bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Financial Knowledge among Educated Women: Room for Improvement
Authors: MAHDAVI MAHNAZ , HORTON NICHOLAS J. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe examined financial knowledge among educated women with at least a bachelor's degree by analyzing the results from a 2009 survey representing a well‐defined sample (N = 4,344) of alumnae from a highly selective liberal arts college for women. This study found modest levels of financial knowledge with wide variation. Specifically, in the sample of alumnae, respondents in an older cohort, with higher household income, and those who obtained an MBA degree exhibit higher levels of financial knowledge. These results highlighted the need for effective financial education for many college‐educated women.
Secular Trends in Alcohol Drinking Among Danish 15‐Year‐Olds: Comparable Representative Samples From 1988 to 2010
Authors: Andersen Anette , Rasmussen Mette , Bendtsen Pernille , Due Pernille , Holstein Bjørn E. 
Published: February 2014

This study describes the secular trends in weekly intake of beer, wine, liquor, and drunkenness among 15‐year‐olds 1988–2010 (total N = 8,701), a period with several policy initiatives regarding alcohol in Denmark. Data from seven comparative and representative school surveys conducted in 1988, 1991, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010 were used. The proportion of 15‐year‐olds in Denmark who drank alcohol and were drunk increased from 1988 to 2002, but decreased substantially to 2010; for example, the proportion of 15‐year‐old girls who drank beer at least weekly increased from 15% in 1988 to 31% in 2002 and decreased to 7% in 2010. We hypothesize that age limits for purchasing alcohol may have resulted in a decrease in young people's alcohol use.
Effect of the menstrual cycle on inflammatory cytokines in the periodontium
Authors: Khosravisamani M. , Maliji G. , Seyfi S. , Azadmehr A. , Abd Nikfarjam B. , Madadi S. , Jafari S. 
Published: February 2014

Background and ObjectiveThe effects of different levels of steroid hormones, as experienced during puberty, pregnancy and menopause, on the periodontium have been demonstrated, but changes in sex hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, and the influence of these changes on the periodontium, remain unresolved. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the menstrual cycle on the levels of interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) in gingival crevicular fluid and on periodontal clinical parameters, including the gingival bleeding index (GBI) and the modified gingival index (MGI), in periodontally healthy women.Material and MethodsTwenty‐seven periodontally healthy women with a regular menstrual cycle were included in the study. Clinical parameters, including the GBI, the MGI and the simplified oral health index, were recorded during menstruation, ovulation and premenstruation phases (e.g. on days 1–2, 12–14 and 22–24, respectively) of the menstrual cycle. Gingival crevicular fluid and unstimulated saliva were collected, at each study phase, for assessment of IL‐1β, TNF‐α, estrogen and progesterone.ResultsBoth the GBI and the MGI increased significantly during the menstrual cycle, and were significantly higher during ovulation than during menstruation or premenstruation (p < 0.001). No significant change in the simplified oral health index was observed during the menstrual cycle ( p = 0.18). The levels of IL‐1β and TNF‐α increased during the different phases of the menstrual cycle, but only the change in the TNF‐α concentration was significant ( p < 0.05).ConclusionThis study indicated that changes occurring during the menstrual cycle influence the periodontium and induce inflammatory conditions.
HIV co‐infection accelerates decay of humoral responses in spontaneous resolvers of HCV infection
Authors: Liu Y. , Shen T. , Zhang C. , Long L. , Duan Z. , Lu F. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryAcute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is primarily followed by chronic infection, while spontaneous recovery of HCV infection (SR‐HCV) occurs in a minority of those infected. Identification of SR‐HCV clinically depends on two combined indicators, persistently undetectable peripheral HCV RNA and positivity for anti‐HCV. However, the characteristics of dynamic variation in anti‐HCV antibodies in SR‐HCV, especially in those patients co‐infected with HIV, are still undefined. In this study, a cohort of patients infected with HCV through commercial blood collection practices was studied. We found that the annual decreasing rate of anti‐HCV presented a gradually accelerated process in HCV resolvers. However, the variation in the decline of anti‐HCV presented a slowly accelerated process within the early decrease stage and a gradually decelerated process within the latter decrease stage. In addition, we deduced that it expended approximately 16 years from natural HCV recovery to undetectable peripheral anti‐HCV in HCV resolvers co‐infected with HIV, while this time was estimated to be 20 years in SR‐HCV without HIV co‐infection. Our data indicated that the decay of anti‐HCV was accelerated by HIV‐related impairment of immune function. The prevalence of HCV infection may be severely underestimated in this large‐scale retrospective epidemiologic investigation in an HIV‐infected population.
Readiness for behaviour change in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: implications for multidisciplinary care models
Authors: Stewart Karen E. , Haller Deborah L. , Sargeant Carol , Levenson James L. , Puri Puneet , Sanyal Arun J. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsWeight management is a cornerstone of treatment for overweight/obese persons with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This exploratory study sought to: (i) evaluate readiness to change weight‐related behaviours; (ii) assess psychosocial characteristics that may interfere with weight loss; and (iii) evaluate how baseline psychosocial features associate with 6‐month change in weight in persons with NAFLD receiving standard medical care. The purpose of this investigation was to develop hypotheses regarding relationships between psychosocial factors and weight for use in future fully powered studies and clinical interventionsMethodsFifty‐eight overweight/obese participants with NAFLD completed baseline measures of personality, psychiatric symptoms and readiness for behaviour change and were followed up for 6 months in standard care.ResultsOne‐third of participants (31.0%) were not interested in making weight‐related behaviour changes; 58.6% were considering making a change, and 10.4% of individuals were actively working on or preparing to change. Six‐month change in weight was non‐significant and was not associated with baseline readiness for change. Depression, low conscientiousness and high neuroticism were associated with higher weight at 6‐month follow‐up with small to large effect sizes.ConclusionsAlthough participants received nutritional education and guidance, very few individuals presented in the active stage of change. Although readiness for change did not predict subsequent change in weight, personality factors and psychiatric symptoms were associated with weight outcomes. Integrated multidisciplinary approaches that address psychiatric needs and provide behavioural support for weight loss may help patients with NAFLD implement sustained lifestyle changes.
Association of IL28B polymorphisms with peginterferon treatment response in Chinese Han patients with HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Wu Haiqing , Zhao Gangde , Qian Fangxing , Liu Kehui , Xie Jingdong , Zhou Huijuan , Xu Jie , Xu Yumin , Han Yan , Xie Qing , Wang Hui 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimsTo investigate whether IL28B polymorphisms could affect the treatment response to peginterferon alpha (PEG‐IFN) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in the Chinese Han population.MethodsA total of 212 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive patients treated with PEG‐IFN monotherapy were enrolled in this study. Genotype analysis was performed for IL28B rs12980275, rs12979860 and rs8099917 using the MassArray system. Response was defined as cases showing normal aminotransferase (ALT) levels, HBV DNA level < 200 IU/ml and HBeAg seroconversion after 48 weeks of PEG‐IFN therapy.ResultsThe patients were infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype B (44.8%) and C (55.2%) with a total response rate of 34.9%. For the three SNPs, there were significant differences between the response (R) and non‐response (NR) groups both in allele frequencies and genotype distributions. IL28B genotype was independently associated with R for AA vs. N‐AA (OR 2.70, 95% CL 1.21–6.01; P = 0.015) at rs12980275 after adjustment for sex, age, HBV genotype, baseline levels of HBV DNA and ALT. There were similar results for rs12979860 CC vs. N‐CC (OR 2.56, 95% CL 1.15–5.67; P = 0.021) and rs8099917 TT vs. N‐TT (OR 2.80, 95% CL 1.23–6.39; P = 0.015) respectively. Furthermore, one block formed by rs12980275 and rs12979860 was identified in this study. In multivariate analyses, the most common haplotype A‐C was independently associated with high rates of R (OR 2.53, 95% CL 1.20–5.34; P = 0.015).ConclusionsOur study suggested that genetic variations in IL28B may play a critical role in PEG‐IFN efficacy in HBeAg‐positive CHB patients in Han Chinese.
Small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis without inflammatory bowel disease is genetically different from large duct disease
Authors: Næss Sigrid , Björnsson Einar , Anmarkrud Jarl A. , Mamari Said Al , Juran Brian D. , Lazaridis Konstantinos N. , Chapman Roger , Bergquist Annika , Melum Espen , Marsh Steven G. E. , Schrumpf Erik , Lie Benedicte A. , Boberg Kirsten M. , Karlsen Tom H. , Hov Johannes R. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsSmall duct primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is phenotypically a mild version of large duct PSC, but it is unknown whether these phenotypes share aetiology. We aimed to characterize their relationship by investigating genetic associations in the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) complex, which represent the strongest genetic risk factors in large duct PSC.MethodsFour classical HLA loci (HLA‐A, HLA‐B, HLA‐C and HLA‐DRB1) were genotyped in 87 small duct PSC patients, 485 large duct PSC patients and 1117 controls across three geographical regions.ResultsHLA‐DRB1*13:01 (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.4, P = 0.01) and HLA‐B*08 (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.4, P = 0.02) were significantly associated with small duct PSC compared with healthy controls. Based on the observed frequency of HLA‐B*08 in small duct PSC, the strongest risk factor in large duct PSC, an estimated 32% (95% CI 4–65%) of this population can be hypothesized to represent early stages or mild variants of large duct PSC. This subgroup may be constituted by small duct PSC patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which greatly resembled large duct PSC in its HLA association. In contrast, small duct PSC without IBD was only associated with HLA‐DRB1*13:01(P = 0.03) and was otherwise distinctly dissimilar from large duct PSC.ConclusionsSmall duct PSC with IBD resembles large duct PSC in its HLA association and may represent early stages or mild variants of large duct disease. Different HLA associations in small duct PSC without IBD could indicate that this subgroup is a different entity. HLA‐DRB1*13:01 may represent a specific risk factor for inflammatory bile duct disease.
Prospective evaluation of metabolic syndrome and its components among long‐term liver recipients
Authors: Anastácio Lucilene R. , Diniz Kiara G. , Ribeiro Hélem S. , Ferreira Lívia G. , Lima Agnaldo S. , Correia Maria Isabel T. D. , Vilela Eduardo G. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsSurvival after liver transplantation (LTx) has increased. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is widely reported in patients in the early years after LTx; few studies have researched this condition in relatively long‐term liver recipients. To describe, prospectively, the prevalence of MS, its components and its associated factors in relatively long‐term liver recipients.MethodsA total of 117 patients were evaluated in 2008 (median of 3 years after LTx, range 0–13 years) and in 2012 (median of 7 years after LTx, range 3–17 years) for the presence of MS [using modified NCEP Adult Treatment Panel III and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria]; its components; and its associated factors, including demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, clinical, body composition (measured using bioelectric impedance) and dietetic factors.ResultsMS increased over the years (IDF, 43.1–53.3%, P = 0.12; and NCEP, 34.3–44.8%, P = 0.03). Blood glucose increased over the years (98.8 ± 24.7 to 109.2 ± 33.3 mg/dl, P < 0.01), which resulted in an increased prevalence of glucose intolerance (34.2–48.6%, P < 0.01). Waist circumference (93.3 ± 14.3 to 99.4 ± 14.9 cm, P < 0.01) and body fat (30.3 ± 8.9 to 31.8 ± 10.3%, P = 0.03) also increased. The MS associated factors (P < 0.05) were age [Odds ratio (OR) 1.05, confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.11], family history of diabetes (OR 3.38, CI 1.19–9.61), body mass index (BMI) prior to liver disease (OR 1.39, CI 1.19–1.63) and body fat (OR 1.09, CI 1.03–1.14). The MS components were associated (P < 0.05) with greater age, family history of diabetes, current and previous BMI, body fat, current corticosteroid use, lack of exercise and greater carbohydrate and fat intakes.ConclusionMS prevalence increased over the years after LTx because of the increases in waist circumference and blood glucose. MS and its components are associated with modifiable factors, such as greater BMI, body fat and carbohydrate and fat intake.
MicroRNAs: the fine modulators of liver development and function
Authors: Chen Yemiao , Verfaillie Catherine M. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMicroRNAs are a class of small non‐coding RNAs involved in the transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression. The function of miRNAs in liver disease including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatitis, and alcoholic liver disease, have been widely studied and extensively reviewed. Increasing evidence demonstrates that miRNAs also play a critical role in normal liver development and in the fine‐tuning of fundamental biological liver processes. In this review, we highlight the most recent findings on the role of miRNAs in liver specification and differentiation, liver cell development, as well as in the many metabolic functions of the liver, including glucose, lipid, iron and drug metabolism. These findings demonstrate an important role of miRNAs in normal liver development and function. Further researches will be needed to fully understand how miRNAs regulate liver generation and metabolic function, which should then lead to greater insights in liver biology and perhaps open up the possibility to correct errors that cause liver diseases or metabolic disorders.
Shotgun microbial profiling of fossil remains
Authors: Der Sarkissian C. , Ermini L. , Jónsson H. , Alekseev A. N. , Crubezy E. , Shapiro B. , Orlando L. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMillions to billions of DNA sequences can now be generated from ancient skeletal remains thanks to the massive throughput of next‐generation sequencing platforms. Except in cases of exceptional endogenous DNA preservation, most of the sequences isolated from fossil material do not originate from the specimen of interest, but instead reflect environmental organisms that colonized the specimen after death. Here, we characterize the microbial diversity recovered from seven c. 200‐ to 13 000‐year‐old horse bones collected from northern Siberia. We use a robust, taxonomy‐based assignment approach to identify the microorganisms present in ancient DNA extracts and quantify their relative abundance. Our results suggest that molecular preservation niches exist within ancient samples that can potentially be used to characterize the environments from which the remains are recovered. In addition, microbial community profiling of the seven specimens revealed site‐specific environmental signatures. These microbial communities appear to comprise mainly organisms that colonized the fossils recently. Our approach significantly extends the amount of useful data that can be recovered from ancient specimens using a shotgun sequencing approach. In future, it may be possible to correlate, for example, the accumulation of postmortem DNA damage with the presence and/or abundance of particular microbes.
Resequencing studies of nonmodel organisms using closely related reference genomes: optimal experimental designs and bioinformatics approaches for population genomics
Authors: Nevado B. , Ramos‐Onsins S. E. , Perez‐Enciso M. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractDecreasing costs of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) experiments have made a wide range of genomic questions open for study with nonmodel organisms. However, experimental designs and analysis of NGS data from less well‐known species are challenging because of the lack of genomic resources. In this work, we investigate the performance of alternative experimental designs and bioinformatics approaches in estimating variability and neutrality tests based on the site‐frequency‐spectrum (SFS) from individual resequencing data. We pay particular attention to challenges faced in the study of nonmodel organisms, in particular the absence of a species‐specific reference genome, although phylogenetically close genomes are assumed to be available. We compare the performance of three alternative bioinformatics approaches – genotype calling, genotype–haplotype calling and direct estimation without calling genotypes. We find that relying on genotype calls provides biased estimates of population genetic statistics at low to moderate read depth (2–8×). Genotype–haplotype calling returns more accurate estimates irrespective of the divergence to the reference genome, but requires moderate depth (8–20×). Direct estimation without calling genotypes returns the most accurate estimates of variability and of most SFS tests investigated, including at low read depth (2–4×). Studies without species‐specific reference genome should thus aim for low read depth and avoid genotype calling whenever individual genotypes are not essential. Otherwise, aiming for moderate to high depth at the expense of number of individuals, and using genotype–haplotype calling, is recommended.
The CcpA regulon of Streptococcus suis reveals novel insights into the regulation of the streptococcal central carbon metabolism by binding of CcpA to two distinct binding motifs
Authors: Willenborg Jörg , de Greeff Astrid , Jarek Michael , Valentin‐Weigand Peter , Goethe Ralph 
Published: February 2014

SummaryStreptococcus suis (S. suis) is a neglected zoonotic streptococcus causing fatal diseases in humans and in pigs. The transcriptional regulator CcpA (catabolite control protein A) is involved in the metabolic adaptation to different carbohydrate sources and virulence of S. suis and other pathogenic streptococci. In this study, we determined the DNA binding characteristics of CcpA and identified the CcpA regulon during growth of S. suis. Electrophoretic mobility shift analyses showed promiscuous DNA binding of CcpA to cognate cre sites in vitro. In contrast, sequencing of immunoprecipitated chromatin revealed two specific consensus motifs, a pseudo‐palindromic cre motif (WWGAAARCGYTTTCWW) and a novel cre2 motif (TTTTYHWDHHWWTTTY), within the regulatory elements of the genes directly controlled by CcpA. Via these elements CcpA regulates expression of genes involved in carbohydrate uptake and conversion, and in addition in important metabolic pathways of the central carbon metabolism, like glycolysis, mixed‐acid fermentation, and the fragmentary TCA cycle. Furthermore, our analyses provide evidence that CcpA regulates the genes of the central carbon metabolism by binding either the pseudo‐palindromic cre motif or the cre2 motif in a HPr(Ser)∼P independent conformation.
Stringent response processes suppress DNA damage sensitivity caused by deficiency in full‐length translation initiation factor 2 or PriA helicase
Authors: Madison K. Elizabeth , Jones‐Foster Erica N. , Vogt Andrea , Kirtland Turner Sandra , North Stella H. , Nakai Hiroshi 
Published: February 2014

SummaryWhen Escherichia coli grows in the presence of DNA‐damaging agents such as methyl methanesulphonate (MMS), absence of the full‐length form of Translation Initiation Factor 2 (IF2‐1) or deficiency in helicase activity of replication restart protein PriA leads to a considerable loss of viability. MMS sensitivity of these mutants was contingent on the stringent response alarmone (p)ppGpp being at low levels. While zero levels (ppGpp0) greatly aggravated sensitivity, high levels promoted resistance. Moreover, M+ mutations, which suppress amino acid auxotrophy of ppGpp0 strains and which have been found to map to RNA polymerase subunits, largely restored resistance to IF2‐1‐ and PriA helicase‐deficient mutants. The truncated forms IF2‐2/3 played a key part in inducing especially severe negative effects in ppGpp0 cells when restart function priB was knocked out, causing loss of viability and severe cell filamentation, indicative of SOS induction. Even a strain with the wild‐type infB allele exhibited significant filamentation and MMS sensitivity in this background whereas mutations that prevent expression of IF2‐2/3 essentially eliminated filamentation and largely restored MMS resistance. The results suggest different influences of IF2‐1 and IF2‐2/3 on the replication restart system depending on (p)ppGpp levels, each having the capacity to maximize survival under differing growth conditions.
Listeria phage A511, a model for the contractile tail machineries of SPO1‐related bacteriophages
Authors: Habann Matthias , Leiman Petr G. , Vandersteegen Katrien , Van den Bossche An , Lavigne Rob , Shneider Mikhail M. , Bielmann Regula , Eugster Marcel R. , Loessner Martin J. , Klumpp Jochen 
Published: February 2014

SummaryRecognition of the bacterial host and attachment to its surface are two critical steps in phage infection. Here we report the identification of Gp108 as the host receptor‐binding protein of the broad host‐range, virulent Listeria phage A511. The ligands for Gp108 were found to be N‐acetylglucosamine and rhamnose substituents of the wall teichoic acids of the bacterial cell wall. Transmission electron microscopy and immunogold‐labelling allowed us to create a model of the A511 baseplate in which Gp108 forms emanating short tail fibres. Data obtained for related phages, such as Staphylococcus phages ISP and Twort, demonstrate the evolutionary conservation of baseplate components and receptor‐binding proteins within the Spounavirinae subfamily, and contractile tail machineries in general. Our data reveal key elements in the infection process of large phages infecting Gram‐positive bacteria and generate insights into the complex adsorption process of phage A511 to its bacterial host.