bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbiome change by symbiotic invasion in lichens
Authors: Wedin Mats , Maier Stefanie , Fernandez‐Brime Samantha , Cronholm Bodil , Westberg Martin , Grube Martin 
Published: August 2015

SummaryLichens are obligate symbioses between fungi and green algae or cyanobacteria. Most lichens resynthesize their symbiotic thalli from propagules, but some develop within the structures of already existing lichen symbioses. Diploschistes muscorum starts as a parasite infecting the lichen Cladonia symphycarpa and gradually develops an independent Diploschistes lichen thallus. Here we studied how this process influences lichen‐associated microbiomes and photobionts by sampling four transitional stages, at sites in Sweden and Germany, and characterizing their microbial communities using high‐throughput 16S rRNA gene and photobiont‐specific ITS rDNA sequencing, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. A gradual microbiome shift occurred during the transition, but fractions of Cladonia‐associated bacteria were retained during the process of symbiotic reorganization. Consistent changes observed across sites included a notable decrease in the relative abundance of Alphaproteobacteria with a concomitant increase in Betaproteobacteria. Armatimonadia, Spartobacteria and Acidobacteria also decreased during the infection of Cladonia by Diploschistes. The lichens differed in photobiont specificity. Cladonia symphycarpa was associated with the same algal species at all sites, but Diploschistes muscorum had a flexible strategy with different photobiont combinations at each site. This symbiotic invasion system suggests that partners can be reorganized and selected for maintaining potential roles rather than depending on particular species.
Updated cannulation technique for tissue plasminogen activator injection into peripapillary retinal vein for central retinal vein occlusion
Authors: van Overdam Koen A. , Missotten Tom , Spielberg Leigh H. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractPurposeTo update the surgical technique in which a vitrectomy is performed and a retinal branch vein is cannulated and infused with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (RTPA) to treat central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in patients who present with very low visual acuity (VA).MethodsTwelve consecutive patients (12 eyes) with CRVO and low VA (logMAR >1.00) at presentation were treated using this method.ResultsCannulation of a peripapillary retinal vein and stable injection of RTPA was successfully performed without surgery‐related complications in all 12 eyes. At 12 months after surgery, 8 of the 12 patients (67%) experienced at least one line of improvement in best corrected visual acuity; 6 of the 12 (50%) improved ≥5 lines and 2 (17%) improved ≥8 lines. After additional grid laser and/or subconjunctival or intravitreal corticosteroids, the mean decrease in central foveal thickness was 260 μm, and the mean total macular volume decreased from 12.10 mm3 to 9.24 mm3. Four patients received panretinal photocoagulation to treat either iris neovascularization (n = 2) or neovascularization of the retina and/or disc (n = 2).ConclusionAdministration of RTPA via a peripapillary vein using this updated technique provides an alternative or additional treatment option for patients with very low VA after CRVO.
Complex tritrophic interactions in response to crop domestication: predictions from the wild
Authors: Chen Yolanda H. , Gols Rieta , Stratton Chase A. , Brevik Kristian A. , Benrey Betty 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCrop domestication is the process of artificially selecting plants to increase their suitability to human tastes and cultivated growing conditions. There is increasing evidence that crop domestication can profoundly alter interactions among plants, herbivores, and their natural enemies. However, there are few generalizable predictions on how insect herbivores and natural enemies should respond to artificial selection of specific plant traits. We reviewed the literature to determine how different insect herbivore feeding guilds and natural enemy groups (parasitoids and predators) respond to existing variation in wild and cultivated plant populations for plant traits typically targeted by domestication. Our goal was to look for broad patterns in tritrophic interactions to generate support for a range of potential outcomes from human‐mediated selection. Overall, we found that herbivores benefit from directional selection on traits that have been targeted by domestication, but the effects on natural enemies were less studied and less consistent. In general, herbivores appear to mirror human preferences for higher nutritional content and larger plant structures. In contrast, the general effect of lowered plant secondary metabolites did not always influence herbivores consistently. Given that crop domestication appears to be a transformative process that fundamentally alters insect–plant interactions, we believe that a more detailed understanding of the community‐wide effects of crop domestication is needed to simultaneously stimulate both biological control and plant breeding efforts to enhance sustainable pest control.
Effectiveness of probiotics for preventing infections in the elderly: Systematic review and meta‐analysis – study protocol
Authors: Wachholz P. A. , Nunes V. S. , Nunes H. R. C. , Valle A. P. , Villas Boas P. J. F. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractOlder persons have greater susceptibility to infections than younger adults, with generally more severe and atypical episodes. Probiotics are living microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host when administered in sufficient quantities. Studies in older people receiving probiotic supplementation suggest a potential role of probiotics in infection prevention. We present a systematic review protocol aimed to assess the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of community acquired infection in elderly people living either in the community or in long‐term care facilities. We will include only randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We will comply with the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration and the principles PRISMA Statement. This protocol is registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42014013707).
Is tea a healthy source of hydration?
Authors: Ruxton C. , Phillips F. , Bond T. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAfter water, tea is the most commonly consumed beverage worldwide, with over 80% of adults drinking tea in the UK. Lay concerns about caffeine have led to questions about the suitability of tea as a source of hydration. Several controlled trials have examined the effect of moderate caffeine consumption on fluid balance, from tea or other sources, concluding that intakes of up to 400 mg of caffeine, or six to eight servings of tea daily, are consistent with normal hydration. Unlike water, or other caffeinated beverages, tea is rich in flavonoids: plant compounds associated with health. There is now a growing body of evidence linking regular tea consumption with heart health, cognitive health, dental benefits and bodyweight management suggesting that tea may offer a healthy source of hydration. These studies are discussed in the context of typical tea intakes in the UK.
An analysis of potato consumption habits and diet quality among adults and children in the UK
Authors: Gibson S. , Francis L. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMany people are confused about the nutritional role of potatoes in a healthy, balanced diet. Starchy foods are often under‐regarded by the public and maligned by proponents of low carbohydrate diets, yet carbohydrate should supply around 50% of dietary energy, preferably from sources such as potatoes, pulses and wholegrains. Potatoes provide significant quantities of shortfall micronutrients, yet they do not count as vegetables in 5 A DAY targets. To provide balanced advice, research is needed on potato consumption and its possible nutritional consequences. Therefore we analysed individual dietary records from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008–2012 to investigate potato consumption patterns and associations with nutrient intakes. We hypothesised that high consumption of potatoes would be associated with higher total intakes of potassium, B vitamins and fibre. Across the whole population, potatoes provided 7% of energy, 15% of potassium, 13% of dietary fibre (non‐starch polysaccharide) and vitamin C, 14% of vitamin B6, 10% of folate, 8% of magnesium and 6% of iron. Both very low and very high consumption of potatoes (Q1 and Q5) was associated with lower energy and nutrient intakes, compared with average consumers. Lower micronutrient intakes were most pronounced in Q5 (mean 14.8% energy from potatoes), although Q1 had lowest intakes of potassium, vitamin B6 and thiamin. Food intakes suggest a less healthy, varied dietary pattern among high potato consumers. Conversely, low consumers of potatoes had lower intakes of potassium, thiamin and vitamin B6 (all found in potatoes) despite an apparently health‐conscious dietary pattern that included higher consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish. Our study suggests that based on current habits, a broad range of potato consumption is compatible with good nutrition, while high reliance on potatoes may be associated with an unbalanced diet. To help raise intakes of shortfall nutrients such as potassium and fibre, consumption of potatoes could be encouraged alongside existing healthy eating messages relating to vegetables, fruit and wholegrain foods.
Dietary intervention for osteoarthritis: Clinical trials after the ‘Bone and Joint Decade’
Authors: Davidson R. K. , Clark I. M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is a major social and economic burden that continues to grow globally with no effective disease modifying therapies in the pipeline. Current therapeutic strategies to address pain are largely insufficient and joint replacement for end stage disease is unsustainable. Drug development is particularly difficult and expensive due to the complexity of balancing efficacy and toxicity for chronic diseases. The main risk factors for developing OA are increasing age and obesity. Diet has a clear link to the latter, but also impacts strongly on the ageing process. There is no paucity of pre‐clinical data investigating dietary bioactives and their impact on OA disease models. However clinical trials that test these data using relevant trial design and validated outcome measures are scarce. Current trials focus on vitamin D, fish oil omega fatty acids and curcumin. This review examines recently completed, current or proposed clinical trials of dietary bioactives and their utility in developing an OA therapeutic strategy either prophylactically or as a means of OA management. The number of scientifically high quality trials in the pipeline is low. There is an unmet need for investment in clinical trials of dietary intervention, for developing disease biomarkers (both biochemical and imaging) and refining the definition of OA so that clinically relevant outcome measures can be improved.
Nutrition and health claims in practice
Authors: Buttriss J. L. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe European Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation ensures that any claims on European Union food labels are substantiated by robust scientific evidence; is this promoting innovation in the food industry and enabling consumers to make meaningful food choices? This paper provides an overview of the Regulation and some of the issues that have arisen since its implementation in 2007, with examples. It also discusses several European Commission‐funded projects that are underway, in particular BACCHUS (FP7/2007–2013; 312090: www.bacchus‐fp7.eu) that is providing support to small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises that are considering whether to use or apply for health claims.
Food composition data and public health
Authors: Swan G. , Dodhia S. , Farron‐Wilson M. , Powell N. , Bush M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractGovernment has funded a programme of nutrient analysis of foods for many decades and resulting data have been published in successive editions of McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods. Latest data were published in the seventh summary edition of The Composition of Foods in 2014 and in a revised Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset in 2015. The main purpose of the nutrient analysis programme is to provide data to support estimation of nutrient intakes in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey and other dietary surveys. Changes in the nutrient content of the UK food supply over time are driven by a number of factors including reformulation of processed foods resulting from policies to improve public health. Up‐to‐date nutrient composition data are key to ensuring that estimates of nutrient intakes in UK dietary surveys remain robust.
The ODIN project: Development of food‐based approaches for prevention of vitamin D deficiency throughout life
Authors: Kiely M. , Cashman K. D. ,   the ODIN Consortium
Published: August 2015

AbstractVitamin D deficiency has significant implications for human health throughout life and impacts on healthy growth and development and successful ageing. Persistent knowledge gaps are barriers to developing and implementing a safe and effective public health strategy to prevent vitamin D deficiency and maintain nutritional adequacy throughout the year. The European Commission‐funded ODIN project (Food‐based solutions for optimal vitamin D nutrition and health through the life cycle) will provide the evidence base to prevent vitamin D deficiency and improve nutrition and public health through food. ODIN will deliver the first internationally comparable dataset of vitamin D status and report the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency across Europe for the first time. In a series of dose‐response randomised controlled trials, ODIN will estimate dietary requirements for vitamin D in pregnant women, children, adolescents and adults of South Asian and East African origin resident in Northern European countries. Using clinically validated, disease‐specific cohorts with standardised 25(OH)D data, ODIN will investigate associations between vitamin D status and perinatal outcomes, atopic disease and bone growth in children, and cardiovascular and mortality risk in older adults. We will publish estimates of the distribution of vitamin D intake and serum 25(OH)D concentration resulting from changes in vitamin D in the food supply, accounting for latitude, sun exposure and diet. Utilising advanced food production systems and targeted animal and human feeding studies, ODIN will propose safe, novel and effective food‐based strategies to eradicate vitamin D deficiency that are inclusive, sustainable and affordable.
Gestational age at initial exposure to in utero inflammation influences the extent of diaphragm dysfunction in preterm lambs
Authors: Karisnan Kanakeswary , Bakker Anthony J. , Song Yong , Noble Peter B. , Pillow J. Jane , Pinniger Gavin Jon 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveIn utero infection may critically influence diaphragm development and predispose preterm infants to postnatal respiratory failure. We aimed to determine how frequency and gestational age (GA) at time of intra‐amniotic (IA) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure affects preterm diaphragm function.MethodsPregnant ewes received IA injections of saline or 10‐mg LPS at 7 days or 21 days or weekly injections 21, 14 and 7 days before delivery at 121‐day GA. Foetal lambs were killed with pentobarbitone (150 mg/kg; intravenous). Diaphragm contractile function was measured in vitro. Muscle fibre type, activation of protein synthesis and degradation pathways, pro‐inflammatory signalling and oxidative stress were evaluated using immunofluorescence staining, RT‐qPCR, ELISA, Western blotting and biochemical assay.ResultsIn utero LPS exposure significantly impaired diaphragm contractile function. LPS exposure 7 days before delivery caused maximum specific twitch and tetanic forces 30% lower than controls. When the initial LPS exposure occurred 21 days before delivery maximum specific forces were 40% lower than controls. Earlier LPS exposure also prolonged twitch contraction time, increased fatigue resistance and elevated protein carbonyl content. Despite increased white blood cell counts and interleukin‐6 mRNA expression following weekly LPS exposure, there were no significant differences in contractile properties between exposure 21 days before delivery and repeated LPS groups suggesting that frequency of inflammatory exposure does not influence the severity of contractile dysfunction.ConclusionsGA at time of initial LPS exposure, rather than frequency of exposure, determines the extent of inflammation‐induced diaphragm dysfunction.
D‐Root: a system for cultivating plants with the roots in darkness or under different light conditions
Authors: Silva‐Navas Javier , Moreno‐Risueno Miguel A. , Manzano Concepción , Pallero‐Baena Mercedes , Navarro‐Neila Sara , Téllez‐Robledo Bárbara , Garcia‐Mina Jose M. , Baigorri Roberto , Gallego Francisco Javier , del Pozo Juan C. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryIn nature roots grow in the dark and away from light (negative phototropism). However, most current research in root biology has been carried out with the root system grown in the presence of light. Here, we have engineered a device, called Dark‐Root (D‐Root), to grow plants in vitro with the aerial part exposed to the normal light/dark photoperiod while the roots are in the dark or exposed to specific wavelengths or light intensities. D‐Root provides an efficient system for cultivating a large number of seedlings and easily characterizing root architecture in the dark. At the morphological level, root illumination shortens root length and promotes early emergence of lateral roots, therefore inducing expansion of the root system. Surprisingly, root illumination also affects shoot development, including flowering time. Our analyses also show that root illumination alters the proper response to hormones or abiotic stress (e.g. salt or osmotic stress) and nutrient starvation, enhancing inhibition of root growth. In conclusion, D‐Root provides a growing system closer to the natural one for assaying Arabidopsis plants, and therefore its use will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in root development, hormonal signaling and stress responses.
Modeling the Dynamics of Arboviral Diseases with Vaccination Perspective
Authors: Abboubakar Hamadjam , Kamgang Jean Claude , Nkamba Nkague Leontine , Tieudjo Daniel , Emini Lucas 
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we propose a model of transmission of arboviruses, which take into account a future vaccination strategy in human population. A qualitative analysis based on stability and bifurcation theory reveals that the phenomenon of backward bifurcation may occur; the stable disease-free equilibrium of the model coexists with a stable endemic equilibrium when the associated reproduction number is less than unity. We show that the backward bifurcation phenomenon is caused by the arbovirus induced mortality in humans. Using theВ direct Lyapunov method, we show the global stability of the trivial equilibrium. Through global sensitivity analysis, wedetermine the relative importance of model parameters for disease transmission. Simulation results using a qualitatively stable numerical scheme, are provide to illustrate the impact of vaccination strategy in human community.
Mechanism of Binding to Ebola Virus Glycoprotein by the ZMapp, ZMAb, and MB-003 Cocktail Antibodies
Authors: Davidson Edgar , Bryan Christopher , Fong Rachel H. , Barnes Trevor , Pfaff Jennifer M. , Mabila Manu , Rucker Joseph B. , Doranz Benjamin J. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACT

Cocktails of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that target the surface glycoprotein (GP) of Ebola virus (EBOV) are effective in nonhuman primate models and have been used under emergency compassionate-treatment protocols in human patients. However, the amino acids that form the detailed binding epitopes for the MAbs in the ZMapp, ZMAb, and the related MB-003 cocktails have yet to be identified. Other binding properties that define how each MAb functionally interacts with GP—such as affinity, epitope conservation, and epitope accessibility—also remain largely unknown. To help define how each MAb interacts with GP, here we used comprehensive alanine-scanning mutagenesis (shotgun mutagenesis), neutralization escape, and whole virion binding to define each MAb's specific epitope, epitope accessibility, epitope conservation, and apparent affinity. Each of the six therapeutic MAbs binds nonidentical epitopes in the GP base, glycan cap, or mucin-like domain. Their apparent affinity, epitope complementarity, and epitope accessibility helps explain why MAbs 4G7 and 13C6 are more protective than 2G4 and 1H3. The mucin-like domain MAbs 6D8 and 13F6 bind with the strongest apparent affinity, helping to explain their effectiveness
in vivo
despite their inability to neutralize virus.

IMPORTANCE
Ebola virus disease (EVD) can be caused by four different filovirus family members, including Ebola virus (EBOV), which infected 10 times more people in western Africa over the last year than all previous EVD outbreaks combined, with a number of cases distributed across the globe by travelers. Cocktails of inhibitory monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), such as ZMAb, MB-003, and in particular ZMapp, have demonstrated in animal models some of the most significant therapeutic potential for treating EVD, and in 2014, 15 patients were treated with ZMapp or ZMAb under compassionate-use protocols. Here, we have defined the epitope features for the most important therapeutic MAbs against EBOV developed to date. Defining the epitopes and binding characteristics for these MAbs, as well as the commonly used reference MAb KZ52, helps explain their breadth of reactivity against different ebolavirus species, predict viral evasion against these MAbs, and design new cocktails of MAbs with improved complementarity.