bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Niche overlap between sympatric coyotes and bobcats in highland zones of Olympic Mountains, Washington
Authors: Witczuk J. , Pagacz S. , Gliwicz J. , Mills L. S. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe 20th century extensive range expansion of coyote Canis latrans throughout North America may impose negative effects on native carnivores. We investigated the interspecific niche relationships to assess potential for competition between sympatric coyote and a similar‐sized felid – bobcat Lynx rufus – throughout the highland zones (elevation >1000 m) of Olympic National Park, Olympic Peninsula, Washington. Through systematic collection and analyses of scats for both carnivores (May–September 2005–2006), we determined food habits (composition, diversity, overlap of diets) and habitat use patterns. To ensure correct determination of carnivore species, we used mtDNA analysis of scats. Scat analysis indicated extensive dietary overlap between coyote and bobcat (Pianka's overlap index = 0.97). For both carnivores medium‐sized mammals comprised the predominant prey: mountain beaver Aplodontia rufa and snowshoe hare Lepus americanus; each occurring in about 50% of the scats. High dietary similarity indicated the potential for interspecific exploitative competition for mammalian prey, especially in harsh climatic conditions of high mountains. However, observed patterns of habitat selection inferred from scat distribution showed differences between coyotes and bobcats, implying some degree of habitat partitioning. Bobcats preferred relatively dense montane forests (canopy cover >40%) at lower elevations, and avoided the alpine zone, while coyotes inhabited mainly alpine and subalpine zones and mostly avoided forest. We conclude that observed habitat separation may alleviate foraging competition between coyote and bobcat. Whether this habitat separation will decrease potential negative effects of coyote colonization on bobcat abundance, or whether it indicates ongoing displacement of bobcats by coyotes, remains an open question.
Heterozygous ABCB4 mutations in children with cholestatic liver disease
Authors: Gordo‐Gilart Raquel , Hierro Loreto , Andueza Sara , Muñoz‐Bartolo Gema , López Carola , Díaz Carmen , Jara Paloma , Álvarez Luis 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsMonoallelic defects in ABCB4, which encodes the canalicular floppase for phosphatidylcholine MDR3, have been encountered in association with a variety of hepatobiliary disorders, particularly in adult subjects. In this study, we examined the presence of heterozygous ABCB4 variants in a cohort of children with chronic cholestasis and assessed the pathogenicity of the missense changes identified.MethodsSixty‐seven children with chronic liver dysfunction were studied by the sequencing of ABCB4 and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification analysis. The molecular defects arising from missense variants were analysed in MDCK‐II and AD‐293 cells.ResultsDefects in a single allele of ABCB4 were identified in nine subjects. They included one small insertion (p.I1242Nfs), one nonsense mutation (p.R144X) and six missense changes (p.T175A, p.G228R, p.A250T, p.S320F, p.P352L and p.A934T). In four children, these defects in ABCB4 co‐existed with various medical conditions. In vitro phenotyping of the six missense variants revealed that four (T175A, G228R, S320F and A934T) led to reduced MDR3 protein levels. Two mutations (G228R and A934T) resulted in trapping of the protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. Phosphatidylcholine efflux activity was decreased to 56–18% of reference levels for MDR3 mutants T175A, A250T and S320F. The G228R, P352L and A934T mutants were found to be non‐functional.ConclusionsThese results illustrate the varying effects of ABCB4 missense mutations and suggest that even a modest reduction in MDR3 activity may contribute or predispose to the onset of cholestatic liver disease in the paediatric age.
Bacterial microcompartments: widespread prokaryotic organelles for isolation and optimization of metabolic pathways
Authors: Bobik Thomas A. , Lehman Brent P. , Yeates Todd O. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryProkaryotes use subcellular compartments for a variety of purposes. An intriguing example is a family of complex subcellular organelles known as bacterial microcompartments (MCPs). MCPs are widely distributed among bacteria and impact processes ranging from global carbon fixation to enteric pathogenesis. Overall, MCPs consist of metabolic enzymes encased within a protein shell, and their function is to optimize biochemical pathways by confining toxic or volatile metabolic intermediates. MCPs are fundamentally different from other organelles in having a complex protein shell rather than a lipid‐based membrane as an outer barrier. This unusual feature raises basic questions about organelle assembly, protein targeting and metabolite transport. In this review, we discuss the three best‐studied MCPs highlighting atomic‐level models for shell assembly, targeting sequences that direct enzyme encapsulation, multivalent proteins that organize the lumen enzymes, the principles of metabolite movement across the shell, internal cofactor recycling, a potential system of allosteric regulation of metabolite transport and the mechanism and rationale behind the functional diversification of the proteins that form the shell. We also touch on some potential biotechnology applications of an unusual compartment designed by nature to optimize metabolic processes within a cellular context.
Epidemiology and outcomes of patients with invasive mould infections: a retrospective observational study from a single centre (2005–2009)
Authors: Klingspor Lena , Saaedi Baharak , Ljungman Per , Szakos Attila 
Published: July 2015

SummaryInvasive mould infection (IMI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. However, Swedish epidemiology data are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology and outcome of IMI. Cases of proven/probable IMI at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, from 2005 to 2009, were included. A total of 100 patients with 104 episodes of IMI were enrolled. Identified isolates included 101 mould isolates. The majority of the isolates were Aspergillus spp. (74.3%), followed by Mucorales spp. (13.9%), Fusarium spp. (4.9%) and other mould spp. (6.9%). In 13% of the episodes, more than one mould caused the IMI. The lung was most often affected (88.5%). The most frequent underlying disease was haematological malignancies (70%). Following diagnosis, 83.7% initially received antifungal monotherapy, 9.6% received combination therapy and 6.7% no treatment. The overall 90‐day and 1‐year overall survival was 49% and 46% respectively. Survival at 90 days post diagnosis was 71.4% in the solid tumour cohort, 62.5% in patients with solid organ transplants, 43.5% in haematological malignancy (HMs) and 37% in those undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Overall survival was poor in the studied cohort, but is variable among different host categories, with particular opportunities for improvement in patients with underlying HMs and allogeneic HSCT.
Human sporotrichosis beyond the epidemic front reveals classical transmission types in Espírito Santo, Brazil
Authors: de Araujo Mariceli L. , Rodrigues Anderson M. , Fernandes Geisa F. , de Camargo Zoilo P. , de Hoog G. Sybren 
Published: July 2015

SummarySporotrichosis has emerged as the main subcutaneous mycosis of humans and animals around the world. With particular differences in frequency, the major species includes Sporothrix brasiliensis, S. schenckii, S. globosa and S. luriei. In Brazil, the main aspect of this epidemic is based on the zoonotic transmission through the scratches and bites of diseased cats contaminated with S. brasiliensis. Areas free of feline sporotrichosis are poorly characterised in Brazil. We investigated by molecular tools the epidemiology of human sporotrichosis in the Espírito Santo (ES) state, an area adjacent to Rio de Janeiro where is the epicentre of the long‐lasting outbreak of cat‐transmitted sporotrichosis. The human cases in the ES state reveal the prevalence of classical transmission types where subjects are mainly infected by accidental traumatic inoculation during manipulation of contaminated plant material. In agreement with an environmental source, Sporothrix schenckii was the major aetiological agent in the classical transmission. Unlike Rio de Janeiro, this study shows that cat‐transmitted epidemic in Espírito Santo is still scanty, although the geographic proximity and similar climatic features. Sporothrix brasiliensis was the agent in the feline‐transmitted cases. Sporothrix globosa was isolated from a patient with fixed cutaneous lesions that did not report any contact with diseased animals. In conclusion, beyond the borders of Rio de Janeiro epidemic, agents of sporotrichosis in Espírito Santo show a scattered occurrence with high species diversity.
Epidemiology of candidaemia in a tertiary care university hospital: 10‐year experience with 381 candidaemia episodes between 2001 and 2010
Authors: Alp Sehnaz , Arikan‐Akdagli Sevtap , Gulmez Dolunay , Ascioglu Sibel , Uzun Omrum , Akova Murat 
Published: July 2015

SummaryDefining the epidemiology of and risk factors for candidaemia is necessary to guide empirical treatment. The objectives of this study were to determine the ranking of Candida among positive blood cultures, to define the epidemiology of candidaemia and to investigate patient characteristics and their relationship with C. albicans vs. non‐albicans Candida (NAC) candidaemia. Candidaemia episodes between January 2001 and December 2010 were evaluated retrospectively. Patient characteristics were compared across Candida species. Candida ranked as the fifth most frequently isolated pathogen. Among 381 candidaemia episodes, 58.3% were due to C. albicans, followed by C. parapsilosis (15.2%), C. tropicalis (13.4%) and C. glabrata (6.8%). No statistically significant difference was observed in the distribution of C. albicans vs. NAC (P = 0.432). Patients with NAC had significantly higher rates of haematological disorders (P < 0.001) and neutropenia (P = 0.003), and were older (P = 0.024) than patients with C. albicans, whereas patients with urinary catheters had higher rates of C. albicans (P = 0.007). On species basis, C. tropicalis was more frequently isolated from patients with haematological disorders (P < 0.001) and neutropenia (P = 0.008). Patients with urinary catheters were less likely to have C. parapsilosis (P = 0.043). C. glabrata was most prevalent among patients with solid organ tumours (P = 0.038), but not evident in patients with haematological disorders. Local epidemiological features and risk factors may have important implications for the management of candidaemia.
Evaluation of improvement of onychomycosis in HIV‐infected patients after initiation of combined antiretroviral therapy without antifungal treatment
Authors: Ruíz‐López Patricia , Moreno‐Coutiño Gabriela , Fernández‐Martínez Ramón , Espinoza‐Hernández Jessica , Rodríguez‐Zulueta Patricia , Reyes‐Terán Gustavo 
Published: July 2015

SummaryOnychomycosis in HIV‐infected patients has a prevalence of 20–44% and is more frequently seen with CD4+ T cell counts ≤450 cel μl−1. There are case reports of improvement in onychomycosis after initiation of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), but there are no prospective studies that prove the existence and frequency of this phenomenon. The aim of this study was to evaluate if HIV‐infected patients with onychomycosis who begin cART improve and/or cure without antifungal treatment. We included HIV‐infected patients with onychomycosis who had not started cART and nor received antifungal therapy during 6 months prior to the study. We evaluated affected the nails with the Onychomycosis Severity Index (OSI); nail scrapings were collected and direct microscopy with potassium hydroxide (KOH) as well as mycological culture were performed. We repeated these procedures at 3 and 6 months to assess changes. CD4 T cell counts and HIV viral load were obtained. A total of 16 patients were included, with male gender predominance (68.7%); distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (DLSO) was the most common form (31.3%). Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated microorganism. OSI decreased 21.5% at 3 months and 40% at 6 months after initiation of antiretrovirals (P = 0.05). We found a non‐significant tendency towards improvement with higher CD4+ T cell counts and with viral loads <100 000 copies ml−1. This could be due to the increase in CD4+ T cells, decreased percentage of Treg (CD4+CD25+) among CD4+ Tcells and/or a decreased viral load; further studies are necessary to prove these hypothesis.
Nutritional status and immune response in murine experimental Jorge Lobo's disease
Authors: Barbosa Adriana Sierra Assencio Almeida , Diório Suzana Madeira , Pedrini Silvia Cristina Barboza , Silva Sônia Maria Uso Ruiz , Sartori Beatriz Gomes Carreira , Calvi Sueli Aparecida , Pereira Paulo Câmara Marques , Vilani‐Moreno Fátima Regina 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThere are no studies investigating the role of nutritional status and immunity associated with Jorge Lobo's disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of protein‐calorie malnutrition on the immune response of BALB/c mice inoculated with Lacazia loboi. In this study,the animals were divided into four groups: G1: inoculated with restricted diet, G2: not inoculated with restricted diet, G3: inoculated with regular diet, G4: not inoculated with regular diet. The animals of groups G1 and G2 were submitted to malnutrition for 20 days and once installed the animals were inoculated intradermally into the footpad. After 4 months, they were euthanised for the isolation of peritoneal lavage cells and removal of the footpad. The production of IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐12, IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, H2O2 and nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated in the peritoneal lavage cells. The footpad was evaluated regarding the size of macroscopic lesions, number of fungi and viability index. The results showed that the infection did not exert great influence on the body weight of the mice and previous malnutrition was an unfavourable factor for viability index, number of fungi, macroscopic lesion size in the footpad and production of H2O2, NO, IL‐12, IL‐10 and IFN‐γ, suggesting that malnutrition significantly altered fungal activity and peritoneal cells. The results suggest considerable interaction between nutrition and immunity in Jorge Lobo's disease.
Change of function of the wheat stress‐responsive transcriptional repressor TaRAP2.1L by repressor motif modification
Authors: Amalraj Amritha , Luang Sukanya , Kumar Manoj Yadav , Sornaraj Pradeep , Eini Omid , Kovalchuk Nataliya , Bazanova Natalia , Li Yuan , Yang Nannan , Eliby Serik , Langridge Peter , Hrmova Maria , Lopato Sergiy 
Published: July 2015

SummaryPlants respond to abiotic stresses by changes in gene regulation, including stress‐inducible expression of transcriptional activators and repressors. One of the best characterized families of drought‐related transcription factors are dehydration‐responsive element binding (DREB) proteins, known as C‐repeat binding factors (CBF). The wheat DREB/CBF gene TaRAP2.1L was isolated from drought‐affected tissues using a dehydration‐responsive element (DRE) as bait in a yeast one‐hybrid screen. TaRAP2.1L is induced by elevated abscisic acid, drought and cold. A C‐terminal ethylene responsive factor‐associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) motif, known to be responsible for active repression of target genes, was identified in the TaRAP2.1L protein. It was found that TaRAP2.1L has a unique selectivity of DNA‐binding, which differs from that of DREB activators. This binding selectivity remains unchanged in a TaRAP2.1L variant with an inactivated EAR motif (TaRAP2.1Lmut). To study the role of the TaRAP2.1L repressor activity associated with the EAR motif in planta, transgenic wheat overexpressing native or mutated TaRAP2.1L was generated. Overexpression of TaRAP2.1L under constitutive and stress‐inducible promoters in transgenic wheat and barley led to dwarfism and decreased frost tolerance. By contrast, constitutive overexpression of the TaRAP2.1Lmut gene had little or no negative influence on wheat development or grain yield. Transgenic lines with the TaRAP2.1Lmut transgene had an enhanced ability to survive frost and drought. The improved stress tolerance is attributed to up‐regulation of several stress‐related genes known to be downstream genes of DREB/CBF activators.
Subungual Congenital Nevus with Recurrent Nevus Phenomenon
Authors: El‐Khayat Rami H. , Rashid Abid , Walsh Maureen Y. , McKenna Kevin E. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMelanonychia is uncommon. We report the first case of histopathologic recurrence of a completely excised subungual congenital nevus that presented as congenital melanonychia
Proteomic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh responses to a generalist sucking pest (Myzus persicae Sulzer)
Authors: Truong D.‐H. , Bauwens J. , Delaplace P. , Mazzucchelli G. , Lognay G. , Francis F. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractHerbivorous insects can cause severe cellular changes to plant foliage following infestations, depending on feeding behaviour. Here, a proteomic study was conducted to investigate the influence of green peach aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) as a polyphagous pest on the defence response of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh after aphid colony establishment on the host plant (3 days). Analysis of about 574 protein spots on 2‐DE gels revealed 31 differentially expressed protein spots. Twenty out of these 31 differential proteins were selected for analysis by mass spectrometry. In 12 of the 20 analysed spots, we identified seven and nine proteins using MALDI‐TOF‐MS and LC‐ESI‐MS/MS, respectively. Of the analysed spots, 25% contain two proteins. Different metabolic pathways were modulated in Arabidopsis leaves according to aphid feeding: most corresponded to carbohydrate, amino acid and energy metabolism, photosynthesis, defence response and translation. This paper has established a survey of early alterations induced in the proteome of Arabidopsis by M. persicae aphids. It provides valuable insights into the complex responses of plants to biological stress, particularly for herbivorous insects with sucking feeding behaviour.
A Case‐Crossover Study of Temperature and Infant Mortality in California
Authors: Basu Rupa , Pearson Dharshani , Sie Lillian , Broadwin Rachel 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundWhile most research on temperature and mortality has focused on the elderly, little has concentrated on infants, who may also lack thermoregulatory responses to heat exposure.MethodsWe examined mean daily apparent temperature, a combination of temperature and humidity, and infant deaths in California during the warm season of May through October 1999 to 2011. Deaths from all causes and specifically from congenital malformations, sudden infant death syndrome, abnormal gestation duration, respiratory causes, and circulatory causes were considered in a time‐stratified case‐crossover analysis of 12 356 infant deaths.ResultsFor all‐cause mortality, excess risk was 4.4% (95% confidence interval −0.3, 9.2) per 5.6°C increase for average of same day and previous 3 days apparent temperature (lag 03). The associations for apparent temperature and both all‐cause mortality and deaths caused by gestation duration were highest for Black infants (13.3%, 95% CI 0.6, 27.6 and 23.7%, 95% CI −3.3, 58.2, respectively), while White infants had elevated risk for deaths from respiratory causes (44.6%; −0.7, 110.5). We further observed differential effects for neonates (infants aged 28 days and under) and post‐neonates (infants above 28 days and under 1 year), and coastal and non‐coastal regions. These associations remained even after considering criteria air pollutants.ConclusionsThis study suggests that infants are a vulnerable subgroup to heat exposure. Further studies should be conducted with a sufficient number of cases of infant deaths in other locales.
Randomization Inference for Treatment Effect Variation
Authors: Ding Peng , Feller Avi , Miratrix Luke 
Published: July 2015

SummaryApplied researchers are increasingly interested in whether and how treatment effects vary in randomized evaluations, especially variation that is not explained by observed covariates. We propose a model-free approach for testing for the presence of such unexplained variation. To use this randomization-based approach, we must address the fact that the average treatment effect, which is generally the object of interest in randomized experiments, actually acts as a nuisance parameter in this setting. We explore potential solutions and advocate for a method that guarantees valid tests in finite samples despite this nuisance. We also show how this method readily extends to testing for heterogeneity beyond a given model, which can be useful for assessing the sufficiency of a given scientific theory. We finally apply our method to the National Head Start impact study, which is a large-scale randomized evaluation of a Federal preschool programme, finding that there is indeed significant unexplained treatment effect variation.
Effortful Control Mediates Relations Between Children's Attachment Security and their Regard for Rules of Conduct
Authors: Nordling J. K. , Boldt Lea J. , O'Bleness Jessica , Kochanska Grazyna 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAlthough attachment security has been associated with children's rule‐compatible conduct, the mechanism through which attachment influences early regard for rules is not well established. We hypothesized that effortful control would mediate the link between security and indicators of children's emerging regard for rules (discomfort following rule violations, internalization of parents’ and experimenter's rules, few externalizing behaviors). In a longitudinal study, the Attachment Q‐Set was completed by parents, effortful control was observed, and Regard for Rules was observed and rated by parents. The proposed model fit the data well: Children's security to mothers predicted their effortful control, which in turn had a direct link to a greater Regard for Rules. Children's security with fathers did not predict effortful control. The mother‐child relationship appears particularly important for positive developmental cascades of self‐regulation and socialization.
Sex Differences in Preadolescents’ Attachment Strategies: Products of Harsh Environments or of Gender Identity?
Authors: Pauletti Rachel E. , Cooper Patrick J. , Aults Christopher D. , Hodges Ernest V. E. , Perry David G. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe evaluated two hypotheses proposed to account for sex differences in preadolescents’ insecure attachment strategies (more avoidant for boys, more preoccupied for girls). The first hypothesis, rooted in life history theory, is that the sex differences develop among children who experience adverse environmental conditions (e.g., harsh parenting). The second hypothesis, grounded in gender self‐socialization theory, is that the sex differences develop among children who identify confidently with their gender collective. Data from an ethnically/racially diverse sample (443 girls, 420 boys; M age = 11.1 years) supported the second hypothesis: Sex differences were evident mainly among children who felt gender‐typical, were content with their gender, or felt pressure to avoid cross‐sex behavior. Further, sex differences were generally smaller rather than larger among children experiencing adverse environments.