bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A specific CBP/p300‐dependent gene expression programme drives the metabolic remodelling in late stages of spermatogenesis
Authors: Boussouar F. , Goudarzi A. , Buchou T. , Shiota H. , Barral S. , Debernardi A. , Guardiola P. , Brindle P. , Martinez G. , Arnoult C. , Khochbin S. , Rousseaux S. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryHistone hyperacetylation is thought to drive the replacement of histones by transition proteins that occur in elongating spermatids (ElS) after a general shut down of transcription. The molecular machineries underlying this histone hyperacetylation remain still undefined. Here, we focused our attention on the role of Cbp and p300 in histone hyperacetylation and in the preceding late‐gene transcriptional activity in ElS. A strategy was designed to partially deplete Cbp and p300 in ElS. These cells progressed normally through spermiogenesis and showed normal histone hyperacetylation and removal. However, a genome‐wide transcriptomic analysis, performed in the round spermatids (RS) and ElS, revealed the existence of a gene regulatory circuit encompassing genes presenting high expression levels in pre‐meiotic cells, undergoing a repressed state in spermatocytes and early post‐meiotic cells, but becoming reactivated in ElS, just prior to the global shutdown of transcription. Interestingly, this group of genes was over‐represented within the genes affected by Cbp/p300 knock down and were all involved in metabolic remodelling. This study revealed the occurrence of a tightly regulated Cbp/p300‐dependent gene expression programme that drives a specific metabolic state both in progenitor spermatogenic cells and in late transcriptionally active spermatids and confirmed a special link between Cpb/p300 and cell metabolism programming previously shown in somatic cells.
Prospective associations between dietary patterns and cognitive performance during adolescence
Authors: Nyaradi Anett , Foster Jonathan K. , Hickling Siobhan , Li Jianghong , Ambrosini Gina L. , Jacques Angela , Oddy Wendy H. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to investigate prospective associations between dietary patterns and cognitive performance during adolescence.MethodsParticipants were sourced from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study that includes 2868 children born between 1989 and 1992 in Perth, Western Australia. When the children were 17 years old (2006–2009), cognitive performance was assessed using a computerized cognitive battery of tests (CogState) that included six tasks. Using a food frequency questionnaire administered when the children were 14 years old (2003–2006), ‘Healthy’ and ‘Western’ dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Associations between dietary patterns at 14 years of age and cognitive performance at 17 years of age were assessed prospectively using multivariate regression models.ResultsDietary and cognitive performance data were available for 602 participants. Following adjustment for the ‘Healthy’ dietary pattern, total energy intake, maternal education, family income, father's presence in the family, family functioning and gender, we found that a longer reaction time in the detection task (β = .016; 95% CI: 0.004; 0.028; p = .009) and a higher number of total errors in the Groton Maze Learning Test – delayed recall task (β = .060; 95% CI: 0.006; 0.114; p = .029) were significantly associated with higher scores on the ‘Western’ dietary pattern. The ‘Western’ dietary pattern was characterized by high intakes of take‐away food, red and processed meat, soft drink, fried and refined food. We also found that within the dietary patterns, high intake of fried potato, crisps and red meat had negative associations, while increased fruit and leafy green vegetable intake had positive associations with some aspects of cognitive performance.ConclusionHigher dietary intake of the ‘Western’ dietary pattern at age 14 is associated with diminished cognitive performance 3 years later, at 17 years.
Establishment of an in‐House Loop‐Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) for a Rapid Detection of Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi A at Low‐Resource Settings
Authors: Saffie Nur‐Eliana , Abdullah Julia , Rahman Zaidah A. , Hussin Azura , Ismail Asma , Mohamed Maizan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAn in‐house loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method was established for the detection of Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi A using primers that were designed based on gene coding for putative regulatory protein in S. Typhi (STY4220) and S. Paratyphi A (SSPA3213). This established in‐house LAMP assay gave positive results to all the 14 S. Typhi and 20 S. Paratyphi A isolates used in this study and negative to 20 other Salmonella and 19 non‐Salmonella bacteria. When tested on 60 clinical samples, it gave positive results to 10 clinical samples containing either S. Typhi or S. Paratyphi A and negative to the other 50 samples, which were similar to those results obtained by gold standard culture method. Because of its rapidity and simplicity, this LAMP offers a promising method for the detection of both S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A for screening purposes at resource‐limited settings.Practical ApplicationsCurrent detection methods for S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A have several limitations; culture method is time‐consuming and laborious, while polymerase chain reaction‐based methods require expensive equipments and trained personnel which are usually not available in the low‐resource setting. Therefore, LAMP established in this study offers a simple, rapid, sensitive and specific method for the screening of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A especially at resource‐limited settings.
Propensity scores for confounder adjustment when assessing the effects of medical interventions using nonexperimental study designs
Authors: Stürmer T. , Wyss R. , Glynn R. J. , Brookhart M. A. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractTreatment effects, especially when comparing two or more therapeutic alternatives as in comparative effectiveness research, are likely to be heterogeneous across age, gender, co‐morbidities and co‐medications. Propensity scores (PSs), an alternative to multivariable outcome models to control for measured confounding, have specific advantages in the presence of heterogeneous treatment effects. Implementing PSs using matching or weighting allows us to estimate different overall treatment effects in differently defined populations. Heterogeneous treatment effects can also be due to unmeasured confounding concentrated in those treated contrary to prediction. Sensitivity analyses based on PSs can help to assess such unmeasured confounding. PSs should be considered a primary or secondary analytic strategy in nonexperimental medical research, including pharmacoepidemiology and nonexperimental comparative effectiveness research.
An In Vitro Comparison of the Shear Bond Strengths of Two Different Gingiva‐Colored Materials Bonded to Commercially Pure Titanium and Acrylic Artificial Teeth
Authors: Elzarug Yahya A.M. , Galburt Roger B. , Ali Ala , Finkelman Matthew , Dam Hamasat Gheddaf 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare shear bond strengths between two different gingiva‐colored materials bonded to titanium alloy discs and acrylic resin artificial teeth.Materials and MethodsFor the first part of this study, 30 titanium alloy disc specimens were embedded in autopolymerizing resin. These discs were then divided randomly into two groups: Heat Cure (HT1) and Pink Composite (CT1). The discs were sandblasted with 100 μm aluminum oxide particles. For the HT1 group using silicone molds, a wax‐up was performed. After the wax removal step, heat‐cured acrylic resin was applied and processed according to the manufacturer's recommendations. For the CT1 group using silicone molds, metal primer II and gum opaque were applied and light cured; pink composite was then applied and light cured. For the second part of the study, 30 artificial resin first molar teeth were completely embedded in autopolymerizing resin. Teeth were then divided randomly into two groups: Heat Cure (HT2) and Pink Composite (CT2). For the HT2 group using silicone molds, wax‐up was performed. Specimens were then transferred to be processed in the heat‐cured acrylic resin according to the manufacturer's recommendations. For the CT2 group using silicone molds, composite primer followed by pink composite were applied and light cured. Shear bond tests were performed using an Instron 3345 universal testing machine. The shear load at the point of failure was recorded in Newtons. The force was calculated in MPa by calculating the failure load divided by the surface area. Two independent‐samples t‐tests were performed. A significance level of p < 0.05 was used for comparison.ResultsThis study revealed that the difference in the shear bond strengths of two different gingiva‐colored materials bonded to titanium discs was statistically significant (p = 0.012). The difference in the shear bond strengths of two different gingival‐colored materials bonded to acrylic teeth was statistically significant (p < 0.001).ConclusionIn this in vitro study, heat‐cured acrylic resins exhibited higher bonding strengths when bonded to titanium discs or acrylic artificial teeth in comparison to pink composite resins.
Evaluation of a joint distractor to facilitate arthroscopy of the tibio‐tarsal joint in dogs
Authors: Rodriguez‐Quiros J. , Rovesti G. Luca , Devesa V. , Urrutia P. G. , Roman F. S. 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate the technical feasibility, efficacy and potential soft tissue damage of a joint distraction technique to facilitate arthroscopy of the tibio‐tarsal joint and to test the effect of joint venting on the maximum distraction achieved.MethodsTwenty hocks were preliminarily evaluated radiographically by standard and stressed projections. Joint distraction was applied with loads from 40 N up to 200 N, in 40 N increments, and radiographic images were obtained at each load. The effect of joint venting by an intra‐articular needle was evaluated at the maximum load. Standard and stressed radiographs were repeated to evaluate potential laxity changes.ResultsJoint distraction caused a significant increase in the joint space at each load of distraction except for the 40 to 80 N load increase. Joint venting produced a significant increase in the joint space. No increase of joint laxity could be inferred from the postdistraction radiographic evaluation.Clinical SignificanceHock distraction can be useful to facilitate arthroscopic procedures, increasing the joint space available for intra‐articular manoeuvres. Further clinical studies are required to evaluate potential neurovascular complications.
Experiences of baby‐led weaning: trust, control and renegotiation
Authors: Arden Madelynne A. , Abbott Rachel L. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBaby‐led weaning (BLW) is an approach to introducing solid foods that relies on the presence of self‐feeding skills and is increasing in popularity in the UK and New Zealand. This study aimed to investigate the reported experiences and feelings of mothers using a BLW approach in order to better understand the experiences of the mother and infant, the benefits and challenges of the approach, and the beliefs that underpin these experiences. Fifteen UK mothers were interviewed over the course of a series of five emails using a semi‐structured approach. The email transcripts were anonymised and analysed using thematic analysis. There were four main themes identified from the analysis: (1) trusting the child; (2) parental control and responsibility; (3) precious milk; and (4) renegotiating BLW. The themes identified reflect a range of ideals and pressures that this group of mothers tried to negotiate in order to provide their infants with a positive and healthy introduction to solid foods. One of the key issues of potential concern is the timing at which some of the children ingested complementary foods. Although complementary foods were made available to the infants at 6 months of age, in many cases they were not ingested until much later. These findings have potentially important implications for mother's decision‐making, health professional policy and practice, and future research.
Reasons for raising the maximum acceptable daily intake of EDTA and the benefits for iron fortification of foods for children 6–24 months of age
Authors: Wreesmann Carel Theo Jozef 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe current maximum acceptable daily intake (ADI) of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) of 1.9 mg day−1 per kilogram bodyweight (mg day−1 kgbw−1) limits the daily intake of iron as iron EDTA [ferric sodium EDTA; sodium iron(III) EDTA] to approximately 2–2.5 mg day−1 for children 6–24 months of age. This limit was defined by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) in 1973 based on data from an animal‐feed study published in 1963. Other animal studies indicate that this limit can be raised to 4.4 or possibly up to 21.7 mg day−1 kgbw−1, which is 2.3–11.4 times higher than the current value. For nearly 50 years, iron EDTA has been used in France in medicinal syrup for infants 1–6 months of age. The maximum recommended dosage of this drug is 37 times higher than the maximum ADI of EDTA. No adverse health effects have been reported as a result of this medicinal consumption of iron EDTA. Raising the maximum ADI of EDTA to only 4.4 mg day−1 kgbw−1 would enable iron EDTA, an iron fortificant with proven bioavailability in phytate‐rich meals, to be added in adequate amounts to cereal‐based meals for children 6–24 months of age, who are at risk of iron deficiency.
The last half‐repeat of transcription activator‐like effector (TALE) is dispensable and thereby TALE‐based technology can be simplified
Authors: Zheng Chong‐Ke , Wang Chun‐Lian , Zhang Xiao‐Ping , Wang Fu‐Jun , Qin Teng‐Fei , Zhao Kai‐Jun 
Published: February 2014

SummaryTo activate the expression of host genes that contribute to pathogen growth, pathogenic Xanthomonas bacteria inject their transcription activator‐like effectors (TALEs) into plant cells and the TALEs bind to target gene promoters by the central repeat region consisting of near‐perfect 34‐amino‐acid repeats (34‐aa repeats). Based on the recognition codes between the 34‐aa repeats and the targeted nucleotides, TALE‐based technologies, such as designer TALEs (dTALEs) and TALE nucleases (TALENs), have been developed. Amazingly, every natural TALE invariantly has a truncated last half‐repeat (LHR) at the end of the 34‐aa repeats. Consequently, all the reported dTALEs and TALENs also harbour their LHRs. Here, we show that the LHRs in dTALEs are dispensable for the function of gene activation by both transient expression assays in Nicotiana benthamiana and gene‐specific targeting in the rice genome, indicating that TALEs might originate from a single progenitor. In the light of this finding, we demonstrate that dTALEs can be constructed through two simple steps. Moreover, the activation strengths of dTALEs lacking the LHR are comparable with those of dTALEs harbouring the LHR. Our results provide new insights into the origin of natural TALEs, and will facilitate the simplification of the design and assembly of TALE‐based tools, such as dTALEs and TALENs, in the near future.
Effects of virus on plant fecundity and population dynamics
Authors: Prendeville Holly R. , Tenhumberg Brigitte , Pilson Diana 
Published: February 2014

Summary

Microorganisms are ubiquitous and thought to regulate host populations. Although microorganisms can be pathogenic and affect components of fitness, few studies have examined their effects on wild plant populations. As individual traits might not contribute equally to changes in population growth rate, it is essential to examine the entire life cycle to determine how microorganisms affect host population dynamics.

In this study, we used data from common garden experiments with plants from three Cucurbita pepo populations exposed to three virus treatments. These data were used to parameterize a deterministic matrix model, which allowed us to estimate the effect of virus on components of fitness and population growth rate.

Virus did not reduce fruit number, but population growth rates varied among virus treatments and wild C. pepo populations. The effect of virus on population growth rate depended on virus species and wild C. pepo population.

Contributions of life‐history transitions and life‐history traits to population growth rates varied among populations and virus treatments. However, this population–virus interaction was not evident when examining individual components of fitness. Thus, caution must be used when interpreting the effects of changes in individual traits, as single traits do not always predict population‐level change accurately.
Depression and Outcome among Veterans with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators with or without Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Capability
Authors: SHALABY ALAA A. , BRUMBERG GENEVIEVE E. , POINTER LAUREN , BEKELMAN DAVID B. , RUMSFELD JOHN S. , YANG YANFEI , PELLEGRINI CARA N. , HEIDENREICH PAUL A. , KEUNG EDMUND , MASSIE BARRY M. , VAROSY PAUL D. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundThe impact of depression on outcome in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients has not been fully appreciated. We assessed the prevalence of depression and its association with heart failure (HF) outcome among veterans with ICDs.Methods and ResultsPatients enrolled between January 2005 and January 2010 in the Outcomes among Veterans with Implantable Defibrillators Registry were studied. We examined the cross‐sectional association of depression with severity of HF functional class as well as the association of depression with the composite outcome of mortality or HF hospitalization over a mean follow‐up time of 2.7 years. There were 3,862 patients enrolled. Patients with depression (1,162, 43%) were younger (63.1 ± 9.4 years vs 66.6 ± 9.9 years, P < 0.001), more likely to have a history of tobacco or alcohol abuse (P < 0.0001) or atrial fibrillation (P = 0.05) while having a higher ejection fraction (28.3% vs 27.4%, P = 0.03). Depression was associated with advanced HF class at time of implant; odds ratio (OR; vs class I) for class III: 1.65 (confidence interval [CI] 1.17–2.33), class IV: 1.73 (95% CI 1.08–2.76). Death or HF hospitalization was more likely to occur in patients with depression (35.2% vs 32.0%, HR: 1.15 [95% CI 0.99–1.33]). The predictive value of depression was stronger after multivariable adjustment; HR: 1.25 (95% CI 1.05–1.49).ConclusionDepression was prevalent among veterans with ICDs. Depression was associated with severity of HF. The predictive value of associated depression was significant after multivariable adjustment.
Neonatal oxygen exposure alters airway hyper‐responsiveness but not the response to allergen challenge in adult mice
Authors: Regal Jean F. , Lawrence B. Paige , Johnson Alex C. , Lojovich Sarah J. , O'Reilly Michael A. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundInfants born prematurely are often treated with supplemental oxygen, which can increase their risk for airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR), asthma, reduced lung function, and altered responses to respiratory viral infections later in childhood. Likewise, exposure of newborn mice to hyperoxia alters baseline pulmonary mechanics and the host response to influenza A virus infection in adult mice. Here, we use this mouse model to test the hypothesis that neonatal hyperoxia also promotes AHR and exacerbated allergen‐induced symptoms in adult mice.MethodsBaseline lung mechanics and AHR measured by methacholine provocation were assessed in adult male and female mice exposed to room air or 100% oxygen (hyperoxia) between post‐natal days 0–4. AHR and lung inflammation were evaluated after adult female mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) plus alum and challenged with aerosolized OVA.ResultsBaseline lung compliance increased and resistance decreased in adult female, but not male, mice exposed to neonatal hyperoxia compared with siblings exposed to room air. Neonatal hyperoxia significantly enhanced methacholine‐induced AHR in female mice, but did not affect allergen‐induced AHR to methacholine or lung inflammation.ConclusionIncreased incidence of AHR and asthma is reported in children born prematurely and exposed to supplemental oxygen. Our findings in adult female mice exposed to hyperoxia as neonates suggest that this AHR reported in children born prematurely may reflect non‐atopic wheezing due to intrinsic structural changes in airway development.
CYP77A19 and CYP77A20 characterized from Solanum tuberosum oxidize fatty acids in vitro and partially restore the wild phenotype in an Arabidopsis thaliana cutin mutant
Authors: GRAUSEM B. , WIDEMANN E. , VERDIER G. , NOSBÜSCH D. , AUBERT Y. , BEISSON F. , SCHREIBER L. , FRANKE R. , PINOT F. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractCutin and suberin represent lipophilic polymers forming plant/environment interfaces in leaves and roots. Despite recent progress in Arabidopsis, there is still a lack on information concerning cutin and suberin synthesis, especially in crops. Based on sequence homology, we isolated two cDNA clones of new cytochrome P450s, CYP77A19 and CYP77A20 from potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum). Both enzymes hydroxylated lauric acid (C12:0) on position ω‐1 to ω‐5. They oxidized fatty acids with chain length ranging from C12 to C18 and catalysed hydroxylation of 16‐hydroxypalmitic acid leading to dihydroxypalmitic (DHP) acids, the major C16 cutin and suberin monomers. CYP77A19 also produced epoxides from linoleic acid (C18:2). Exploration of expression pattern in potato by RT‐qPCR revealed the presence of transcripts in all tissues tested with the highest expression in the seed compared with leaves. Water stress enhanced their expression level in roots but not in leaves. Application of methyl jasmonate specifically induced CYP77A19 expression. Expression of either gene in the Arabidopsis null mutant cyp77a6‐1 defective in flower cutin restored petal cuticular impermeability. Nanoridges were also observed in CYP77A20‐expressing lines. However, only very low levels of the major flower cutin monomer 10,16‐dihydroxypalmitate and no C18 epoxy monomers were found in the cutin of the complemented lines.