bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exome Sequencing Identifies a Novel FOXP3 Mutation in a 2‐Generation Family With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Okou David T. , Mondal Kajari , Faubion William A. , Kobrynski Lisa J. , Denson Lee A. , Mulle Jennifer G. , Ramachandran Dhanya , Xiong Yuning , Svingen Phyllis , Patel Viren , Bose Promita , Waters Jon P. , Prahalad Sampath , Cutler David J. , Zwick Michael E. , Kugathasan Subra 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTObjectives:Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is heritable, but a total of 163 variants commonly implicated in IBD pathogenesis account for only 25% of the heritability. Rare, highly penetrant genetic variants may also explain mendelian forms of IBD and some of the missing heritability. To test the hypothesis that rare loss‐of‐function mutations can be causative, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on 5 members of a 2‐generation family of European ancestry presenting with an early‐onset and atypical form of IBD.Methods:WES was performed for all of the 5 family members; the mother and 3 male offspring were affected, whereas the father was unaffected. Mapping, annotation, and filtering criteria were used to reduce candidate variants. For functional testing we performed forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) staining and a T‐cell suppression assay.Results:We identified a novel missense variant in exon 6 of the X‐linked FOXP3 gene. The c.694A>C substitution in FOXP3 results in a cysteine‐to‐glycine change at the protein position 232 that is completely conserved among all vertebrates. This variant (heterozygous in the mother and hemizygous in all 3 affected sons) did not impair FOXP3 protein expression, but significantly reduced the ability of the host's T regulatory cells to suppress an inappropriate autoimmune response. The variant results in a milder immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, and X‐linked phenotype with early‐onset IBD.Conclusions:Our study illustrates the successful application of WES for making a definitive molecular diagnosis in a case of multiply affected families, with atypical IBD‐like phenotype. Our results also have important implications for disease biology and disease‐directed therapeutic development.
Effect of Fludrocortisone Acetate on Chronic Unexplained Nausea and Abdominal Pain in Children With Orthostatic Intolerance
Authors: Fortunato John E. , Wagoner Ashley L. , Harbinson Rachel L. , D'Agostino Ralph B. , Shaltout Hossam A. , Diz Debra I. 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTBackground:We hypothesized that orthostatic intolerance (OI) is associated with gastric dysrhythmias, nausea, and abdominal pain, which improves using fludrocortisone to treat OI.Methods:Patients (n = 16, girls) with OI completed questionnaires before and after fludrocortisone treatment (age 14.8 ± 2.8 years). Ten patients underwent electrogastrograms (EGGs) before fludrocortisone.Results:All EGGs showed gastric dysrhythmias. Fludrocortisone reduced mean scores as follows: nausea, 3.1 ± 0.8 to 2.1 ± 1.1 (P = 0.016); dizziness, 3.0 ± 1.0 to 2.2 ± 1.1 (P = 0.0371); abdominal pain, 2.8 ± 1.3 to 1.9 ± 1.4 (P = 0.0063); flushing, 2.3 ± 1.2 to 1.5 ± 1.4 (P = 0.0476); and missing school, 2.2 ± 1.5 to 1.2 ± 1.5 (P = 0.0078).Conclusions:Chronic nausea and abdominal pain accompany OI and improve with OI treatment.
Shifts in stability and control effectiveness during evolution of Paraves support aerial maneuvering hypotheses for flight origin
Authors: Evangelista Dennis , Cam Sharlene , Huynh Tony , Kwong Austin , Mehrabani Homayun , Tse Kyle , Dudley Robert 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTThe capacity for aerial maneuvering was likely a major influence on the evolution of flying animals. Here we evaluate consequences of paravian morphology for aerial performance (Dudley and Yanoviak, 2011; Smith, 1952) by quantifying static stability and control effectiveness of physical models (Evangelista et al., 2014) for numerous taxa sampled from within the lineage leading to birds (Paraves, Xu et al., 2011; Gauthier and Padian, 1985). Results of aerodynamic testing are mapped phylogenetically (Maddison and Maddison, 2010; Zhou and Li, 2010; Li et al., 2010; O’Connor et al., 2011; Cracraft et al., 2004) to examine how maneuvering characteristics correlate with tail shortening, fore-and hindwing elaboration, and other morphological features. In the evolution of Paraves we observe shifts from static stability to inherently unstable aerial planforms; control effectiveness also migrated from tails to the forewings. These shifts suggest that some degree of aerodynamic control and and capacity for maneuvering preceded the evolution of strong power stroke. The timing of shifts also suggests features normally considered in light of development of a power stroke may play important roles in control.
A Hedonic Analysis of Nutrition and Health Claims on Fruit Beverage Products
Authors: Szathvary Serena , Trestini Samuele 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis paper investigates the effects on prices of nutrition and health claims for foodstuffs, in addition to other attributes, using fruit beverages as a case study. The model estimation is based on revealed purchasing behaviour for fruit beverages in the north‐east of Italy. Applying an hedonic price model, the price of a product is explained as a function of product attributes. The model estimate identifies the implicit retail‐market‐level price of specific attributes such as nutrition and health claims, ceteris paribus. Nutrition and health claims significantly affect retail prices. Our findings suggest that retail price response to nutrition and health claims differs in relation to other product attributes, showing a strong reduction of price variation among flavours when such benefits are claimed on the label.
Effect of Arteriovenous Hemodialysis Shunt Location on Cardiac Events in Patients Having Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Using an Internal Thoracic Artery
Authors: Feldman Leonid , Tkacheva Inna , Efrati Shai , Rabin Igor , Beberashvili Ilia , Gorelik Oleg , Averbukh Zhan , Shani Michal 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe possibility of developing coronary steal in patients having coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) using internal thoracic artery (ITA) and ipsilateral upper extremity arteriovenous (AV) hemodialysis shunt has been reported. The impact of this phenomenon on clinical outcomes is uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate an association between the AV dialysis shunt location regarding the side of the ITA CABG and clinical outcomes. This retrospective cohort study included chronic hemodialysis patients having ITA CABG and upper extremity AV shunt. The patients were divided into two groups: those with ipsilateral and those with contralateral location of ITA CABG and AV shunt. The outcomes were: death from any cause, cardiac death and a first cardiac event. In a group of 112 chronic hemodialysis patients having CABG, 32 had an ipsilateral and 25 had a contralateral location of ITA CABG and an upper extremity AV shunt. Significantly more cardiac events occurred in the group with an ipsilateral compared to a contralateral location of ITA CABGs and dialysis AV shunts (hazard ratio, 2.16 [95% CI, 1.11 to 4.19], P = 0.023). There was no difference between the groups in the all cause mortality risk (hazard ratio, 1.005 [95% CI, 0.43 to 2.37], P = 0.990) or the risk of cardiac death (hazard ratio, 2.43 [95% CI, 0.64 to 9.17], P = 0.191). The ipsilateral location of a CABG with the use of ITA and upper extremity AV hemodialysis shunt may be associated with increased risk of cardiac events.
Comparison of the Hedonic General Labeled Magnitude Scale with the Hedonic 9‐Point Scale
Authors: Kalva Jaclyn J. , Sims Charles A. , Puentes Lorenzo A. , Snyder Derek J. , Bartoshuk Linda M. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe hedonic 9‐point scale was designed to compare palatability among different food items; however, it has also been used occasionally to compare individuals and groups. Such comparisons can be invalid because scale labels (for example, “like extremely”) can denote systematically different hedonic intensities across some groups. Addressing this problem, the hedonic general Labeled Magnitude Scale (gLMS) frames affective experience in terms of the strongest imaginable liking/disliking of any kind, which can yield valid group comparisons of food palatability provided extreme hedonic experiences are unrelated to food. For each scale, 200 panelists rated affect for remembered food products (including favorite and least favorite foods) and sampled foods; they also sampled taste stimuli (quinine, sucrose, NaCl, citric acid) and rated their intensity. Finally, subjects identified experiences representing the endpoints of the hedonic gLMS. Both scales were similar in their ability to detect within‐subject hedonic differences across a range of food experiences, but group comparisons favored the hedonic gLMS. With the 9‐point scale, extreme labels were strongly associated with extremes in food affect. In contrast, gLMS data showed that scale extremes referenced nonfood experiences. Perceived taste intensity significantly influenced differences in food liking/disliking (for example, those experiencing the most intense tastes, called supertasters, showed more extreme liking and disliking for their favorite and least favorite foods). Scales like the hedonic gLMS are suitable for across‐group comparisons of food palatability.
Salmonid alphavirus replication in mosquito cells: towards a novel vaccine production system
Authors: Hikke Mia C. , Verest Marjan , Vlak Just M. , Pijlman Gorben P. 
Published: January 2014

SummarySalmonid alphavirus (SAV) causes pancreas disease and sleeping disease in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and confers a major burden to the aquaculture industry. A commercial inactivated whole virus vaccine propagated in a salmon cell line at low temperature provides effective protection against SAV infections. Alphaviruses (family Togaviridae) are generally transmitted between vertebrate hosts via blood‐sucking arthropod vectors, typically mosquitoes. SAV is unique in this respect because it can be transmitted directly from fish to fish and has no known invertebrate vector. Here, we show for the first time that SAV is able to complete a full infectious cycle within arthropod cells derived from the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. Progeny virus is produced in C6/36 and U4.4. cells in a temperature‐dependent manner (at 15°C but not at 18°C), can be serially passaged and remains infectious to salmonid Chinook salmon embryo cells. This suggests that SAV is not a vertebrate‐restricted alphavirus after all and may have the potential to replicate in invertebrates. The current study also shows the ability of SAV to be propagated in mosquito cells, thereby possibly providing an alternative SAV production system for vaccine applications.
Positive correlations between genomic %AT and genome size within strains of bacterial species
Authors: Bohlin Jon , Sekse Camilla , Skjerve Eystein , Brynildsrud Ola 
Published: January 2014

SummaryGenomic %AT has been found to correlate negatively with genome size in microbes. While microbes with large genomes are often GC rich and free living, AT‐rich bacteria tend to be host associated with smaller genomes. With over 2000 fully sequenced and assembled microbial genomes available, we explored the relationship among genomic %AT, genome size, relative entropy (a measure associated with genetic drift) and fraction of genome islands (GIs) in microbial species with the genomes of more than 10 strains available. A negative correlation with genome size was found in six out of 12 phylogenetic groups and subphyla and a positive correlation in only two. At the species level, we found a trend of positive correlations between genomic %AT and genome size in eight out of 20 species, while only four showed a negative correlation. Estimated chromosomal fractions of GIs were found to correlate positively with genome size in the strains of 14 out of 18 species and genomic %AT in the strains of seven species (two correlated negatively). Although GIs explain most of the observed positive correlations between genomic %AT and size, Chlamydia trachomatis seem to be an exception; therefore, these findings needs to be further explored.
Effects of engineered silver nanoparticles on the growth and activity of ecologically important microbes
Authors: Beddow Jessica , Stolpe Björn , Cole Paula , Lead Jamie R. , Sapp Melanie , Lyons Brett P. , Colbeck Ian , Whitby Corinne 
Published: January 2014

SummaryCurrently, little is known about the impact of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on ecologically important microorganisms such as ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB). We performed a multi‐analytical approach to demonstrate the effects of uncapped nanosilver (uAgNP), capped nanosilver (cAgNP) and Ag2SO4 on the activities of the AOB: Nitrosomonas europaea, Nitrosospira multiformis and Nitrosococcus oceani, and the growth of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis as model bacterial systems in relation to AgNP type and concentration. All Ag treatments caused significant inhibition to the nitrification potential rates (NPRs) of Nitrosomonas europaea (decreased from 34 to < 16.7 μM NH4+ oxidized day−1), Nitrosospira multiformis (decreased from 46 to < 24.8 μM NH4+ oxidized day−1) and Nitrosococcus oceani (decreased from 26 to < 18.4 μM NH4+ oxidized day−1). Escherichia coli‐Ag interactions revealed that the percentage of damaged E. coli cells was 45% greater with Ag2SO4, 39% with cAgNPs and 33% with uAgNPs compared with controls. Generally, the inhibitory effect on AOB NPRs and E. coli/B. subtilis growth was in the following order Ag2SO4 > cAgNP > uAgNP. In conclusion, AgNPs (especially cAgNPs) and Ag2SO4 adversely affected AOB activities and thus have the potential to severely impact key microbially driven processes such as nitrification in the environment.
Recovery after nasal surgery vs. tonsillectomy: discriminant validation of the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale
Authors: ROYSE C. F. , WILLIAMS Z. , PURSER S. , NEWMAN S. 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundInitial validation and feasibility of the Post‐Operative Quality of Recovery Scale (PQRS) was published in 2010. Ongoing validation includes studies to determine whether this scale can discriminate differences in recovery in similar patients having different surgery.MethodsA prospective observational study included 89 patients undergoing nasal surgery and 46 patients undergoing tonsillectomy as the primary surgical procedure. Patients were assessed using the PQRS. Assessments were performed pre‐surgery, at 15 and 40 min, 1 and 3 days, and 3 months after surgery.ResultsTonsillectomy patients were younger [25.0 standard deviation (SD) 17.8 vs. 32.1 SD 18.0 years, P = 0.031] and had shorter anaesthesia duration (29.5 SD 12.6 vs. 42.7 SD 15.8 min, P < 0.01). Tonsillectomy patients had worse recovery in the nociceptive (pain and nausea; P < 0.001), activities of daily living (P < 0.001) and overall recovery (P = 0.025) domains, but were not different in the cognitive, emotive (depression and anxiety) or physiological recovery domains. Complete satisfaction was lower for tonsillectomy (P < 0.001). At 3 months, there was equivalence between groups in all assessments.ConclusionThe study shows the ability of the PQRS to discriminate recovery in different domains. Tonsillectomy has a worse recovery profile over the first 3 days in nociceptive, activities of daily living and overall recovery, which is associated with poorer satisfaction than nasal surgery.
Mortality from diseases, conditions and injuries where alcohol is a necessary cause in the Americas, 2007–09
Authors: Gawryszewski Vilma Pinheiro , Monteiro Maristela G. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimsTo describe mortality from diseases, conditions and injuries where alcohol was a necessary cause in selected countries in the Americas.DesignA descriptive, population‐based study.SettingThe data come from 16 countries in North, Central and South America for the triennium 2007–09 (latest available data).Participants/CasesA total of 238 367 deaths were analyzed.MeasurementsWe calculated age‐adjusted and age‐specific mortality rates by sex and country using the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) mortality database.FindingsThe annual average of deaths where alcohol was a necessary cause in the 16 countries was 79 456 (men comprised 86% and women 14%). People aged 40–59 years represented 55% overall. Most deaths were due to liver diseases (63% overall) and neuropsychiatric disorders (32% overall). Overall age‐adjusted rates/100 000 were higher in El Salvador (27.4), Guatemala (22.3), Nicaragua (21.3) and Mexico (17.8) and lower in Colombia (1.8), Argentina (4.0) and Canada (5.7). The age groups at the highest risk were 54–59 to 64–69 years in most countries. In Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua the rates increased earlier, among those aged 30–49 years. Male rates were higher than female rates in all countries, but the male : female ratio varied widely.ConclusionsDiseases, conditions or injuries where alcohol is a necessary cause are an important cause of premature mortality in the Americas, especially among men. Some countries show high risk of dying from this group of causes.
The Spirits are Crying: Dispossessing Land and Possessing Bodies in Rural Cambodia
Authors: Beban Alice , Work Courtney 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn 2009, a land spirit disrupted plantation development within a contested Economic Land Concession in Cambodia. The spirit, along with efforts of a monk and NGO, ultimately persuaded state officials to return 5 ha of land to the local temple. In this paper, we bring together literature on the anthropology of religion, political economy of land possession, and critical development studies; we demonstrate that land spirits continue as members of political patronage chains at both the state and the local level, and show how the non‐capitalist logics of spirit negotiations both challenged and legitimized large‐scale land acquisition projects. The spirit was not subsumed by, but rather shaped, contemporary capitalist expansion in ways that call for a critical examination of the ontological certainty that all land is designed for human production and consumption.
M‐learning adequacy and perceptions of students and teachers in secondary schools
Authors: Ozdamli Fezile , Uzunboylu Huseyin 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn recent years, the use of mobile technologies has increased in a number of fields such as banking, economy, tourism, entertainment, library research, etc. These developments have also led to the use of mobile technologies for educational purposes. The successful integration of mobile learning (m‐learning) technologies in education primarily demands that teachers' and students' adequacy and perceptions of such technology should be determined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare teachers' and students' abilities and perceptions concerning m‐learning. Research data for the analysis were obtained from a sample of 467 teachers and 1556 students from 32 schools that were surveyed in Northern Cyprus. Based on our results, we conclude that teachers and students want to use m‐learning in education. Their perceptions are positive but their m‐learning adequacy levels are not sufficient.
Protective and Detrimental Roles for Regulatory T Cells in a Viral Model for Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Martinez Nicholas E. , Karlsson Fridrik , Sato Fumitaka , Kawai Eiichiro , Omura Seiichi , Minagar Alireza , Grisham Matthew. B. , Tsunoda Ikuo 
Published: January 2014

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) has been proposed to be an immune‐mediated disease in the central nervous system (CNS) that can be triggered by virus infections. In Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection, during the first week (acute stage), mice develop polioencephalomyelitis. After 3 weeks (chronic stage), mice develop immune‐mediated demyelination with virus persistence, which has been used as a viral model for MS. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can suppress inflammation, and have been suggested to be protective in immune‐mediated diseases, including MS. However, in virus‐induced inflammatory demyelination, although Tregs can suppress inflammation, preventing immune‐mediated pathology, Tregs may also suppress antiviral immune responses, leading to more active viral replication and/or persistence. To determine the role and potential translational usage of Tregs in MS, we treated TMEV‐infected mice with ex vivo generated induced Tregs (iTregs) on day 0 (early) or during the chronic stage (therapeutic). Early treatment worsened clinical signs during acute disease. The exacerbation of acute disease was associated with increased virus titers and decreased immune cell recruitment in the CNS. Therapeutic iTreg treatment reduced inflammatory demyelination during chronic disease. Immunologically, iTreg treatment increased interleukin‐10 production from B cells, CD4+ T cells and dendritic cells, which may contribute to the decreased CNS inflammation.
Azithromycin analogue CSY0073 attenuates lung inflammation induced by LPS challenge
Authors: Balloy V , Deveaux A , Lebeaux D , Tabary O , le Rouzic P , Ghigo J M , Busson P F , Boëlle P Y , Guez J Guez , Hahn U , Clement A , Chignard M , Corvol H , Burnet M , Guillot L 
Published: January 2014

Background and PurposeAzithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic with anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulating effects. Long‐term azithromycin therapy in patients with chronic lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis has been associated with increased antimicrobial resistance, emergence of hypermutable strains, ototoxicity and cardiac toxicity. The aim of this study was to assess the anti‐inflammatory effects of the non‐antibiotic azithromycin derivative CSY0073.Experimental ApproachWe compared the effects of CSY0073 with those of azithromycin in experiments on bacterial cultures, Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm, lung cells and mice challenged intranasally with P. aeruginosa LPS.Key ResultsIn contrast to azithromycin, CSY0073 did not inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus or Haemophilus influenzae and had no effect on an established P. aeruginosa biofilm. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids and lung homogenates collected after the LPS challenge in mice showed that CSY0073 and azithromycin (200 mg·kg−1, i.p.) decreased neutrophil counts at 24 h and TNF‐α, CXCL1 and CXCL2 levels in the BAL fluid after 3 h and IL‐6, CXCL2 and IL‐1β levels in the lung after 3 h compared with the vehicle. However, only azithromycin reduced IL‐1β levels in the lung 24 h post LPS challenge. CSY0073 and azithromycin similarly diminished the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines by macrophages, but not lung epithelial cells, exposed to P. aeruginosa LPS.Conclusions and ImplicationsUnlike azithromycin, CSY0073 had no antibacterial effects but it did have a similar anti‐inflammatory profile to that of azithromycin. Hence, CSY0073 may have potential as a long‐term treatment for patients with chronic lung diseases.