bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hybridization studies to modify the host preference of Anopheles gambiae
Authors: PATES H. V. , CURTIS C. F. , TAKKEN W. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractA strategy to decrease the vector competence of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (Diptera: Culicidae), the most efficient malaria vector in Africa, may consist of exploiting the genes involved in zoophily. Crossing and backcrossing experiments were performed between An. gambiae s.s. and the zoophilic sibling species Anopheles quadriannulatus. Mosquito strains were tested in a dual‐choice olfactometer to investigate their responses to cow odour. Totals of 12% of An. gambiae s.s. and 59% of An. quadriannulatus selected the port with the cow odour. Crosses and backcrosses did not show a significant preference for the cow‐baited port. The results indicated that anthropophilic behaviour in An. gambiae s.s. is a dominant or partially dominant trait, which, in conjunction with the unstable zoophilic behaviour observed in An. quadriannulatus, poses a serious obstacle to plans to decrease vector competence by modifying the anthropophilic trait.
Antigen characterization from second instars of oestrid bot flies for the detection of anti‐Cephenemyia stimulator antibodies by ELISA in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)
Authors: ARIAS M. S. , PAJARES G. , PAZ‐SILVA A. , DÍEZ‐BAÑOS N. , SUÁREZ J. L. , DÍEZ‐BAÑOS P. , SÁNCHEZ‐ANDRADE R. , MORRONDO P. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractA study to determine the most appropriate antigen for use in the serodiagnosis of Cephenemyia (Diptera: Oestridae) infestation in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was carried out using immunoenzymatic tests. Serum samples from 43 roe deer from northern Spain were obtained post‐mortem and corresponding numbers of bot fly larvae established. Three antigen complexes were tested, including Cephenemyia stimulator Clark excretory/secretory antigens (CsES), C. stimulator somatic antigens (CsSA) and Oestrus ovis L. (Diptera: Oestridae) excretory/secretory antigens (OoES). In addition, the composition of each antigen was analysed using an electrophoresis system. Cephenemyia stimulator larvae were found in 25% of roe deer; the mean intensity of infection was 24.3 larvae per infested animal. In the antigen analysis, CsSA showed four exclusive bands of molecular weight (17–19, 62, 65 and 67–70 kDa). A positive correlation between immunoglobulin G (IgG) values and total number of larvae was found with CsES and CsSA. The highest sensitivity value, negative predictive value and negative likelihood ratio were obtained using CsES. The highest specificity value, positive likelihood ratio and kappa value were achieved with CsSA. The predictive values of the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using CsES and CsSA reached statistical significance and seroprevalence values were 26–44%. The use of ELISA with CsES and CsSA seems promising in the non‐invasive diagnosis of Cephenemyia infestation in roe deer.
Overexpression of a rice heme activator protein gene (OsHAP2E) confers resistance to pathogens, salinity and drought, and increases photosynthesis and tiller number
Authors: Alam Md. Mahfuz , Tanaka Toru , Nakamura Hidemitsu , Ichikawa Hiroaki , Kobayashi Kappei , Yaeno Takashi , Yamaoka Naoto , Shimomoto Kota , Takayama Kotaro , Nishina Hiroshige , Nishiguchi Masamichi 
Published: August 2014

SummaryHeme activator protein (HAP), also known as nuclear factor Y or CCAAT binding factor (HAP/NF‐Y/CBF), has important functions in regulating plant growth, development and stress responses. The expression of rice HAP gene (OsHAP2E) was induced by probenazole (PBZ), a chemical inducer of disease resistance. To characterize the gene, the chimeric gene (OsHAP2E::GUS) engineered to carry the structural gene encoding β‐glucuronidase (GUS) driven by the promoter from OsHAP2E was introduced into rice. The transgenic lines of OsHAP2Ein::GUS with the intron showed high GUS activity in the wounds and surrounding tissues. When treated by salicylic acid (SA), isonicotinic acid (INA), abscisic acid (ABA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the lines showed GUS activity exclusively in vascular tissues and mesophyll cells. This activity was enhanced after inoculation with Magnaporthe oryzae or Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. The OsHAP2E expression level was also induced after inoculation of rice with M. oryzae and X. oryzae pv. oryzae and after treatment with SA, INA, ABA and H2O2, respectively. We further produced transgenic rice overexpressing OsHAP2E. These lines conferred resistance to M. oryzae or X. oryzae pv. oryzae and to salinity and drought. Furthermore, they showed a higher photosynthetic rate and an increased number of tillers. Microarray analysis showed up‐regulation of defence‐related genes. These results suggest that this gene could contribute to conferring biotic and abiotic resistances and increasing photosynthesis and tiller numbers.
The incidence of lung cancer by histological type: A population‐based study in Tianjin, China during 1981–2005
Authors: Kong Jinyu , Xu Fangxiu , He Min , Chen Kexin , Qian Biyun 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackground and objectiveLung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The aim of this study was to examine the trend in the incidence of lung cancer, validated by histology in Tianjin, the third largest municipal city in China, during the period from 1981 to 2005.MethodsNew lung cancer cases, crude incidence rates and age‐adjusted rates by histological type were analysed using the data from the Tianjin Cancer Registry, which covers a population of 4 million urban residents.ResultsThe most common histological types of lung cancer were squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) in men and adenocarcinoma (ADC) in women. During the 25‐year period, the constitutive pattern of the histological types changed gradually, ADC increased by 31.4%, but SQCC decreased by 25.6% among women. For SQCC, ADC or small cell carcinoma (SMCC), both the new cases and crude incidences per year increased among men and women. However, the age‐adjusted incidences of all types of lung cancer showed an initial increase, which then levelled off or declined in recent years. The birth‐cohort incidence analyses revealed that SQCC declined sharply, while ADC still increased among the younger age groups.ConclusionThe incidences of lung cancer by histological type changed during the 25‐year period in Tianjin. Tailored strategies on prevention and control should be developed to meet the needs for various populations.
Characterization of butyrate transport across the luminal membranes of equine large intestine
Authors: Nedjadi Taoufik , Moran Andrew W. , Al‐Rammahi Miran A. , Shirazi‐Beechey Soraya P. 
Published: August 2014

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Butyrate, a product of colonic microbial fermentation of dietary fibre (grass), is a major source of energy for the horse and plays an important role in maintaining the health of the intestine. What are the properties of the membrane protein and what is the mechanism by which butyrate is absorbed in equine large intestine (colon)?
What is the main finding and its importance?
We have identified the mechanism of and membrane protein involved in butyrate transport in equine large intestine. This knowledge will allow rational approaches to the design of dietary formulations to enhance butyrate production and absorption in equine colon, in order to provide more energy for the horse and maintain its gut health.
The diet of the horse, pasture forage (grass), is fermented by the equine colonic microbiota to short‐chain fatty acids, notably acetate, propionate and butyrate. Short‐chain fatty acids provide a major source of energy for the horse and contribute to many vital physiological processes. We aimed to determine both the mechanism of butyrate uptake across the luminal membrane of equine colon and the nature of the protein involved. To this end, we isolated equine colonic luminal membrane vesicles. The abundance and activity of cysteine‐sensitive alkaline phosphatase and villin, intestinal luminal membrane markers, were significantly enriched in membrane vesicles compared with the original homogenates. In contrast, the abundance of GLUT2 protein and the activity of Na+–K+‐ATPase, known markers of the intestinal basolateral membrane, were hardly detectable. We demonstrated, by immunohistochemistry, that monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) protein is expressed on the luminal membrane of equine colonocytes. We showed that butyrate transport into luminal membrane vesicles is energized by a pH gradient (out < in) and is not Na+ dependent. Moreover, butyrate uptake is time and concentration dependent, with a Michaelis–Menten constant of 5.6 ± 0.45 mm and maximal velocity of 614 ± 55 pmol s−1 (mg protein)−1. Butyrate transport is significantly inhibited by p‐chloromercuribenzoate, phloretin and α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid, all potent inhibitors of MCT1. Moreover, acetate and propionate, as well as the monocarboxylates pyruvate and lactate, also inhibit butyrate uptake. Data presented here support the conclusion that transport of butyrate across the equine colonic luminal membrane is predominantly accomplished by MCT1.
Reduced hypoxic ventilatory response in newborn mice knocked‐out for the progesterone receptor
Authors: Potvin Catherine , Rossignol Orlane , Uppari NagaPraveena , Dallongeville Arnaud , Bairam Aida , Joseph Vincent 
Published: August 2014

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Progesterone has been proposed as an alternative to xanthine therapy for the treatment of idiopathic apnoeas in preterm neonates, but our knowledge of the respiratory function of progesterone in neonates is limited. We therefore asked whether endogenous progesterone is an efficient respiratory stimulant in newborn mice.
What is the main finding and its importance?
The present study shows that expression of the nuclear progesterone receptor is a key contributor to the hypoxic ventilatory response in newborn mice. This study will encourage further research on the role of other progesterone receptors in respiratory control in newborn mammals.
AbstractRecent studies showed that progesterone stimulates the hypoxic ventilatory response and may reduce apnoea frequency in newborn rats, but so far we still do not know by what mechanisms and whether endogenous progesterone might contribute to respiratory control in neonates. We therefore determined the role of the nuclear progesterone receptor (PR; member of the steroid receptor superfamily) by using wild‐type (WT) and PR knock‐out (PRKO) mice at postnatal days (P) 1, 4 and 10. We measured the hypoxic ventilatory response (14 and 12% O2, 20 min each) and apnoea frequency in both male and female mice by using whole‐body plethysmography. In response to hypoxia, WT male mice had a marked hypoxic ventilatory response at P1 and P10, but not at P4. At P1 and P10, PRKO male mice had a lower hypoxic ventilatory response than WT males. Wild‐type female mice had a marked hypoxic ventilatory response at P10, but not at P1 and P4. At P1 and P10, PRKO female mice had a lower hypoxic ventilatory response than WT females. In basal conditions, apnoea frequency was similar in WT and PRKO mice at P1, P4 and P10. During hypoxia, apnoea frequency was higher in WT male mice compared with PRKO male mice and WT female mice at P1. We conclude that PR is a key contributor to the hypoxic ventilatory response in newborn mice, but PR deletion does not increase the frequency of apnoea during normoxia or hypoxia.
Spinal μ‐opioid receptor‐sensitive lower limb muscle afferents determine corticospinal responsiveness and promote central fatigue in upper limb muscle
Authors: Sidhu Simranjit K. , Weavil Joshua C. , Venturelli Massimo , Garten Ryan S. , Rossman Matthew J. , Richardson Russell S. , Gmelch Benjamin S. , Morgan David E. , Amann Markus 
Published: August 2014

Key points
We aimed to elucidate the role of group III/IV locomotor muscle afferents in the development of central fatigue and the responsiveness of the corticospinal tract in relation to an unexercised arm muscle.
Intrathecal fentanyl, a μ‐opioid receptor agonist, was employed to attenuate afferent feedback from the leg muscles during intense cycling exercise characterized by either no or severe peripheral locomotor muscle fatigue.
In the absence of locomotor muscle fatigue, group III/IV‐mediated leg afferent feedback facilitates the responsiveness of the motor pathway to upper limb flexor muscles.
By contrast, in the presence of leg fatigue, group III/IV locomotor muscle afferents facilitate supraspinal fatigue in a remote muscle not involved in the exercise and disfacilitate the responsiveness of associated corticospinal projections.
AbstractWe investigated the influence of group III/IV lower limb muscle afferents on the development of supraspinal fatigue and the responsiveness of corticospinal projections to an arm muscle. Eight males performed constant‐load leg cycling exercise (80% peak power output) for 30 s (non‐fatiguing) and to exhaustion (∼9 min; fatiguing) both under control conditions and with lumbar intrathecal fentanyl impairing feedback from μ‐opioid receptor‐sensitive lower limb muscle afferents. Voluntary activation (VA) of elbow flexors was assessed via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and corticospinal responsiveness was monitored via TMS‐evoked potentials (MEPs) during a 25% MVC. Accompanied by a significant 5 ± 1% reduction in VA from pre‐ to post‐exercise, elbow flexor MVC progressively decreased during the fatiguing trial (P < 0.05). By contrast, with attenuated feedback from locomotor muscle afferents, MVC and VA remained unchanged during fatiguing exercise (P > 0.3). MEPs decreased by 36 ± 6% (P < 0.05) from the start of exercise to exhaustion under control conditions, but this reduction was prevented with fentanyl blockade. Furthermore, fentanyl blockade prevented the significant increase in elbow flexor MEP observed from rest to non‐fatiguing exercise under control conditions and resulted in a 14% lower corticospinal responsiveness during this short bout (P < 0.05). Taken together, in the absence of locomotor muscle fatigue, group III/IV‐mediated leg muscle afferents facilitate responsiveness of the motor pathway to upper limb flexor muscles. By contrast, in the presence of cycling‐induced leg fatigue, group III/IV locomotor muscle afferents facilitate supraspinal fatigue in remote muscle not involved in the exercise and disfacilitate, or inhibit, the responsiveness of corticospinal projections to upper limb muscles.
Monitoring Training With Heart-Rate Variability: How Much Compliance Is Needed for Valid Assessment?
Authors: Plews Daniel J. , Laursen Paul B. , Meur Yann Le , Hausswirth Christophe , Kilding Andrew E. , Buchheit Martin 
Published: August 2014

Purpose:To establish the minimum number of days that heart-rate-variability (HRV, ie, the natural logarithm of square root of the mean sum of the squared differences between R-R intervals, Ln rMSSD) data should be averaged to achieve correspondingly equivalent results as data averaged over a 1-wk period.Methods:Standardized changes in Ln rMSSD between different phases of training (normal training, functional overreaching (FOR), overall training, and taper) and the correlation coefficients of percentage changes in performance vs changes in Ln rMSSD were compared when averaging Ln rMSSD from 1 to 7 d, randomly selected within the week.Results:Standardized Ln rMSSD changes (90% confidence limits, CL) from baseline to overload (FOR) were 0.20 ± 0.28, 0.33 ± 0.26, 0.49 ± 0.33, 0.48 ± 0.28, 0.47 ± 0.26, 0.45 ± 0.26, and 0.43 ± 0.29 on days 1 to 7, respectively. Correlations (90% CL) over the same time sequence and training phase were –.02 ± .23, –.07 ± .23, –.17 ± .22, –.25 ± .22, –.26 ± .22, –.28 ± .21, and –.25 ± .22 on days 1 to 7. There were almost perfect quadratic relationships between standardized changes/r values vs the number of days Ln rMSSD was averaged (r2 = .92 and .97, respectively) in trained triathletes during FOR. This indicates a plateau in the increase in standardized changes/r values’ magnitude after 3 and 4 d, respectively, in trained triathletes.Conclusion:Practitioners using HRV to monitor training adaptation should use a minimum of 3 (randomly selected) valid data points per week.
Genome Sequence of Paenibacillus polymyxa Strain CICC 10580, Isolated from the Fruit of Noni (
Morinda citrifolia
L.) Grown in the Paracel Islands
Authors: Xu Youqiang , Liu Yang , Yao Su , Li Jinxia , Cheng Chi 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT

Noni is a plant reported to have nutritional and therapeutic properties.
Paenibacillus polymyxa
CICC 10580 is a strain that was isolated from the fruit of noni and showed comprehensive antagonistic activity against many pathogens. Its genome was sequenced and assembled (6.10 Mb). The coding sequences (CDSs) correlated with antagonistic activity were annotated.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus oryzae Strain SG293
T
Authors: Tanizawa Yasuhiro , Fujisawa Takatomo , Mochizuki Takako , Kaminuma Eli , Nakamura Yasukazu , Tohno Masanori 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT

We report the 1.86-Mb draft genome and annotation of
Lactobacillus oryzae
SG293
T
isolated from fermented rice grains. This genome information may provide further insights into the mechanisms underlying the fermentation of rice grains.
Cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric safety of varenicline and bupropion compared with nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation: study protocol of a retrospective cohort study using the QResearch general practice database
Authors: Kotz Daniel , Simpson Colin , Viechtbauer Wolfgang , van Schayck Onno C P , West Robert , Sheikh Aziz 
Published: August 2014

IntroductionCigarette smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death and is the main risk factor of major diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The best treatment to help smokers quit is a combination of behavioural support with pharmacotherapy. Varenicline is the newest drug on the market and has been shown to be effective in the general smoking population and in smokers with COPD. The safety profile of varenicline was initially established using standard approaches to pharmacovigilance, but postmarketing reports have raised concerns about a possible association between the use of varenicline and cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric events. Although recent studies have not confirmed such an association, further research is needed given the large number of smokers who are being prescribed varenicline, including important subgroups such as smokers with COPD who may be particularly vulnerable to side effects of drugs. The aim of this study is to assess the cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric safety of varenicline using data from the QResearch general practice (GP) database.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a retrospective cohort study in the QResearch GP database. Patients will be categorised into three exposure groups: prescription of (1) varenicline, (2) bupropion or (3) nicotine replacement therapy (NRT Rx; =reference group). We will separately consider major incident neuropsychiatric and cardiovascular outcomes that occur during 6 months of follow-up using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for confounders. Furthermore, propensity score analysis will be used as an analytical approach to account for potential confounding by indication.Ethics and disseminationThis work involves analysis of anonymised, routinely collected data. The protocol has been independently peer-reviewed by the QResearch Scientific Board and meets the requirements of the Trent research ethics committee. We plan to disseminate the results from this study via articles in international peer-reviewed journals and presentations at relevant national and international health conferences.
A qualitative study exploring use of the surprise question in the care of older people: perceptions of general practitioners and challenges for practice
Authors: Elliott Margaret , Nicholson Caroline 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveThe question “Would you be surprised if this patient were to die in the next 6–12 months?” has been included in UK palliative care guidance with the aim of supporting the identification and care planning of those nearing the end of life. Little is known about how the surprise question is utilised in the care of older people within primary care. This study sought to explore the perceptions and experiences of general practitioners (GPs).MethodSemistructured interviews were conducted with 12 GPs. Each interview reflected on the care of two people, aged 80 years or older, selected by the GP as possibly being in the last year of life. Analysis followed a grounded theory approach within a framework of interpretive thematic analysis.ResultsData discussing 22 clinical cases revealed the difficulties experienced by GPs when assessing prognosis for older people with non-malignant conditions, despite their recognition of multiple mortality risk factors and high symptom burden. GPs did not appear to include the surprise question within their usual practice and expressed concerns regarding its use to facilitate discussion of advance care plans. These concerns highlighted the subjective nature of the surprise question and potential barriers to conducting discussions of preferences for future care.ConclusionsGreater understanding is needed as to the difficulties experienced by GPs when assessing prognosis in older people. We propose a thematic model which could support GPs by focusing assessment on the supportive and palliative care needs of older people nearing the end of life.
Rapid real-time PCR for detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex DNA in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues: 16% of histological ‘sarcoid’ may contain such DNA
Authors: Surat Güzin , Wallace William A , Laurenson Ian F , Seagar Amie-Louise 
Published: August 2014

AimsTo investigate the diagnostic accuracy of IS6110real-time PCR for detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (MTBC) in DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues using two different methods. In the absence of material submitted for tuberculosis (TB) culture, MTBC detection in FFPE tissue can be an important aid to diagnosis.MethodsWe collected 144 FFPE tissue blocks (lung and lymph node) for IS6110real-time PCR. Two DNA extraction methods (QIAamp FFPE tissue kit and NucliSENS easyMAG) were assessed within a general laboratory setting. PCR results were compared with histology and culture.ResultsIn the histological MTBC and culture MTBC (TB-positive) groups, 72.4% were IS6110-positive and 27.6% negative. IS6110-negative results were obtained from 98%, 61.5% and 84% of the histologically MTBC-negative (TB-negative) group, histologically TB/no culture group and sarcoidosis group, respectively. Review of 19 IS6110-positive patients in the latter three groups showed that 15 had clinical TB. Thirteen of 15 (86.7%) IS6110-positive patients in the histological TB/no culture group and 2 of 4 (50%)IS6110-positive patients in the sarcoidosis group were clinically diagnosed with TB which highlights the difficulty of a pathological diagnosis.ConclusionsIS6110real-time PCR using easyMAG extracted DNA is a moderately sensitive, specific and rapid method for MTBC detection in FFPE material, but must be interpreted in the overall clinical context. PCR results can be available in around 5 h from FFPE specimen receipt, with minimal hands-on time.