana , Popelář Jiří , Syka Josef 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe structure and function of the auditory system may be influenced by acoustic stimulation, especially during the early postnatal period. This study explores the effects of an acoustically enriched environment applied during the third and fourth week of life on the responsiveness of inferior colliculus neurons in rats. The enrichment comprised a spectrally and temporally modulated complex sound reinforced with several target acoustic stimuli, one of which triggered a reward release. The exposure permanently influenced neuronal representation of the sound frequency and intensity, resulting in lower excitatory thresholds at neuronal characteristic frequency, an increased frequency selectivity, larger response magnitudes, steeper rate–intensity functions and an increased spontaneous activity. The effect was general and non‐specific, spanning the entire hearing range – no changes specific to the frequency band of the target stimuli were found. The alterations depended on the activity of animals during the enrichment – a higher activity of rats in the stimulus–reward paradigm led to more profound changes compared with the treatment when the stimulus–reward paradigm was not used. Furthermore, the exposure in early life led to permanent changes in response parameters, whereas the application of the same environment in adulthood influenced only a subset of the examined parameters and had only a temporary effect. These findings indicate that a rich and stimulating acoustic environment during early development, particularly when reinforced by positive feedback, may permanently affect signal processing in the subcortical auditory nuclei, including the excitatory thresholds of neurons and their frequency and intensity resolution.
Predator decline leads to decreased stability in a coastal fish community
Authors: Britten Gregory L. , Dowd Michael , Minto Cóilín , Ferretti Francesco , Boero Ferdinando , Lotze Heike K. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractFisheries exploitation has caused widespread declines in marine predators. Theory predicts that predator depletion will destabilise lower trophic levels, making natural communities more vulnerable to environmental perturbations. However, empirical evidence has been limited. Using a community matrix model, we empirically assessed trends in the stability of a multispecies coastal fish community over the course of predator depletion. Three indices of community stability (resistance, resilience and reactivity) revealed significantly decreasing stability concurrent with declining predator abundance. The trophically downgraded community exhibited weaker top‐down control, leading to predator‐release processes in lower trophic levels and increased susceptibility to perturbation. At the community level, our results suggest that high predator abundance acts as a stabilising force to the naturally stochastic and highly autocorrelated dynamics in low trophic species. These findings have important implications for the conservation and management of predators in marine ecosystems and provide empirical support for the theory of predatory control.
Characterization of horizontally transferred β‐fructofuranosidase (ScrB) genes in Agrilus planipennis
Authors: Zhao C. , Doucet D. , Mittapalli O. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an important invasive insect pest of Fraxinus spp. that feeds on host tissues containing high levels of sucrose. However, little is known about how it digests sucrose. Here, using larval midgut transcriptome data and preliminary genome sequence efforts, two β‐fructofuranosidase‐encoding ScrB genes, AplaScrB‐1 and AplaScrB‐2, were identified, and proved to reside within the A. planipennis genome. Homology and phylogenetic analysis revealed that they were acquired by A. planipennis via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from bacteria, possibly an event independent from that reported in bark beetles (eg ScrB genes). Microsynteny between A. planipennis DNA scaffold #2042940, which hosts AplaScrB‐1, and a region in the Tribolium castaneum chromosome LG4 suggested that A. planipennis gained this gene after the separation of Buprestidae and Tenebrionidae. Although both of the putative AplaScrB proteins have conserved β‐fructofuranosidase motifs, only AplaScrB‐2 was predicted to be a secretory protein. Expression of AplaScrB‐1 seemed constitutive during development and in all tissues examined, whereas AplaScrB‐2 showed a peak expression in adults and in the midgut. We propose that acquisition of these genes by A. planipennis from bacteria is adaptive, and specifically AplaScrB‐2 is involved in breaking down dietary sucrose to obtain energy for development.
Vγ2Vδ2 T‐cell co‐stimulation increases natural killer cell killing of monocyte‐derived dendritic cells
Authors: Cairo Cristiana , Surendran Naveen , Harris Kristina M. , Mazan‐Mamczarz Krystyna , Sakoda Yukimi , Diaz‐Mendez Felisa , Tamada Koji , Gartenhaus Ronald B. , Mann Dean L. , Pauza C. David 
Published: September 2014

SummaryInteractions between natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DC) affect maturation and function of both cell populations, including NK cell killing of DC (editing), which is important for controlling the quality of immune responses. We also know that antigen‐stimulated Vγ2Vδ2 T cells co‐stimulate NK cells via 4‐1BB to enhance the killing of tumour cell lines but we do not know what regulates 4‐1BB expression or whether other NK effector functions including DC killing, might also be influenced by NK–γδ T‐cell cross‐talk. Here we show that antigen‐stimulated γδ T cells co‐stimulate NK cells through inducible T‐cell co‐stimulator (ICOS)– ICOS ligand (ICOSL) and this signal increases NK cell killing of autologous DC. Effects of NK–γδ T‐cell co‐culture, which could be reproduced with soluble ICOS‐Fc fusion protein, included increased CD69 and 4‐1BB expression, interferon‐γ, tumour necrosis factor‐α, macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β, I‐309, RANTES and sFas ligand production, as well as elevated mRNA levels for co‐stimulatory receptors OX40 (TNFRSF4) and GITR (TNFRSF18). Hence, ICOS–ICOSL co‐stimulation of NK by Vγ2Vδ2 T cells had broad effects on NK phenotype and effector functions. The NK–γδ T‐cell cross‐talk links innate and antigen‐specific lymphocyte responses in the control of cytotoxic effector function and DC killing.
Economic Policy Uncertainty and Exchange Rate Volatility
Authors: Krol Robert 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of general economic and economic policy uncertainty on exchange rate volatility for ten industrial and emerging economies since 1990. The results in this paper suggest that home and US economic policy uncertainty directly increase exchange rate volatility for some of the currencies examined. For the more integrated industrial economies, there is strong evidence that both home‐country and US economic policy uncertainty increase currency volatility during bad economic times. For the less integrated emerging economies, only home‐country economic policy uncertainty increases exchange rate volatility during bad economic times. General economic uncertainty also increases exchange rate volatility, but its impact is generally smaller than that of economic policy uncertainty. Given that previous research has found a negative relationship between exchange rate volatility and economic activity, these results suggest that economic policy uncertainty can negatively affect economic performance.
Bank Bonds: Size, Systemic Relevance and the Sovereign
Authors: Zaghini Andrea 
Published: September 2014

AbstractI analyse the risk premium on bank bonds at origination with special focus on the role of implicit and explicit public guarantees and the systemic relevance of issuing institutions. Looking at the asset swap spread on 5,500 bonds, I find that explicit guarantees and sovereign creditworthiness have a substantial effect on the risk premium. In addition, while large institutions still enjoy lower issuance costs linked to the too‐big‐to‐fail (TBTF) framework, I find evidence of enhanced market discipline for systemically important banks, which have faced an increased premium on bond placements since the onset of the financial crisis.