bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonstrangulating intestinal infarction associated with Strongylus vulgaris in referred Danish equine cases
Authors: Nielsen M. K. , Jacobsen S. , Olsen S. N. , Bousquet E. , Pihl T. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryReasons for performing studyStrongylus vulgaris is a pathogenic helminth parasite infecting horses and was once considered to be the primary cause of colic. Migrating larvae cause ischaemia and infarction of intestinal segments. This knowledge is derived from case reports and experimental inoculations of parasite‐naïve foals, and it remains unknown to what extent the parasite is associated with different types of colic.ObjectivesTo evaluate the role of S. vulgaris as a risk factor for different types of colic in horses.Study designA retrospective case–control study among horses referred with abdominal pain to the University of Copenhagen Large Animal Teaching Hospital during 2009–2011.MethodsEach colic case was matched with an equid of the same type (pony, Warmblooded or Coldblooded), age, sex and admitted in the same month and year but for problems unrelated to the gastrointestinal tract. Serum samples were analysed for antibodies to migrating S. vulgaris larvae using a recently developed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The following 4 case definitions were used: colic sensu lato, i.e. all horses presenting with colic (n = 274), with further subgroups, i.e. undiagnosed colics (n = 48), strangulating obstructions (n = 76) and nonstrangulating infarctions (n = 20).ResultsStrongylus vulgaris antibody levels were similar to control values in colics sensu lato and horses with undiagnosed colic. In contrast, nonstrangulating intestinal infarctions were significantly associated with positive S. vulgaris ELISAs (odds ratio 5.33, 95% confidence interval 1.03–27.76, P = 0.05). Also, horses with nonstrangulating infarctions had a significantly higher occurrence of positive ELISAs than horses with strangulating obstructions (odds ratio 3.79, 95% confidence interval 1.34–10.68, P = 0.01) and the colic sensu lato group (odds ratio 3.09, 95% confidence interval 1.20–8.01, P = 0.02).ConclusionsNonstrangulating intestinal infarction was strongly associated with S. vulgaris‐specific antibodies, whereas the more broadly defined colic categories were not associated with positive ELISA results. Thus, the ELISA holds potential to become a helpful adjunct in diagnosis and management of horses with colic.The Summary is available in Chinese – see Supporting information.
Somatosensory pleasure circuit: from skin to brain and back
Authors: Lloyd Donna M. , McGlone Francis P. , Yosipovitch Gil 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe skin senses serve a discriminative function, allowing us to manipulate objects and detect touch and temperature, and an affective/emotional function, manifested as itch or pain when the skin is damaged. Two different classes of nerve fibre mediate these dissociable aspects of cutaneous somatosensation: (i) myelinated A‐beta and A‐delta afferents that provide rapid information about the location and physical characteristics of skin contact; and (ii) unmyelinated, slow‐conducting C‐fibre afferents that are typically associated with coding the emotional properties of pain and itch. However, recent research has identified a third class of C‐fibre afferents that code for the pleasurable properties of touch – c‐tactile afferents or CTs. Clinical application of treatments that target pleasant, CT‐mediated touch (such as massage therapy) could, in the future, provide a complementary, non‐pharmacological means of treating both the physical and psychological aspects of chronic skin conditions such as itch and eczema.
Pliable natural biocide: Jaburetox is an intrinsically disordered insecticidal and fungicidal polypeptide derived from jack bean urease
Authors: Lopes Fernanda C. , Dobrovolska Olena , Real‐Guerra Rafael , Broll Valquiria , Zambelli Barbara , Musiani Francesco , Uversky Vladimir N. , Carlini Célia R. , Ciurli Stefano 
Published: January 2015

Jaburetox is a polypeptide derived from jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease and toxic to a broad spectrum of insects, phytopathogenic filamentous fungi and yeasts of medical importance. The elucidation of the structural basis for the mode of action of Jaburetox is the focus of this multifaceted study. Jaburetox in solution is a monomer of 11.0 kDa featuring a large hydrodynamic radius, suggestive of a disordered polypeptide. The intrinsically disordered nature of Jaburetox was theoretically predicted by a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis and experimentally confirmed by light scattering as well as by circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopy. NMR signal assignment provided backbone secondary chemical shifts that indicated that Jaburetox has a low propensity to assume a stable secondary structure. 15N relaxation studies revealed significant backbone mobility, especially in the N‐terminal portion of the polypeptide. The solution structure of Jaburetox shows the presence of an α‐helical motif close to the N terminus, together with two turn‐like structures situated in the central portion of the protein and close to the C terminus. Similar regions were predicted as potential protein–protein interaction sites using computational tools. The knowledge of the structural properties of Jaburetox in solution is a key step to correlate its structural and biological activities.
A small lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase from Streptomyces griseus targeting α‐ and β‐chitin
Authors: Nakagawa Yuko S. , Kudo Madoka , Loose Jennifer S. M. , Ishikawa Takahiro , Totani Kazuhide , Eijsink Vincent G. H. , Vaaje‐Kolstad Gustav 
Published: January 2015

The lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) have received considerable attention subsequent to their discovery because of their ability to boost the enzymatic conversion of recalcitrant polysaccharides. In the present study, we describe the enzymatic properties of SgLPMO10F, a small (15 kDa) auxilliary activity (AA) family 10 LPMO from Streptomyces griseus belonging to a clade of the phylogenetic tree without any characterized representative. The protein was expressed using a Brevibacillus‐based expression system that had not been used previously for LPMO expression and that also ensures correct processing of the N‐terminus crucial for LPMO activity. The enzyme was active towards both α‐ and β‐chitin and showed stronger binding and a greater release of soluble oxidized products for the latter allomorph. In chitinase synergy assays, however, SgLPMO10F worked slightly better for α‐chitin, increasing chitin solubilization yields by up to 30‐fold and 20‐fold for α‐ and β‐chitin, respectively. Synergy experiments with various chitinases showed that the addition of SgLPMO10F leads to a substantial increase in the (GlcNAc)2:GlcNAc product ratio, in reactions with α‐chitin only. This underpins the structural differences between the substrates and also shows that, on α‐chitin, SgLPMO10F affects the binding mode and/or degree of processivity of the chitinases tested. Variation in the only exposed aromatic residue in the substrate‐binding surface of LPMO10s has previously been linked to preferential binding for α‐chitin (exposed Trp) or β‐chitin (exposed Tyr). Mutation of this residue, Tyr56, in SgLPMO10F to Trp had no detectable effect on substrate‐binding preferences but, in synergy experiments, the mutant appeared to be more efficient on α‐chitin.
Arsenic Cycling in Hydrocarbon Plumes: Secondary Effects of Natural Attenuation
Authors: Cozzarelli Isabelle M. , Schreiber Madeline E. , Erickson Melinda L. , Ziegler Brady A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractMonitored natural attenuation is widely applied as a remediation strategy at hydrocarbon spill sites. Natural attenuation relies on biodegradation of hydrocarbons coupled with reduction of electron acceptors, including solid phase ferric iron (Fe(III)). Because arsenic (As) adsorbs to Fe‐hydroxides, a potential secondary effect of natural attenuation of hydrocarbons coupled with Fe(III) reduction is a release of naturally occurring As to groundwater. At a crude‐oil‐contaminated aquifer near Bemidji, Minnesota, anaerobic biodegradation of hydrocarbons coupled to Fe(III) reduction has been well documented. We collected groundwater samples at the site annually from 2009 to 2013 to examine if As is released to groundwater and, if so, to document relationships between As and Fe inside and outside of the dissolved hydrocarbon plume. Arsenic concentrations in groundwater in the plume reached 230 µg/L, whereas groundwater outside the plume contained less than 5 µg/L As. Combined with previous data from the Bemidji site, our results suggest that (1) naturally occurring As is associated with Fe‐hydroxides present in the glacially derived aquifer sediments; (2) introduction of hydrocarbons results in reduction of Fe‐hydroxides, releasing As and Fe to groundwater; (3) at the leading edge of the plume, As and Fe are removed from groundwater and retained on sediments; and (4) downgradient from the plume, patterns of As and Fe in groundwater are similar to background. We develop a conceptual model of secondary As release due to natural attenuation of hydrocarbons that can be applied to other sites where an influx of biodegradable organic carbon promotes Fe(III) reduction.
Prophylaxis with FEIBA in paediatric patients with haemophilia A and inhibitors
Authors: Ewing N. , Escuriola‐Ettingshausen C. , Kreuz W. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryThe benefits shown with factor VIII (FVIII) prophylaxis relating to joint health and quality of life (QoL) provide the rationale for FEIBA prophylaxis in haemophilia A patients with persistent FVIII inhibitors. FEIBA has previously shown efficacy in preventing bleeds in inhibitor patients who failed to respond to, or were ineligible for immune tolerance induction (ITI). The study examined the outcome of paediatric patients undergoing long‐term FEIBA prophylaxis. A retrospective chart review included severe haemophilia A patients with persistent inhibitors aged ≤13 years at the start of FEIBA prophylaxis. Baseline characteristics captured dose, frequency of prophylaxis, history of inhibitor development, including baseline titre, historical peak titre and history of ITI. Outcome measurements included annual bleed rate before and during FEIBA prophylaxis, joint status and school days missed. Sixteen cases of FEIBA prophylaxis from two centres are presented. The mean age of subjects at prophylaxis initiation was 7.5 ± 3.6 years and median baseline inhibitor titre was 23 (range 3.1–170) BU. Prior to prophylaxis initiation, median annual joint bleeds among all patients was 4 (0–48), which dropped significantly after the first year of prophylaxis, to a median annual joint bleed rate of 1 (0–7; P = 0.0179). Subsequent years (median = 9) of prophylaxis therapy demonstrated similarly low annual joint bleed rates. There were no life‐threatening bleeds, no viral seroconversions or thrombotic events during FEIBA prophylaxis treatment. FEIBA prophylaxis was effective for preventing joint bleeds and subsequent joint damage, delaying arthropathy and improving outcomes in children with haemophilia A and inhibitors to FVIII, who failed or were ineligible for ITI.
Recombinant full‐length factor VIII (FVIII) and extended half‐life FVIII products in prophylaxis – new insight provided by pharmacokinetic modelling
Authors: Gringeri A. , Wolfsegger M. , Steinitz K. N. , Reininger A. J. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryThe pharmacokinetics (PK) of extended half‐life factor VIII (FVIII) products might allow longer dosing intervals in prophylaxis, potentially affecting its efficacy. We used published population PK models of a recombinant full‐length FVIII (rAHF‐PFM) and a recombinant B‐domain‐deleted FVIII Fc fusion product (rFVIIIFc) to assess the time spent weekly with FVIII levels below 3 IU dL−1 or above 10 IU dL−1. These FVIII levels were chosen based on the observation that trough levels of 1 IU dL−1 may not be sufficient in all patients. This approach was applied to a simulated population of 1000 severe haemophilia A subjects with dosing regimens included in the prescribing information or evaluated in clinical trials. FVIII levels remained ≥3 IU dL−1 in 57% of patients treated with rAHF‐PFM 30 IU kg−1 every 48 h compared with 41.1%, 18.3%, 0.9% and 0% of patients treated with rFVIIIFc 30 IU kg−1 every 72 h, 50 IU kg−1 every 96 h or 120 h and 65 IU kg−1 every 168 h respectively. Patients on rAHF‐PFM 30 IU kg−1 every 48 h spent more time weekly with FVIII levels above 10 IU dL−1 than those on rFVIIIFc 50 IU kg−1 every 96 h or 120 h, and 65 IU kg−1 every 168 h. In conclusion, PK modelling indicates that choice and dosing intervals of standard and extended half‐life FVIII products require careful evaluation of individual PK to allow more time at protective levels, especially in patients with active lifestyles.
Visceral leishmaniasis as an independent cause of high immune activation, T‐cell senescence, and lack of immune recovery in virologically suppressed HIV‐1‐coinfected patients
Authors: Casado JL , Abad‐Fernández M , Moreno S , Pérez‐Elías MJ , Moreno A , Bernardino JI , Vallejo A 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesDifferent immune alterations have been described in HIV‐infected patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). We aimed to identify the immunological factors involved in the lack of immunological recovery and VL relapses in HIV‐infected patients with VL, by comparison with other HIV‐infected patients.MethodsWe carried out a cross‐sectional study of 55 patients receiving suppressive combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for at least 1 year: nine with previous relapsing VL, 20 with an immunodiscordant response (IDR) to cART (CD4 count < 200 cells/μL) and no previous VL, and 26 with a concordant response (CR) to cART (CD4 count > 350 cells/μL) without VL. Immunosenescence was investigated by analysing CD57+CD28− levels, immune activation by analysing CD38+HLA‐DR+ levels, inflammation by analysing interleukin (IL)‐6 levels, and microbial translocation by analysing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) levels.ResultsIn VL patients, the median time since VL diagnosis was 42 months, and all patients had had at least one relapse despite suppressive cART for a median time of 43 months. Patients with previously diagnosed VL had a higher CD8 T‐cell activation level (P < 0.001) than those with IDR. Also, levels of IL‐6, LPS and especially sCD14, associated with bacterial translocation and additional monocyte activation, were significantly increased in patients with previous VL compared with patients with IDR (P = 0.048, P = 0.049 and P < 0.001, respectively). In addition, patients with previous VL had higher levels of CD8 T‐cell senescence. Notably, the levels of immune activation and inflammation in patients with previous VL were not related to the time of VL diagnosis, the number of VL relapses, or hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that VL patients had an even worse immunological status than patients with IDR, which was probably associated with increased microbial translocation and additional monocyte/macrophage activation. These data explain the observed lack of immunological recovery and the occurrence of VL relapses in HIV‐infected patients with previous VL.
Comparison of the chemical composition of normal enamel from exfoliated primary teeth and teeth affected with early childhood caries: an in vitro study
Authors: Das Bhaskar , Muthu Murugan Satta , Farzan Jamaluddin Mohammed 
Published: January 2015

AimThe aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition of enamel from teeth with early childhood caries (unaffected fragments) and from healthy primary teeth.DesignForty exfoliated primary teeth (Group I) and 40 teeth affected with ECC (Group II) were collected. Unaffected enamel from the ECC group was sampled. Elemental analysis was carried out with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), following which the same tooth samples were subjected to amino acid analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).ResultsStatistically significant differences were observed in the percentage of phosphorus (P) and the Ca/P ratios between the two groups in the elemental analysis. Amino acid analysis revealed no significant difference in the amino acid profile and the quantity of amino acid or protein content between the two groups.ConclusionsThis study showed significant differences in the P content and Ca/P ratio between the enamel from teeth with ECC and in that from healthy primary teeth. These findings indicate that differences in the composition of enamel could be a risk factor for ECC.
Hepatitis C virus infection: a risk factor for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Wu W. Y.‐Y. , Kang K.‐H. , Chen S. L.‐S. , Chiu S. Y.‐H. , Yen A. M.‐F. , Fann J. C.‐Y. , Su C.‐W. , Liu H.‐C. , Lee C.‐Z. , Fu W.‐M. , Chen H.‐H. , Liou H.‐H. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryRecent studies found that hepatitis C virus (HCV) may invade the central nervous system, and both HCV and Parkinson's disease (PD) have in common the overexpression of inflammatory biomarkers. We analysed data from a community‐based integrated screening programme based on a total of 62 276 subjects. We used logistic regression models to investigate association between HCV infection and PD. The neurotoxicity of HCV was evaluated in the midbrain neuron–glia coculture system in rats. The cytokine/chemokine array was performed to measure the differences of amounts of cytokines released from midbrain in the presence and absence of HCV. The crude odds ratios (ORs) for having PD were 0.62 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.48–0.81] and 1.91 (95% CI, 1.48–2.47) for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV. After controlling for potential confounders, the association between HCV and PD remained statistically significant (adjusted OR = 1.39; 95% CI, 1.07–1.80), but not significantly different between HBV and PD. The HCV induced 60% dopaminergic neuron death in the midbrain neuron–glia coculture system in rats, similar to that of 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+) but not caused by HBV. This link was further supported by the finding that HCV infection may release the inflammatory cytokines, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD. In conclusion, our study demonstrated a significantly positive epidemiological association between HCV infection and PD and corroborated the dopaminergic toxicity of HCV similar to that of MPP+.
Responses of artificially reared cat fleas Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835) to different mammalian bloods
Authors: KERNIF T. , STAFFORD K. , COLES G. C. , BITAM I. , PAPA K. , CHIARONI J. , RAOULT D. , PAROLA P. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouche, 1835) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), which is found worldwide and which parasitizes many species of wild and domestic animal, is a vector and/or reservoir of bacteria, protozoa and helminths. To aid in the study of the physiology and behaviour of fleas and of their transmission of pathogens, it would be of value to improve the laboratory rearing of pathogen‐free fleas. The conditions under which artificially reared fleas at the University of Bristol (U.K.) and the Rickettsial Diseases Institute (France) are maintained were studied, with different ratios of male to female fleas per chamber (25 : 50, 50 : 100, 100 : 100, 200 : 200). The fleas were fed with bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine or human blood containing the anticoagulants sodium citrate or EDTA. Egg production was highest when fleas were kept in chambers with a ratio of 25 males to 100 females. In addition, the use of EDTA as an anticoagulant rather than sodium citrate resulted in a large increase in the number of eggs produced per female; however, the low percentage of eggs developing through to adult fleas was lower with EDTA. The modifications described in our rearing methods will improve the rearing of cat fleas for research.
The Power to Oblige: Power, Gender, Negotiation Behaviors, and Their Consequences
Authors: Nelson Noa , Bronstein Ilan , Shacham Rotem , Ben‐Ari Rachel 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis study experimentally examined how power and gender affect negotiation behaviors and how those behaviors affect negotiated outcomes. One hundred and forty‐six dyads, in four combinations of power and gender, negotiated compensation agreements. In line with gender stereotypes, male negotiators were more dominating and females more obliging and somewhat more compromising. However, partially challenging the common association of power and masculinity, high‐power negotiators were less dominating and more collaborating, obliging and avoiding than their low‐power opponents. Generally, feminine and high‐power behaviors induced agreement while masculine and low‐power behaviors enhanced distributive personal gain. The study also assessed patterns of behavioral reciprocity and used sophisticated analytic tools to control for dyadic interdependence. Therefore it helps to elucidate the negotiation process and the role that power and its interplay with gender play in it.
The ubiquity of alpine plant radiations: from the Andes to the Hengduan Mountains
Authors: Hughes Colin E. , Atchison Guy W. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryAlpine plant radiations are compared across the world's major mountain ranges and shown to be overwhelmingly young and fast, largely confined to the Pliocene and Pleistocene, and some of them apparently in the early explosive phase of radiation. Accelerated diversification triggered by island‐like ecological opportunities following the final phases of mountain uplift, and in many cases enabled by the key adaptation of perennial habit, provides a general model for alpine plant radiations. Accelerated growth form evolution facilitated by perenniality provides compelling evidence of ecological release and suggests striking parallels between island‐like alpine, and especially tropicalpine radiations, and island radiations more generally. These parallels suggest that the world's mountains offer an excellent comparative system for explaining evolutionary radiation.

Contents

Summary
275

I.
Introduction
275

II.
Mountains as islands
277

III.
Lupinus: a model for alpine plant radiation
277

IV.
Perenniality and life‐form disparification
279

V.
A comparative system for understanding evolutionary radiation
279

VI.
Future perspectives
280

Acknowledgements
280

References
280
On the Behaviour of Phillips–Perron Tests in the Presence of Persistent Cycles
Authors: Del Barrio Castro Tomás , Rodrigues Paulo M. M. , Taylor A. M. Robert 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we analyse the impact of persistent cycles on the well‐known semi‐parametric unit root tests of Phillips and Perron (1988, Biometrika, Vol. 75, pp. 335–346). It is shown, both analytically and through Monte Carlo simulations, that the presence of complex (near) unit roots can severely bias the size properties of these tests. Given the popularity of these tests with applied researchers and their routine presence in most econometric software packages, the results presented in this paper suggest that practitioners should treat the outcomes of these tests with some caution when applied to data which display a strong cyclical component.