bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental distribution and genetic diversity of vegetative compatibility groups determine biocontrol strategies to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of maize byAspergillus flavus
Authors: Atehnkeng Joseph , Donner Matthias , Ojiambo Peter S. , Ikotun Babatunde , Augusto Joao , Cotty Peter J. , Bandyopadhyay Ranajit 
Published: October 2015

SummaryMaize infected by aflatoxin‐producingAspergillus flavusmay become contaminated with aflatoxins, and as a result, threaten human health, food security and farmers' income in developing countries where maize is a staple. Environmental distribution and genetic diversity ofA. flavuscan influence the effectiveness of atoxigenic isolates in mitigating aflatoxin contamination. However, such information has not been used to facilitate selection and deployment of atoxigenic isolates. A total of 35 isolates ofA. flavusisolated from maize samples collected from three agro‐ecological zones ofNigeria were used in this study. Ecophysiological characteristics, distribution and genetic diversity of the isolates were determined to identify vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs). The generated data were used to inform selection and deployment of native atoxigenic isolates to mitigate aflatoxin contamination in maize. In co‐inoculation with toxigenic isolates, atoxigenic isolates reduced aflatoxin contamination in grain by > 96%. A total of 25VCGswere inferred from the collected isolates based on complementation tests involving nitrate non‐utilizing (nit−) mutants. To determine genetic diversity and distribution ofVCGsacross agro‐ecological zones, 832nit−mutants from 52 locations in 11 administrative districts were paired with one self‐complementary nitrate auxotroph tester‐pair for eachVCG. AtoxigenicVCGsaccounted for 81.1% of the 153 positive complementations recorded. Genetic diversity ofVCGswas highest in the derived savannah agro‐ecological zone (H = 2.61) compared with the southernGuinea savannah (H = 1.90) and northernGuinea savannah (H = 0.94) zones. Genetic richness (H = 2.60) and evenness (E5 = 0.96) ofVCGswere high across all agro‐ecological zones. TenVCGs(40%) had members restricted to the original location of isolation, whereas 15VCGs(60%) had members located between the original source of isolation and a distance > 400 km away. The present study identified widely distributedVCGsinNigeria such asAV0222,AV3279,AV3304 andAV16127, whose atoxigenic members can be deployed for a region‐wide biocontrol of toxigenic isolates to reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize.
First Objective Association Between Elevated Carbohydrate‐Deficient Transferrin Concentrations and Alcohol‐Related Traffic Accidents
Authors: Bortolotti Federica , Micciolo Rocco , Canal Luisa , Tagliaro Franco 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundCarbohydrate‐deficient transferrin (CDT) is a well‐recognized highly specific marker of chronic alcohol abuse. The association of CDT with alcohol‐related traffic accidents was evaluated to objectively validate the use of this marker for certifying the physical fitness for driving license regranting after its confiscation for drunk driving.MethodsThe study was carried out on 468 injured drivers (InjDr), who underwent mandatory blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and drug analysis in biological fluids. The InjDr group was divided into 2 subgroups on the basis of BAC legal limit adopted in Italy (BAC ≤ 0.5 g/l: InjDr1; BAC >0.5 g/l: InjDr2). The control group (CntDr) included 236 subjects holding safety‐sensitive job positions and undergoing mandatory toxicological analyses. The determination of BAC in blood and CDT in serum were performed using validated analytical methods based on head‐space gas chromatography and high‐performance liquid chromatography, respectively.ResultsThe evaluation of CDT distribution in the 3 groups (CntDr, InjDr1, InjDr2) showed that CDT distribution in the InjDr1 group was similar to that observed in the CntDr group (p = 0.159) and different from that observed in the InjDr2 group (p < 0.001). Partitioning the CDT data of each group into “CDT positives” and “CDT negatives” on the basis of the cut off (1.90%), it was possible to calculate the odds of the 3 groups and then the odds ratios. The odds ratio of InjDr1 versus CntDr was 4.56 (p = 0.158), whereas the odds ratio of InjDr2 versus CntDr was 132 (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a dose–response effect was found only when comparing InjDr2 with CntDr.ConclusionsThe data of the present study strongly support the use of the CDT test to evaluate the risk of a subject to be involved in a road accident while driving under the influence of alcohol.
Phosphatidylethanol is Superior to Carbohydrate‐Deficient Transferrin and γ‐Glutamyltransferase as an Alcohol Marker and is a Reliable Estimate of Alcohol Consumption Level
Authors: Walther Lisa , de Bejczy Andrea , Löf Elin , Hansson Therese , Andersson Anders , Guterstam Joar , Hammarberg Anders , Asanovska Gulber , Franck Johan , Söderpalm Bo , Isaksson Anders 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundIn clinical practice as well as research situations, it is of great importance to get reliable information about a patient's alcohol consumption. The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation of alcohol biomarkers (phosphatidylethanol [PEth], carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin [CDT], γ‐glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase) to retrospective as well as diary‐based alcohol self‐reports and to examine whether it is possible to correlate a biomarker result to a more precise level of alcohol consumption.MethodsOne hundred and sixty alcohol‐dependent patients were included in a randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial of pharmacotherapy for alcohol dependence, of which 115 (76 men and 39 women) completed the study. Retrospective alcohol consumption data were collected at baseline, and alcohol diaries were used during the study. Blood samples for determination of alcohol biomarkers were collected on 5 occasions during the study.ResultsPEth and CDT showed a better correlation with alcohol consumption documented in the diary (PEth rs = 0.56 and CDT rs = 0.35) than with retrospective consumption data (PEth rs = 0.23 and CDT rs = 0.22). An even higher correlation (rs = 0.63) was seen between the 2 alcohol biomarkers PEth and CDT. At all consumption levels, PEth had the highest sensitivity of all biomarkers studied.ConclusionsPEth was the biomarker with the best correlation to self‐reported alcohol consumption. PEth was superior to CDT owing to its substantially higher sensitivity but also due to its closer correlation to self‐report. PEth values can be translated into an approximate level of alcohol consumption and PEth appears to be a more reliable measure of alcohol consumption than self‐reports.
IgE antibodies in relation to prevalence and multimorbidity of eczema, asthma, and rhinitis from birth to adolescence
Authors: Ballardini N. , Bergström A. , Wahlgren C‐F. , van Hage M. , Hallner E. , Kull I. , Melén E. , Antó J. M. , Bousquet J. , Wickman M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundEczema, asthma, and rhinitis affect a large proportion of children, but their prevalence varies with age. IgE antibodies are also common in the pediatric population. However, the links between IgE, disease, and trajectories are unclear.ObjectiveTo better understand the links between sensitization and disease, we studied IgE sensitization ever in relation to eczema, asthma, and rhinitis, in children followed up to 16 years of age.MethodsFrom the Swedish population‐based birth cohort BAMSE, 2607 children were included. Parental reports from six time points between 1 and 16 years were used to identify children with eczema, asthma, and rhinitis. Blood was collected at 4, 8, and 16 years, and sensitization ever was defined as allergen‐specific IgE ≥0.35 kUA/l to common food and/or inhalant allergens at any time point. Odds ratios for eczema, asthma, rhinitis, and multimorbidity in relation to sensitization ever were calculated using generalized estimating equations.ResultsFifty‐one percent were sensitized at least once up to 16 years. Almost a quarter of ever‐sensitized children did not have any disease. After adjustment for potential confounders, sensitization ever was significantly associated with the following: (i) eczema throughout childhood, (ii) multimorbidity of eczema, asthma, and rhinitis from 1 to 16 years (OR for multimorbidity: 5.11, 95% CI: 3.99–6.55), (iii) asthma and rhinitis from 4 to 16 years of age.ConclusionsSpecific IgE is strongly associated with eczema and allergic multimorbidity throughout childhood and with asthma and rhinitis from age 4 years. However, 23% of the children with IgE sensitization do not develop any disease in childhood.
Divergent response profile in activated cord blood T cells from first‐born child implies birth‐order‐associated in utero immune programming
Authors: Kragh M. , Larsen J. M. , Thysen A. H. , Rasmussen M. A. , Wolsk H. M. , Bisgaard H. , Brix S. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundFirst‐born children are at higher risk of developing a range of immune‐mediated diseases. The underlying mechanism of ‘birth‐order effects’ on disease risk is largely unknown, but in utero programming of the child's immune system may play a role.ObjectiveWe studied the association between birth order and the functional response of stimulated cord blood T cells.MethodPurified cord blood T cells were polyclonally activated with anti‐CD3‐/anti‐CD28‐coated beads in a subgroup of 28 children enrolled in the COPSAC2010 birth cohort. Expression levels of seven activation markers on helper and cytotoxic T cells as well as the percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Production of IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, IL‐17, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13, and IL‐10 was measured in the supernatants.ResultsIL‐10 secretion (P = 0.007) and CD25 expression on CD4+ helper T cells (P = 0.0003) in the activated cord blood T cells were selectively reduced in first‐born children, while the percentage of circulating CD4+CD25+ cord blood T cells was independent of birth order.ConclusionFirst‐born infants display a reduced anti‐inflammatory profile in T cells at birth. This possible in utero ‘birth‐order’ T‐cell programming may contribute to later development of immune‐mediated diseases by increasing overall immune reactivity in first‐born children as compared to younger siblings.
Children who were treated with oral immunotherapy for cows' milk allergy showed long‐term desensitisation seven years later
Authors: Paassilta Marita , Salmivesi Susanna , Mäki Tiina , Helminen Mika , Korppi Matti 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAimThis was a follow‐up of 28 schoolchildren with cows' milk allergy (CMA) who attended a randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled oral immunotherapy (OIT) study. In the original study, 26 (92.9%) completed the six‐month escalation phase, and 25 (89.3%) used milk daily at 12 months and 24 (85.7%) at 36 months. This study evaluated the outcome seven years later, with special attention paid to milk consumption and symptoms.MethodsOutcome data were collected through a postal questionnaire completed three, four and five years after enrolment and by a phone questionnaire after seven years. We asked about the daily dose of milk products, any adverse reactions, any medication needed and possible discontinuation of daily milk consumption.ResultsData were available at the seven‐year point for 24 children and 14 (58.3%) of these continued to use milk (≥200 mL) or milk products (protein ≥6400 mg) daily for seven years. However, three (21.4%) of these still reported symptoms associated with milk consumption. Of the 10 remaining children, two children used milk products daily but consumed less due to symptoms and eight (33.3%) had discontinued milk consumption.ConclusionOral immunotherapy was an effective and safe way of desensitising schoolchildren with persistent CMA.
Avian influenza in Australia: a summary of 5 years of wild bird surveillance
Authors: Grillo VL , Arzey KE , Hansbro PM , Hurt AC , Warner S , Bergfeld J , Burgess GW , Cookson B , Dickason CJ , Ferenczi M , Hollingsworth T , Hoque MDA , Jackson RB , Klaassen M , Kirkland PD , Kung NY , Lisovski S , O'Dea MA , O'Riley K , Roshier D , Skerratt LF , Tracey JP , Wang X , Woods R , Post L 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundAvian influenza viruses (AIVs) are found worldwide in numerous bird species, causing significant disease in gallinaceous poultry and occasionally other species. Surveillance of wild bird reservoirs provides an opportunity to add to the understanding of the epidemiology of AIVs.MethodsThis study examined key findings from the National Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance Program over a 5‐year period (July 2007–June 2012), the main source of information on AIVs circulating in Australia.ResultsThe overall proportion of birds that tested positive for influenza A via PCR was 1.9 ± 0.1%, with evidence of widespread exposure of Australian wild birds to most low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) subtypes (H1–13, H16). LPAI H5 subtypes were found to be dominant and widespread during this 5‐year period.ConclusionGiven Australia's isolation, both geographically and ecologically, it is important for Australia not to assume that the epidemiology of AIV from other geographic regions applies here. Despite all previous highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in Australian poultry being attributed to H7 subtypes, widespread detection of H5 subtypes in wild birds may represent an ongoing risk to the Australian poultry industry.
A comparison of public and private partnership models for urban commercial revitalization in Canada and Spain
Authors: Espinosa Ana , Hernandez Tony 
Published: October 2015

Key Messages

Public‐private partnership (PPP) has been a popular response to urban commercial revitalization.
Two modes of PPP, the Canadian Business Improvement Areas (BIA) and the Spanish Centros Comerciales Abiertos (CCA) are examined.
BIA and CCA are shown to vary by geographic extent, project scope, urban governance structure, balance of public‐private sector control, and level of stakeholder engagement.
The dendritic cell high‐affinity IgE receptor is overexpressed in both asthma and severe COPD
Authors: Stoll P. , Bähker A. , Ulrich M. , Bratke K. , Garbe K. , Christian Virchow J. , Lommatzsch M. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBackgroundThe reduction of asthma exacerbations following omalizumab treatment has been related to the suppression of the high‐affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DCs). However, the FcεRI expression on DCs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown.ObjectiveTo compare FcεRI expression on DCs in COPD with patients with allergic asthma and healthy controls, and to relate the findings to clinical parameters, blood eosinophil concentrations and serum immunoglobin E (IgE) concentrations.MethodsUsing four‐colour flow cytometry, FcεRI expression on blood myeloid DCs and plasmacytoid DCs was analyzed in 64 patients with COPD, 20 patients with allergic asthma, 41 asymptomatic never smokers and 21 asymptomatic current smokers.ResultsAs compared with never smokers, current smokers displayed an increased expression of the FcεRI on myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs. In patients with COPD, the expression of the FcεRI on plasmacytoid DCs, but not myeloid DCs, increased from spirometric GOLD stage 2 to GOLD stage 4, and was correlated with several lung function parameters. Patients with severe COPD and patients with allergic asthma displayed a similar FcεRI overexpression on plasmacytoid DCs. In all groups, there was a positive correlation between total IgE serum concentrations and the FcεRI expression on plasmacytoid DCs.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceSevere COPD and allergic asthma are characterized by a similar overexpression of the high‐affinity IgE receptor on plasmacytoid DCs. In view of the effect of anti‐IgE on exacerbations in asthma, trials investigating the effect of anti‐IgE on exacerbations in severe COPD appear to be warranted.
Past Contradictions, Contemporary Dilemmas: Egypt's 2013 Coup and Early Islamic History
Authors: Osman Amr 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTo what extent is the present of Muslim societies influenced by their past? How do politics and historiography relate to each other in medieval and contemporary Islam? More specifically, can events from early Islamic history help us understand current events in Muslim countries? By discussing how some of these remote events have contributed to the emergence of certain political views, this article argues that they are still relevant to the present in Muslim countries (in our case here, Egypt) and can indeed help us understand an important part of the picture of a recent event that may have a long lasting influence on the present and future of both the country and the region where it occurred. This event was the removal of Egypt's first ever democratically elected president by a military coup on July 3, 2013, one year after he assumed office. By examining the various religious and political hermeneutic strategies used by some medieval and modern Sunni scholars to support or condemn certain acts of rebellion while opposing others, the article seeks to demonstrate — through the comparison of some of these strategies — the contradictory positions of medieval Sunni scholars regarding events from early Islam, and thus the dilemmas that their modern counterparts face when dealing with contemporary events.
Language Policy and Identity Conflict in Sudan
Authors: Zouhir Abderrahman 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe Sudan, as it stands today, has clearly and definitely failed to form a united country. It has been involved in an internecine civil war. The war has not merely been a war of resistance against economic marginalization of the south, but one of racial or ethnic resistance to the dominant discourse in the north which lays claim to being racially and culturally superior. The violent political conflict that led to the secession of southern Sudan and the ongoing conflicts in some parts of the Sudan are legacies of the past. These legacies cannot be understood unless the tensions are placed in historical, political, and educational perspectives. This article attempts to describe Sudanese language policy and show its complexity, arbitrariness, and fluctuation. It aims to engage with issues of hegemony, language ideology, identity conflict, power asymmetries, and social inequality in language policy in the Sudan. The Arabic language has acquired dominant status while other languages have been marginalized in the process. This article also considers the historical diffusion of Arab identity and analyzes the relevance of the latter for civil conflicts and the cessation of the South. Finally, it closes with a discussion of the present day situation in Sudan and provides some critical reflections.
Realistic Idealism and The Project of Political Economy
Authors: Pennington Mark 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis paper explores the constraints that should inform understandings of which political economic institutions are both economically and political feasible and ethically attractive. Focusing on cognitive constraints and motivational constraints, it suggests that the classical liberal ideal of a society based largely on voluntary exchanges within a minimalist conception of justice comes closest to matching the terms of a ‘realistic idealism’.
Corticotropin‐releasing factor type‐2 receptor and corticotropin‐releasing factor‐binding protein coexist in rat ventral tegmental area nerve terminals originated in the lateral hypothalamic area
Authors: Slater Paula G. , Noches Veronica , Gysling Katia 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThere is significant functional evidence showing that corticotropin‐releasing factor type‐2 receptor (CRF2R) and corticotropin‐releasing factor‐binding protein (CRF‐BP) regulate glutamatergic synapses onto ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurons. It has been shown that CRF requires CRF‐BP to potentiate N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors in dopaminergic neurons through CRF2R, and that increases glutamate release in cocaine‐treated rats through the activation of CRF2R only by agonists with high affinity to CRF‐BP. Furthermore, this CRF‐mediated increase in VTA glutamate is responsible for stress‐induced relapse to cocaine‐seeking behaviour. However, there is a lack of anatomical evidence to explain the mechanisms of CRF actions in VTA. Thus, it was studied whether CRF2R and CRF‐BP are expressed in VTA nerve terminals, using a synaptosomal preparation devoid of postsynaptic elements. The current results show that both proteins are co‐expressed in glutamatergic and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic VTA synaptosomes. A main glutamatergic input to the VTA that has been associated to addictive behaviour is originated in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). Thus, this study was focused in the LHA–VTA input using orexin as a marker of this input. The results show that CRF2R and CRF‐BP mRNA and protein are expressed in the LHA, and that both proteins are present in orexin‐positive VTA synaptosomes. The results showing that CRF2R and CRF‐BP are expressed in the LHA–VTA input give anatomical support to suggest that this input plays a role in stress‐induced relapse to cocaine‐seeking behaviour.
Effect of magnesium treatment and glucose levels on delayed cerebral ischemia in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage: a substudy of the Magnesium in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage trial (MASH-II)
Authors: Leijenaar Jolien F. , Mees Sanne M. Dorhout , Algra Ale , Van Den Bergh Walter M. , Rinkel Gabriel J. E. 
Published: October 2015

Background Magnesium treatment did not improve outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in the Magnesium in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage II trial. We hypothesized that high glucose levels may have offset a potential beneficial effect to prevent delayed cerebral ischemia. We investigated if magnesium treatment led to less delayed cerebral ischemia and if glucose levels interacted with magnesium treatment in the Magnesium in Aneurysmal Suba-rachnoid Haemorrhage II trial. Aim To investigate the effect of magnesium treatment on occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia and the interaction between glucose levels and magnesium treatment in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. Methods The Magnesium in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage was a phase III randomized placebo-controlled trial assessing the effect of magnesium sulphate on clinical outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. For the current study, we included only the patients admitted to the University Medical Centre-Utrecht. We calculated hazard ratios for occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia in patients treated with magnesium vs. placebo for the entire study population, and separately in the subgroups of patients with high and low mean fasting and mean daily glucose levels until onset of delayed cerebral ischemia. We used the cross-product of magnesium and glucose in the regression analysis to evaluate whether an interaction between magnesium and glucose existed. Results We included 616 patients: 307 received magnesium and 309 placebo; 156 patients had delayed cerebral ischemia. Hazard ratio for magnesium on occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia was 1.0 (95% confidence interval: 0.7-1.4). Results were similar in patients with low or high fasting or daily glucose levels. We found no interactions between magnesium treatment and high fasting ( P = 0.54) and daily glucose ( P = 0.60). Conclusions Magnesium treatment did not reduce the risk of delayed cerebral ischemia in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, nor was there an interaction with glucose levels. It is therefore unlikely that glucose levels explain the failure of magnesium to prevent delayed cerebral ischemia and poor outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.