bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal and infant factors associated with reasons for introducing solid foods
Authors: Brown Amy , Rowan Hannah 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe current UK Department of Health advice is to introduce solid foods to infants at around 6 months of age, when the infant is showing signs of developmental readiness for solid foods. However, many mothers introduce solid foods before this time, and for a wide variety of reasons, some of which may not promote healthy outcomes. The aim of the current study was to examine infant and maternal characteristics associated with different reasons for introducing solid foods. Seven hundred fifty‐six mothers with an infant aged 6–12 months old completed a questionnaire describing their main reason for introducing solid foods alongside demographic questions, infant weight, gender, breast/formula feeding and timing of introduction to solid foods. The majority of mothers introduced solid foods for reasons explicitly stated in the Department of Health advice as not signs of readiness for solid foods. These reasons centred on perceived infant lack of sleep, hunger or unsettled behaviour. Maternal age, education and parity, infant weight and gender and breast/formula feeding choices were all associated with reasons for introduction. A particular association was found between breastfeeding and perceiving the infant to be hungrier or needing more than milk could offer. Male infants were perceived as hungry and needing more energy than female infants. Notably, signs of readiness may be misinterpreted with some stating this reason for infants weaned prior to 16 weeks. The findings are important for those working to support and educate new parents with the introduction of solid foods in understanding the factors that might influence them.
Differential ferritin interpretation methods that adjust for inflammation yield discrepant iron deficiency prevalence
Authors: Nel Elsmari , Kruger Herculina S. , Baumgartner Jeannine , Faber Mieke , Smuts Cornelius M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe reassessed the iron deficiency (ID) prevalence in a South African trial that formed part of the International Research on Infant Supplementation study by comparing four methods that account for the high prevalence of acute (28.6%) and chronic (41.8%) inflammation observed in the study. Serum ferritin (SF) was measured as marker of iron status in 192 apparently healthy, 4–13‐month‐old infants. Alpha‐1 glycoprotein and C‐reactive protein concentrations were determined to indicate chronic and acute inflammation, respectively. The ID prevalence was obtained by four methods that adjust for inflammation: (1) excluding infants with inflammation; (2) using a higher cut‐off (SF < 30 μg L−1); (3) using different cut‐offs for infants with vs. without inflammation (SF < 30 μg L−1 vs. SF < 12 μg L−1); and (4) adjusting SF concentrations with correction factors (CFs) were compared with a reference method (SF < 12 μg L−1) not accounting for inflammation. Using the higher SF cut‐off method resulted in the highest ID prevalence (52.1%), followed by using two different cut‐offs (31.8%), using CFs (21.9%) and excluding subjects with inflammation (17.6%). The CF method showed the best agreement with the reference method. Disregarding inflammation resulted in a significantly lower ID prevalence (17.2%). ID anaemia (IDA) prevalence ranged from 13.2% to 24.5%, with the lowest prevalence (12.0%) for the reference method. Our analysis highlights the challenge of assessing ID and IDA using only SF as marker of iron status in the presence of inflammation. We demonstrate the importance of measuring inflammation markers to account for their elevating effect on SF.
Heterozygote advantage at MHC DRB may influence response to infectious disease epizootics
Authors: Osborne Amy J. , Pearson John , Negro Sandra S. , Chilvers B. Louise , Kennedy Martin A. , Gemmell Neil J. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe effect of MHC polymorphism on individual fitness variation in the wild remains equivocal; however, much evidence suggests that heterozygote advantage is a major determinant. To understand the contribution of MHC polymorphism to individual disease resistance or susceptibility in natural populations, we investigated two MHC class II B loci, DQB and DRB, in the New Zealand sea lion (NZSL, Phocarctos hookeri). The NZSL is a threatened species which is unusually susceptible to death by bacterial infection at an early age; it has suffered three bacterial induced epizootics resulting in high mortality levels of young pups since 1997. The MHC DQB and DRB haplotypes of dead NZSL pups with known cause of death (bacteria, enteritis or trauma) were sequenced and reconstructed, compared to pups that survived beyond 2 months of age, and distinct MHC DRB allele frequency and genotype differences were identified. Two findings were striking: (i) one DRB allele was present only in dead pups, and (ii) one heterozygous DRB genotype, common in live pups, was absent from dead pups. These results are consistent with some functional relationship with these variants and suggest heterozygote advantage is operating at DRB. We found no association between heterozygosity and fitness at 17 microsatellite loci, indicating that general heterozygosity is not responsible for the effect on fitness detected here. This result may be a consequence of recurrent selection by multiple pathogen assault over recent years and highlights the importance of heterozygote advantage at MHC as a potential mechanism for fitness differences in wild populations.
Different ornaments signal male health and MHC variation in two populations of a warbler
Authors: Whittingham Linda A. , Freeman‐Gallant Corey R. , Taff Conor C. , Dunn Peter O. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractMale traits that signal health and vigour are used by females to choose better quality mates, but in some cases the male trait selected by females differs among populations. Multiple male traits can be maintained through female mate choice if both traits are equally honest indicators of male quality, but tests of this prediction are rare. By choosing males based on such traits, females could gain direct benefits from males (assistance with parental care), but when females choose extra‐pair mates based on these traits, females gain only male sperm, and potentially indirect genetic benefits for their offspring. In common yellowthroats (Geothylpis trichas), female choice of extra‐pair mates targets two different plumage ornaments: the black mask in a Wisconsin population and the yellow bib in a New York population. Previously, we found that the black mask in Wisconsin is related to greater major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II variation, which in turn signals better survival and disease resistance. In this study, we examined the signalling function of the yellow bib in New York to test whether it signals the same aspects of male quality as the black mask in Wisconsin. As predicted, we found that the yellow bib in New York is most closely associated with MHC variation, which also signals survival and resistance to blood parasites. Thus, the ornament preferred by females differs between the two populations, but the different ornaments signal similar aspects of male health and genetic quality, specifically information regarding MHC variation and potential indirect genetic benefits to females.
Revision of fleas of the genus Plocopsylla belonging to the ‘angusticeps–lewisi’ complex in the Andean biogeographic region, with the description of a new species
Authors: SANCHEZ J. , BEAUCOURNU J.‐C. , LARESCHI M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractIn Argentina, the Andean biogeographic region accommodates the most diverse population of fleas in the country. The Craneopsyllinae (Siphonaptera: Stephanocircidae) represent one of the most commonly found subfamilies in this region and show some endemism and high diversity. Plocopsylla is the most diverse genus of Craneopsyllinae; it includes 10 species mainly distributed in the Patagonian subregion, which parasitize sigmodontine rodents (Rodentia: Cricetidae). We describe and illustrate the morphology of the aedeagus in species of Plocopsylla that belong to the ‘angusticeps–lewisi’ complex. This character is of diagnostic value in differentiating among species. A new species of this complex, Plocopsylla (Plocopsylla) linardii sp. n., is described and identified by the shape and chaetotaxy of the distal arm of sternite IX, as well as by the shape of the median dorsal lobe of the aedeagus. New host associations for this complex and range extensions for most of its species are reported. Plocopsylla (P.) silewi is recorded for the first time in Argentina. The southern limits of the distributions of Plocopsylla (P.) lewisi and Plocopsylla (P.) wilesi are extended to Santa Cruz Province. The angusticeps–lewisi complex is found for the first time in San Juan Province. The information may be useful in epidemiological studies of flea‐borne diseases.
Cyclosporin Treatment Improves Skin Findings in Omenn Syndrome
Authors: Caglayan Sozmen Sule , Isik Sakine , Arikan Ayyildiz Zeynep , Yildiz Kaan , Cakır Yasemin , Ozer Erdener , Asilsoy Suna , Uzuner Nevin , Karaman Ozkan , Anal Ozden 
Published: February 2015

AbstractOmenn syndrome is a combined immunodeficiency characterized by a generalized erythematous skin rash, enlarged lymph nodes, hepatosplenomegaly, severe susceptibility to infections, eosinophilia, and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E. A 3‐month‐old girl was admitted to our hospital with a history of recurrent sepsis. Physical examination revealed severe erythroderma, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and failure to thrive. Laboratory findings revealed leukocytosis, lymphocytosis with high CD3 T‐cells, a high CD4:CD8 ratio, absence of CD19 B‐cells, high eosinophil count, and low immunoglobulin levels. A heterozygote RAG1 gene mutation was found. She had itchy, scaling, ichthyosiform erythroderma and protracted diarrhea. Cyclosporin treatment up to 10 mg/kg effectively resolved erythroderma and lowered total eosinophil counts, and she gained weight during treatment. Since extensive erythroderma with generalized itching causes patient discomfort in Omenn syndrome, cyclosporin treatment can be considered while waiting for treatment with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Putting the Public Back into Governance: The Challenges of Citizen Participation and Its Future
Authors: Fung Archon 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe past two decades have seen a proliferation of large‐ and small‐scale experiments in participatory governance. This article takes stock of claims about the potential of citizen participation to advance three values of democratic governance: effectiveness, legitimacy, and social justice. Increasing constraints on the public sector in many societies, combined with increasing demand for individual engagement and the affordances of digital technology, have paved the way for participatory innovations aimed at effective governance. Deepening legitimation deficits of representative government create opportunities for legitimacy‐enhancing forms of citizen participation, but so far, the effect of participation on legitimacy is unclear. Efforts to increase social justice through citizen participation face the greatest obstacles. The article concludes by highlighting three challenges to creating successful participatory governance: the absence of systematic leadership, the lack of popular or elite consensus on the place of direct citizen participation, and the limited scope and powers of participatory innovations.
Currency Exposure to Downside Risk: Which Fundamentals Matter?
Authors: Dobrynskaya Victoria 
Published: February 2015

AbstractI study whether or not countries' macroeconomic characteristics are systematically related to their currencies' exposure to the downside market risk. I find that the currency downside risk is strongly associated with the local inflation rate, real interest rate and net foreign asset position. Currencies of countries with high inflation and real interest rates and negative net foreign asset position (debtor countries) are more exposed to the downside risk whereas currencies of countries with low inflation and real interest rates and positive net foreign asset position (creditor countries) exhibit “safe haven” properties. The local real interest rate has the highest explanatory power in accounting for the cross‐section of currency exposure to the downside risk. This suggests that the high currency exposure to the downside risk is a consequence of investments in high‐yield risky countries and flight from them in “hard times”.
IL‐33 Receptor (ST2) Signalling is Important for Regulation of Th2‐Mediated Airway Inflammation in a Murine Model of Acute Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Authors: Zeng S. , Wu J. , Liu J. , Qi F. , Liu B. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractT1/ST2, an orphan receptor with homology with the interleukin (IL)‐1 receptor family, is the ligand‐binding component of the receptor for the cytokine IL‐33, a newly identified cytokine known to amplify the Th2 cell‐dominant immune responses. The function of IL‐33/ST2 signalling during respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is not fully known. In this study, following intranasal infection with RSV, BALB/c mice showed a marked increase in the production of IL‐33, with an elevated expression of ST2 mRNA as well as a massive infiltration of CD45+ST2+ cells in the lungs, suggesting that during the early phase of RSV infection, IL‐33 target cells which express ST2 on cell surface, may play a critical role for the development of RSV‐induced airway inflammation. Indeed, blocking ST2 signalling using anti‐ST2 monoclonal antibody diminished not only RSV‐induced eosinophil recruitment, but also the amounts of Th2‐associated cytokines, particularly IL‐13, and Th17‐type cytokine IL‐17A in the lungs of infected mice. However, anti‐ST2 antibody treatment did not affect the production of Th1‐type cytokine IFN‐γ as well as pulmonary viral growth and clearance. These results indicate that IL‐33/ST2 signalling is involved in RSV‐induced, Th2‐associated airway inflammation but not protective immunity.
Autoimmune Response to IGF2 mRNA‐Binding Protein 2 (IMP2/p62) in Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu W. , Li Y. , Wang B. , Dai L. , Qian W. , Zhang J.‐Y. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to understand the autoimmune response and immunogenicity of a tumour‐associated antigen IMP2/p62 in breast cancer. Autoantibody responses to IMP2/p62 were evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence assay in sera from patients with breast cancer, benign breast tumour and normal human individuals. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) study with breast cancer tissues was also performed to analyse protein expression of IMP2/p62. The results have demonstrated that IMP2/p62 can induce a relatively higher frequency of autoantibody response in breast cancer (14.3%, 7/49) compared to patients with benign breast tumour (5.6%, 2/36) and normal individuals (2.2%, 1/44). The frequency of IMP2/p62 expression in breast cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (P < 0.01). The data suggest that autoantibody against IMP2/p62 may be a useful serum biomarker for early‐stage breast cancer screening and diagnosis.
Autoimmune risk loci of IL12RB2, IKZF1, XKR6, TMEM39A and CSK in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: You Y. , Zhai Z. F. , Chen F. R. , Chen W. , Hao F. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractRecent genome‐wide or follow‐up studies conducted in European or Caucasian populations have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) conferring increased risk to autoimmune diseases. It is unclear whether these observations can apply to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in China. An association study was performed on 395 SLE patients and 378 healthy controls recruited from the Chinese population, in which the IL12RB2 rs3790567, IKZF1 rs2366293, XKR6 rs4240671, TMEM39A rs1132200 and CSK rs34933034 polymorphisms were examined by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry. The frequency of the A allele of IL12RB2 rs3790567 was lower in the cases compared with the controls (24.8% vs 30.2%, P = 0.018) and significant difference among the AA, AG and GG genotypes of rs3790567 was detected between the SLE patients and healthy controls (P = 0.020). We also found a statistically significant difference in the dominant model (GG+AG vs AA, P = 0.008). There was no correlation between the genotypes and specific sub‐phenotypes in the current cohort. Associations with IKZF1 rs2366293, XKR6 rs4240671, TMEM39A rs1132200 and CSK rs34933034 were also lacking (P > 0.05). The results supported the theory that IL12RB2 is associated with SLE in the Chinese population.
Metagenomic profiling of the viromes of plasma collected from blood donors with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels
Authors: Furuta Rika A. , Sakamoto Hirotaka , Kuroishi Ayumu , Yasiui Kazuta , Matsukura Harumichi , Hirayama Fumiya 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUNDIn Japanese Red Cross (JRC) blood centers, blood collected from donors with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of more than 60 U/L are disqualified even if serologically negative for transfusion‐transmitted infections (TTIs). To assess potential risks of TTIs in plasma with elevated serum ALT levels in the current donor screening program of the JRC, we conducted a metagenomic analysis (MGA) of virome profiles in the plasma of blood donors with or without elevated serum ALT levels.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSBased on serum ALT levels, donors were classified into three groups: “high,” more than 79 U/L; “middle,” 61 to 79 U/L; and “low,” less than 61 U/L. We individually analyzed 100 plasma samples from each group by MGA, employing shotgun sequencing. Viral sequences detected using MGA were partly confirmed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).RESULTSDonors with high and middle ALT levels were significantly younger than those with low ALT levels, and more than 90% were males.Herpesviridae,Anelloviridae,Picornaviridae, andFlaviviridaesequences were identified in plasma samples, and their distribution and frequency were not significantly different among the three groups.CONCLUSIONThe serum ALT test may be unsuitable for monitoring for additional risks of TTIs in blood donors who were negative for typical TTIs using serologic and nucleic acid tests. Although MGA is less sensitive than PCR, it remains the best technology to detect known viruses in these donors.
Optothermal profile of an ablation catheter with integrated microcoil for MR‐thermometry during Nd:YAG laser interstitial thermal therapies of the liver—An in‐vitro experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Kardoulaki Evdokia M. , Syms Richard R. A. , Young Ian R. , Choonee Kaushal , Rea Marc , Gedroyc Wladyslaw M. W. 
Published: February 2015

Purpose:Flexible microcoils integrated with ablation catheters can improve the temperature accuracy during local MR‐thermometry in Nd:YAG laser interstitial thermal therapies. Here, the authors are concerned with obtaining a preliminary confirmation of the clinical utility of the modified catheter. They investigate whether the thin‐film substrate and copper tracks of the printed coil inductor affect the symmetry of the thermal profile, and hence of the lesion produced.Methods:Transmission spectroscopy in the near infrared was performed to test for the attenuation at 1064 nm through the 25 μm thick Kapton substrate of the microcoil. The radial transmission profile of an infrared high‐power, light emitting diode with >80% normalized power at 1064 nm was measured through a cross section of the modified applicator to assess the impact of the copper inductor on the optical profile. The measurements were performed in air, as well as with the applicator surrounded by two types of scattering media; crystals of NaCl and a layer of liver‐mimicking gel phantom. A numerical model based on Huygens–Fresnel principle and finite element simulations, using a commercially available package (COMSOL Multiphysics), were employed to compare with the optical measurements. The impact of the modified optical profile on the thermal symmetry was assessed by examining the high resolution microcoil derived thermal maps from a Nd:YAG laser ablation performed on a liver‐mimicking gel phantom.Results:Less than 30% attenuation through the Kapton film was verified. Shadowing behind the copper tracks was observed in air and the measured radial irradiation correlated well with the diffraction pattern calculated numerically using the Huygens–Fresnel principle. Both optical experiments and simulations, demonstrate that shadowing is mitigated by the scattering properties of a turbid medium. The microcoil derived thermal maps at the end of a Nd:YAG laser ablation performed on a gel phantom in a 3 T scanner confirm that the modified irradiation pattern does not disrupt the thermal symmetry, even though, unlike tissue, the gel is minimally scattering.Conclusions:The results from this initial assessment indicate that microcoils can be safely integrated with ablation catheters and ensure that the complete necrosis of the liver tumor can still be achieved.
Azithromycin Resistance and Its Mechanism in Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains in Hyogo, Japan
Authors: Shigemura Katsumi , Osawa Kayo , Miura Makiko , Tanaka Kazushi , Arakawa Soichi , Shirakawa Toshiro , Fujisawa Masato 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT

Therapeutic options are limited for
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
infection, especially for oral drugs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of
N. gonorrhoeae
to oral azithromycin (AZM) and the correlation between AZM resistance-related gene mutations and MIC. We examined the AZM MICs of clinical strains of
N. gonorrhoeae
, sequenced the peptidyltransferase loop in domain V of 23S rRNA, and investigated the statistical correlation between AZM MIC and the presence and number of the mutations. Among 59
N. gonorrhoeae
strains, our statistical data showed that a deletion mutation was seen significantly more often in the higher-MIC group (0.5 μg/ml or higher) (35/37; 94.6%) than in the lower-MIC group (0.25 μg/ml or less) (4/22; 18.2%) (
P
< 0.0001). However, a mutation of codon 40 (Ala→Asp) in the
mtrR
gene (helix-turn-helix) was seen significantly more often in the lower-MIC group (12/22; 54.5%) (
P
< 0.0001). In
N. gonorrhoeae
multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) analyses, ST4777 was representative of the lower-MIC group and ST1407, ST6798, and ST6800 were representative of the higher-MIC group. NG-MAST type 1407 was detected as the most prevalent type in AZM-resistant or -intermediate strains, as previously described. In conclusion, a deletion mutation in the
mtrR
promoter region may be a significant indicator for higher MIC (0.5 μg/ml or higher). ST4777 was often seen in the lower-MIC group, and ST1407, ST6798, and ST6800 were characteristic of the higher-MIC group. Further research with a greater number of strains would help elucidate the mechanism of AZM resistance in
N. gonorrhoeae
infection.