bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating body composition in infancy and childhood: A comparison between 4C, QMR, DXA, and ADP
Authors: Heard‐Lipsmeyer Melissa E. , Hull Holly , Sims Clark R. , Cleves Mario A. , Andres Aline
Published: January 2020

Background

Accurate and precise methods to measure of body composition in infancy and childhood are needed.

Objectives

This study evaluated differences and precision of three methods when compared with the four‐compartment (4C) model for estimating fat mass (FM).

Methods

FM of children (age 14 days to 6 years of age, N = 346) was obtained using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (QMR, EchoMRI‐AH), air‐displacement plethysmography (ADP, PeaPod, less than or equal to 8 kg, BodPod age 6 years or older), and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA, Hologic QDR). The 4C model was computed. Correlation, concordance, and Bland‐Altman analyses were performed.

Results

In infants, PeaPod had high individual FM accuracy, whereas DXA had high group FM accuracy compared with 4C. In children, DXA had high group and individual FM accuracies compared with 4C. QMR underestimated group FM in infants and children (300 and 510 g, respectively). The instrument FM precision was best for QMR (10 g) followed by BodPod (34 g), PeaPod (38 g), and DXA (45 g).

Conclusions

In infants, PeaPod was the best method to estimate individual FM whereas DXA was best to estimate group FM. In children, DXA was best to estimate individual and group FM. QMR had the highest instrument precision.
Israeli and Polish Policies toward Returning Residents as a Reflection of Nationhood
Authors: Bielewska Agnieszka , Amit Karin
Published: January 2020

This study focuses on Poland and Israel, both commonly classified as ethnic nation‐states, and aims to question the expression of ethnic–civic dichotomy in return‐migration policies. Policy documents in each country were analysed and complemented by interviews with policymakers and representatives from relevant organizations. Our analysis reveals that, although there are differences in their policies toward returning residents and in the related programmes in both countries, Israeli and Polish policies include both ethnic and civic components. Therefore, our study supports Joppke's (2005) argument that there is no purely civic or ethnic nationalism and there can be no purely civic or ethnic nation. We show that the proportion of ethnic and civic elements may change over time; thus, our findings contribute to the growing literature pointing to the dynamic nature of nationalism.
Increased reproductive success through parasitoid release at a range margin: Implications for range shifts induced by climate change
Authors: Mackay K. David , Gross Caroline L. , Ryder Darren S.
Published: January 2020

Aim

We tested four hypotheses (a) that pioneer trees at distribution margins would receive fewer visits from pollinators and pollinator parasitoids than would trees in larger, established populations; (b) that predator release (lower rates of pollinator parasitism) would result in higher pollinator reproductive success; (c) that less competition among fewer pollinator foundresses would correlate with higher plant reproductive success and (d) that these effects would be greater at the plant species’ expanding range margin.

Location

The dry, western side of the Great Dividing Range in northern New South Wales, eastern Australia.

Taxon

The rusty fig (Ficus rubiginosa, Moraceae), its pollinator and the pollinator's parasitoids.

Methods

We measured fruit (syconia) set per tree, seed set per syconium and fig‐wasp numbers (pollinators and non‐pollinators) per syconium in a total of 62 trees in 24 populations covering three distributional zones – the dry, western margin of the species’ range, a more mesic, eastern margin at the species’ altitudinal limit, and the zone between these two margins. These results were modelled against F. rubiginosa population size, the position of plant populations in relation to range margins, and climatic gradients of temperature and rainfall.

Results

Lower rates of pollinator parasitism and less pollinator competition correlated with increased reproductive success in the pollinator and increased male fitness (in terms of pollen dispersal) and female fitness (in terms of seed per syconium) in isolated trees of F. rubiginosa, compared with trees in larger populations, particularly at F. rubiginosa's mesic, expanding range margin.

Main Conclusions

Pollinator–predator release and pollinator–competition release can lead to increased pollinator and plant reproductive success in pioneer trees at range margins. This reinforces the need to understand biotic interactions underlying reproduction and dispersal at expanding range fronts if we are to understand and better predict the drivers and effects of climate‐change‐induced range shifts in plants and their pollinators.
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation reduces heart failure rehospitalization in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Fukui Akira , Tanino Tomomi , Yamaguchi Takanori , Hirota Kei , Saito Shotaro , Okada Norihiro , Akioka Hidefumi , Shinohara Tetsuji , Yufu Kunio , Takahashi Naohiko
Published: January 2020

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with heart failure (HF) rehospitalization in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Objective

We tested the hypothesis that catheter ablation of AF could reduce HF rehospitalization compared with conventional pharmacotherapy in patients with HFpEF.

Methods

Eighty‐five consecutive HFpEF (EF ≥ 50% and a history of HF hospitalization) patients diagnosed as AF by 12‐lead electrocardiogram were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty‐five patients who received catheter ablation (ABL group) were compared with 50 patients treated by antiarrhythmic drugs and/or beta‐blockers (CNT group). The primary endpoint was rehospitalization due to HF.

Results

The patients characteristics did not differ between the two groups including, age (71 ± 8 vs 71 ± 13 years; P = .637), female sex (34% vs 36%; P = .870), mean plasma brain natriuretic peptide (145 ± 112 vs 195 ± 153 pg/mL; P = .111), mean left ventricular ejection fraction (62% ± 8% vs 61% ± 9%; P = .624), and type of AF (nonparoxysmal AF 60% vs 62%; P = .852). Amiodarone was continued 40% (14 out of 35) and 40% (20 out of 70) in ABL and CNT groups, respectively (P = 1.000). Neither major complication nor major side effect was observed during the follow‐up period. During a mean follow‐up period of 792 ± 485 days, Kaplan‐Meier curve analysis showed that significantly more patients in the ABL group were free from HF rehospitalization (log‐rank P = .0039). Additionally, multivariate analysis revealed that catheter ablation of AF was the only preventive factor of HF rehospitalization (OR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.04‐0.46; P < .001).

Conclusions

Catheter ablation of AF reduced HF rehospitalization compared with conventional pharmacotherapy in patients with HFpEF in our institute. Multicenter randomized study is warranted to confirm the result.
Offspring phenotype is shaped by the nonsperm fraction of semen
Authors: Kekäläinen Jukka , Jokiniemi Annalaura , Janhunen Matti , Huuskonen Hannu
Published: January 2020

In a large majority of animal species, the only contribution of males to the next generation has been assumed to be their genes (sperm). However, along with sperm, seminal plasma contains a wide array of extracellular factors that have many important functions in reproduction. Yet, the potential intergenerational effects of these factors are virtually unknown. We investigated these effects in European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) by experimentally manipulating the presence and identity of seminal plasma and by fertilizing the eggs of multiple females with the manipulated and unmanipulated semen of several males in a full‐factorial breeding design. The presence of both own seminal plasma and foreign seminal plasma inhibited sperm motility, and the removal of own seminal plasma decreased embryo survival. Embryos hatched significantly earlier after both semen manipulations than in control fertilizations; foreign seminal plasma also increased offspring aerobic swimming performance. Given that our experimental design allowed us to control potentially confounding sperm‐mediated (sire) effects and maternal effects, our results indicate that seminal plasma may have direct intergenerational consequences for offspring phenotype and performance. This novel source of offspring phenotypic variance may provide new insights into the evolution of polyandry and mechanisms that maintain heritable variation in fitness and associated female mating preferences.
A new model study species: high accuracy of discrimination between individual freckled hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) using natural markings
Authors: McInnes Mark G. , Burns Neil M. , Hopkins Charlotte R. , Henderson Guy P. , McNeill Deborah C. , Bailey David M.
Published: January 2020

Variations between distinct natural markings of freckled hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) could allow in situ identification of individuals from underwater photography. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to assess the ability of the Interactive Individual Identification System (I3S) software to assist in discriminating between images of P. forsteri individuals. This study's results show the high discriminant ability of I3S to differentiate between unlike individuals and identify images of the same individual. The ability to use automatic computer‐aided assistance in the study of this species will enable future research to explore behaviour and movements of individuals in the wild.
Contrasting life‐history traits of two sympatric smooth‐hound species: implication for vulnerability
Authors: Riginella Emilio , Correale Vittoria , Marino Ilaria A. M. , Rasotto Maria B. , Vrbatovic Anamarija , Zane Lorenzo , Mazzoldi Carlotta
Published: January 2020

In this study, life‐history traits (maximum and average size, size at maturity and fecundity) of two congeneric smooth‐hounds, Mustelus mustelus and Mustelus punctulatus, which share a geographical distribution and experience a similar fishing exploitation, were estimated and compared between species. The results indicated a lower maximum and average size, a lower size at maturity and a higher fecundity in M. punctulatus compared with those in M. mustelus. Considering that these two species co‐occur in the same areas and are caught by the same fishing gears, the results indicate a higher vulnerability to exploitation of M. mustelus compared with that of M. punctulatus.
Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Streptococcus spp. isolated from tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) cultured in river‐based cage and earthen ponds in Northern Thailand
Authors: Niu Guoyi , Khattiya Rutch , Zhang Tingrui , Boonyayatra Sukolrat , Wongsathein Dilok
Published: January 2020

Streptococcus spp. are major pathogenic bacteria associated with massive mortality in tilapia. This study investigated the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) and Streptococcus iniae (S. iniae) isolated from tilapia in river‐based floating cage and earthen pond farms in northern Thailand. Isolates were identified by biochemical and molecular analyses. Capsular typing, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction and multilocus sequence typing were performed to investigate the genetic relatedness. Six and one isolates were confirmed as GBS and S. iniae, respectively. All Streptococcus spp. isolates were obtained from 4 river‐based cage farms (4/33), while samples collected from earthen pond farms (N = 28) were negative for streptococcosis. All GBS with serotype Ⅲ and sequence type (ST) 283 was observed. The β‐haemolytic GBS isolates were resistant to five antimicrobials, while the S. iniae was susceptible to all antimicrobials. This study indicates both GBS and S. iniae are the major bacterial pathogens responsible for streptococcosis infection in farmed tilapia of northern Thailand with GBS as dominant species. This survey highlights that the river‐based cage farms seriously impact on the healthy development of the tilapia industry.
Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection and its long‐term impacts on gut microbiota
Authors: Liou Jyh‐Ming , Lee Yi‐Chia , Wu Ming‐Shiang
Published: January 2020

The rising prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the long‐term safety following eradication therapy are important issues in the management of Helicobacter pylori infection. The prevalence of clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and metronidazole resistance of H. pylori has increased to 21%, 27%, and 45%, respectively, in the Asia‐Pacific region. Personalized treatment guided by susceptibility testing may provide a reliably excellent eradication rate in the first‐line treatment but is costly and not widely available. Population‐specific empirical therapy according to the local prevalence of antibiotic resistance may be an alternative strategy. Levofloxacin‐based therapy and bismuth quadruple therapy are the recommended second‐line rescue therapy. Susceptibility testing or genotypic resistance‐guided therapy is the preferred treatment for refractory H. pylori infection, but empirical therapy may be an acceptable alternative. Eradication of H. pylori leads to short‐term perturbation of gut microbiota. The diversity of gut microbiota can be restored months after eradication therapy, but the speed of recovery varies with regimens. The short‐term increases of antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae may be restored to basal states months after H. pylori eradication. Future studies that apply in‐depth sequencing, such as shotgun metagenomics sequencing, are needed to clarify whether the compositions of gut microbiota at the species level are fully restored.
High‐resolution imaging of organic pharmaceutical crystals by transmission electron microscopy and scanning moiré fringes
Authors: S'ARI M. , KONIUCH N. , BRYDSON R. , HONDOW N. , BROWN A.
Published: January 2020

Formulation processing of organic crystalline compounds can have a significant effect on drug properties, such as dissolution rate or tablet strength/hardness. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has the potential to resolve the atomic lattice of these crystalline compounds and, for example, identify the defect density on a particular crystal face, provided that the sensitivity of these crystals to irradiation by high‐energy electrons can be overcome. Here, we acquire high‐resolution (HR) lattice images of the compound furosemide using two different methods: low‐dose HRTEM and bright‐field (BF) scanning TEM (STEM) scanning moiré fringes (SMFs). Before acquiring HRTEM images of furosemide, a model system of crocidolite (asbestos) was used to determine the electron flux/fluence limits of low‐dose HR imaging for our scintillator‐based, complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor (CMOS) electron camera by testing a variety of electron flux and total electron fluence regimes. An electron flux of 10 e−/(Å2 s) and total fluence of 10 e−/Å2 was shown to provide sufficient contrast and signal‐to‐noise ratio to resolve 0.30 nm lattice spacings in crocidolite at 300 kV. These parameters were then used to image furosemide which has a critical electron fluence for damage of ≥10 e−/Å2 at 300 kV. The resulting HRTEM image of a furosemide crystal shows only a small portion of the total crystal exhibiting lattice fringes, likely due to irradiation damage during acquisition close to the compound's critical fluence. BF‐STEM SMF images of furosemide were acquired at a lower electron fluence (1.8 e−/Å2), while still indirectly resolving HR details of the (001) lattice. Several different SMFs were observed with minor variations in the size and angle, suggesting strain due to defects within the crystal. Overall BF‐STEM SMFs appear to be more useful than BF‐STEM or HRTEM (with a CMOS camera) for imaging the crystal lattice of very beam‐sensitive materials since a lower electron fluence is required to reveal the lattice. BF‐STEM SMFs may thus prove useful in improving the understanding of crystallization pathways in organic compounds, degradation in pharmaceutical formulations and the effect of defects on the dissolution rate of different crystal faces. Further work is, however, required to quantitatively determine properties such as the defect density or the amount of relative strain from a BF‐STEM SMF image.
Focused ion beam preparation of microbeams for in situ mechanical analysis of electroplated nanotwinned copper with probe type indenters
Authors: ROBERTSON STUART , DOAK SCOTT , SUN FU‐LONG , LIU ZHI‐QUAN , LIU CHANGQING , ZHOU ZHAOXIA
Published: January 2020

A site‐specific xenon plasma focused ion beam preparation technique for microcantilever samples (1–20 µm width and 1:10 aspect ratio) is presented. The novelty of the methodology is the use of a chunk lift‐out onto a clean silicon wafer to facilitate easy access of a low‐cost probe type indenter which provides bending force measurement. The lift‐out method allows sufficient room for the indenter and a line of sight for the electron beam to enable displacement measurement. An electroplated nanotwinned copper (NTC) was cut to a 3 × 3 × 25 µm microbeam and in situ mechanically tested using the developed technique. It demonstrated measured values of Youngs modulus of 78.7 ± 11 GPa and flow stress of 0.80 ± 0.05 GPa, which is within the ranges reported in the literature.

Lay Description

In this paper a site specific method is present for making particularly small mechanical tests samples, of the order of 100th the size of a human hair. These small samples can then be used to determine the mechanical properties of the bulk material. Copper with a nano twinned grain structure is used as a test medium.

Ion milling was used to cut the sample to shape and a micro probe was used for mechanical testing. Ion milling can cut away very small volumes of material as it accelerates ions at the surface of the sample, atomically machining the sample. Micro probes are a cost‐effective small‐scale load measurement devices, however, they require a large area for accessing the sample. The indenter requirements are a problem when making you samples with ion milling as ion millers are best at making small cuts. Our aim was to design a cutting strategy which reduces the amount of cutting required while allowing samples to be fabricated anywhere on the sample.

We used a chunk lift out technique to remove a piece of material which is then welded to a wafer of silicon this gives sufficient space around the sample for ion milling and testing. The additional space allowed easy access for the probe. A 3 × 3 × 10 µm micro cantilever beam was cut out from copper, this beam was then bent. The force from bending and distance bent was measured and converted into Youngs modulus which is a measure of flexibility. The modulus value measured was comparable to the values reported in other papers.
Cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase and D1 dopamine receptors regulate diacylglycerol lipase‐α and synaptic 2‐arachidonoyl glycerol signaling
Authors: Shonesy Brian C. , Stephenson Jason R. , Marks Christian R. , Colbran Roger J.
Published: January 2020

Brain endocannabinoids serve as retrograde neurotransmitters, being synthesized in post‐synaptic neurons “on demand” and released to bind pre‐synaptic cannabinoid receptors and suppress glutamatergic or GABAergic transmission. The most abundant brain endocannabinoid, 2 arachidonoyl glycerol (2‐AG), is primarily synthesized by diacylglycerol lipase‐α (DGLα), which is activated by poorly understood mechanisms in response to calcium influx following post‐synaptic depolarization and/or the activation of Gq‐coupled group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors. However, the impact of other neurotransmitters and their downstream signaling pathways on synaptic 2‐AG signaling has not been intensively studied. Here, we found that DGLα activity in membrane fractions from transfected HEK293T cells was significantly increased by in vitro phosphorylation using cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA). Moreover, PKA directly phosphorylated DGLα at Ser798 in vitro. Elevation of cAMP levels in HEK293 cells expressing DGLα increased Ser798 phosphorylation, as detected using a phospho‐Ser798‐specific antibody, and enhanced DGLα activity; this in situ enhancement of DGLα activity was prevented by mutation of Ser798 to Ala. We investigated the impact of PKA on synaptic 2‐AG mobilization in mouse striatal slices by manipulating D1‐dopamine receptor (D1R) signaling and assessing depolarization‐induced suppression of excitation, a DGLα‐ and 2‐AG‐dependent form of short‐term synaptic depression. The magnitude of depolarization‐enhanced suppression of excitation in direct pathway medium spiny neurons was increased by pre‐incubation with a D1R agonist, and this enhancement was blocked by post‐synaptic inhibition of PKA. Taken together, these findings provide new molecular insights into the complex mechanisms regulating synaptic endocannabinoid signaling.

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Intensity, Duration, and Frequency of Post‐Dialysis Fatigue in Patients on Chronic Haemodialysis
Authors: Bossola Maurizio , Di Stasio Enrico , Monteburini Tania , Parodi Emanuele , Ippoliti Fabio , Bonomini Mario , Santarelli Stefano , Eugenio Nebiolo Pier , Sirolli Vittorio , Cenerelli Stefano
Published: January 2020

Background

Although frequent and debilitating, little is known about the characteristics of post‐dialysis fatigue (PDF).

Objective

To characterise the intensity, duration and frequency of PDF and the associated variables in patients on chronic haemodialyses.

Design

Prospective, observational and multicenter study.

Patients

We studied 271 patients.

Measurements

Patients were considered to be suffering from PDF if they spontaneously offered this complaint when asked the open‐ended question: “Do you feel fatigued after dialysis? Then, each patient was invited to rate the intensity, duration and frequency of PDF from 1 to 5.

Results

One hundred sixty‐four patients (60.5%) had PDF. The median [95% confidence interval (CI)] scores of PDF intensity, duration and frequency were 3 (3–4), 3 (3–4) and 4 (4‐4), respectively. The median (95% CI) of the sum of the scores (Sum Score) of PDF intensity, duration and frequency was 11 (10–12). Seventy four patients had a Sum Score ≥ 12. Using multiple regression analysis, PDF intensity was associated with dialytic age and ultrafiltration rate (UFR), PDF duration with dialytic age, while PDF fatigue frequency was associated with height. The Sum Score was associated with dialytic age and recovery time and negatively associated with daily activity, height and UFR (ml/kg/h).

Conclusion

The intensity, duration and frequency of PDF are high in a large percentage of patients, suggesting that PDF is an intense event in terms of quantity and quality. Understanding the relationship between the variables associated with PDF and its intensity, duration and frequency may help better understand the underlying mechanisms of this burdensome condition.
Exploring the Alignment of Behavior Screening Policies and Practices in US Public School Districts
Authors: Auerbach Emily R. , Chafouleas Sandra M. , Briesch Amy M. , Long Stephanie J.
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Although recent studies provide information regarding state‐level policies and district‐level practices regarding social, emotional, and behavioral screening, the degree to which these policies influence screening practices is unknown. As such, the purpose of this exploratory study was to compare state‐ and district‐level policies and reported practices around school‐based social, emotional, and behavioral screening.

METHODS

We obtained data for the present study from three sources: (1) a recent systematic review of state department of education websites; (2) a national survey of 1330 US school districts; and (3) a Web search and review of policy manuals published by the 1330 school districts. Comparative analyses were used to identify similarities and differences across state and district policies and practices.

RESULTS

Of the 1330 districts searched, 911 had policy manuals available for review; 87 of these policy manuals, which represented 10 states, met inclusion criteria, and thus, were included in analyses. Discrepancies were found across state and district policies and across state social, emotional, and behavioral screening guidance and district practices, but consistencies did exist across district policies within the same state.

CONCLUSION

District‐level guidance around social, emotional, and behavioral screening appears to be limited. Our findings suggest a disconnect between state‐ and district‐level social, emotional, and behavioral screening guidance and district reported practices, which signifies the need to identify the main influences on district‐ and school‐level screening practices.
Possible influence of free fatty acid receptors on pH regulation in the ruminal epithelium of sheep
Authors: Baaske Lisa , Masur Franziska , Dengler Franziska , Rackwitz Reiko , Kaiser Bastian , Pfannkuche Helga , Gäbel Gotthold
Published: January 2020

High amounts of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) occur in the ovine rumen and constitute the animal's main energy source. However, they lead to an acidification of the ruminal epithelium. Therefore, effective intracellular pH (pHi) regulation by transport proteins like monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) and Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) is pivotal to ruminants to avoid epithelial damage. SCFAs might function not only as nutrients but also as signalling molecules by activating free fatty acid receptors (FFARs) in the ruminal epithelium and thus influence pHi regulation. FFARs work as nutrient sensors, transducing their information by modulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels. We hypothesized that (FFAR‐modulated) decreases in cAMP levels stimulate the activity of MCT1 and NHEs in the ruminal epithelium of sheep. We detected two FFARs (GPR109A and FFAR2) immunohistochemically in the ovine ruminal epithelium. Administration of 10 mM butyrate to Ussing chamber‐mounted epithelia provoked a significant reduction in intraepithelial cAMP levels. However, application of the GPR109A agonist niacin did not affect cAMP levels. MCT1 activity was analysed by measuring transepithelial 14C‐acetate fluxes, which were not inhibited by forskolin‐induced increased cAMP levels. The recovery of pHi after acidification was assessed as an indicator of NHE activity in primary cultured ruminal epithelial cells. Recovery was significantly reduced when cells with increased cAMP levels were subjected to the NHE inhibitor 5‐(N‐ethyl‐N‐isopropyl)‐amiloride (10 µM). Nonetheless, with augmented cAMP levels alone, NHE activity tended to decline. We hypothesize that modulation of cAMP levels by butyrate is accomplished by FFAR2 activation, regulating NHE activity for pHi homoeostasis at least in part.
Tracheal microbial populations in horses with moderate asthma
Authors: Manguin Estelle , Pépin Elizabeth , Boivin Roxane , Leclere Mathilde
Published: January 2020

Background

There are limited data on potential dysbiosis of the airway microbiota in horses with asthma.

Hypothesis/Objectives

We hypothesized that the respiratory microbiota of horses with moderate asthma is altered. Our objectives were (a) to quantify tracheal bacterial populations using culture and qPCR, (2) to compare aerobic culture and qPCR, and (c) to correlate bacterial populations with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology.

Animals

Eighteen horses with moderate asthma from a hospital population and 10 controls.

Methods

Prospective case‐control study. Aerobic culture was performed on tracheal aspirates, and streptococci,Pasteurella multocida,Chlamydophilaspp.,Mycoplasmaspp., as well as 16S (bacterial) and 18S (fungal) rRNA subunits were quantified by qPCR.

Results

Potential pathogens such asStreptococcusspp.,Actinobacillusspp., andPasteurellaceaewere isolated from 8, 5, and 6 horses with asthma and 3, 0, and 2 controls, respectively. There was a positive correlation betweenStreptococcusspp. DNA and 16S rRNA gene (r ≥ 0.7,P≤ 0.02 in both groups), but the overall bacterial load (16S) was lower in asthma (1.5 ± 1.3 versus 2.5 ± 0.8 × 104copy/μL,P < 0.05). There was no association between microbial populations and clinical signs, tracheal mucus or BALF inflammation.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study does not support that bacterial overgrowth is a common feature of chronic moderate asthma in horses. Lower bacterial load could suggest dysbiosis of the lower airways, either as a consequence of chronic inflammation or previous treatments, or as a perpetuating factor of inflammation.
Traditional and quantitative analysis of acid‐base and electrolyte imbalances in horses competing in cross‐country competitions at 2‐star to 5‐star level
Authors: Kirsch Katharina , Sandersen Charlotte
Published: January 2020

Background

Early recognition and management of acid‐base, fluid, and electrolyte disorders are crucial for the maintenance of health and performance in equine athletes.

Objectives

To analyze changes in acid‐base and electrolyte status associated with exercise during cross‐country competitions at different levels using traditional and quantitative approaches.

Animals

Thirty‐eight eventing horses.

Methods

Prospective observational study. Jugular venous blood samples were collected before and after the cross‐country test of 25 international eventing competitions ranging from 2‐star (formerly 1‐star) to 5‐star (formerly 4‐star) level. Blood gas analysis was performed to determine pH,pCO2, Na+, Cl−, and K+and calculate HCO3−, tCO2base excess (BEECF), anion gap (AG), strong ion difference calculated from Na+, K+, Cl−, and lactate−(SID4), strong ion difference calculated from Na+, K+, and Cl−(SID3), strong ion gap (SIG), and total nonvolatile weak buffer concentration (Atot). Postexercise acid‐base imbalances, diagnosed on the basis of the traditional approach, and the simplified strong ion model were compared.

Results

Significant decreases in pH, Cl−, SID4,pCO2, HCO3−, tCO2, and BEECFas well as increases in K+, SID3, AG, TP, and Atotwere observed between pre‐ and postexercise samples. The changes in acid‐base parameters were significantly affected by the competition level. Using the strong ion approach, a higher proportion of horses was diagnosed with postexercise metabolic acidosis.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Regarding the complex acid‐base changes in horses competing at cross‐country competitions, the quantitative approach provided a more detailed analysis of the different factors contributing to acid‐base balance than did the traditional approach.
Against the grain? A historical institutional analysis of access governance of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in Ethiopia
Authors: Mulesa Teshome H. , Westengen Ola T.
Published: January 2020

Farmers' and breeders' access to a genetic diversity is essential for food system sustainability. The implementation of international agreements regulating access to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) varies substantially between countries. Here, we examine why some countries implement a restrictive access governance regime, taking Ethiopia as a case. Drawing on commons theory and historical institutional analysis, we analyze historical, political, and economic factors that have shaped Ethiopia's access regime. Based on interviews with key actors and stakeholders and document analysis, we identify three overarching ideational and material factors that can explain Ethiopia's current policy: (a) the influence of narratives about Ethiopia as a biodiversity treasure trove on the Ethiopian cultural identity; (b) the economic importance of agriculture based on PGRFA with origin in the country; and (c) the political influence of the genetic resource movement that promotes farmers' rights as a counter measure to stringent intellectual property rights (IPR), and on‐farm PGRFA management as complimentary to ex situ conservation and formal seed system development. The Ethiopian case illustrates that countries' governance of access to PGRFA must be understood in connection with, and not in isolation from, IPR regimes and the historical, political, and cultural role of PGRFA in the country in question.
Improving diet assessment of Arctic terrestrial predators with the size of rodent mandibles
Authors: Schmidt E. , Fauteux D. , Therrien J.‐F. , Gauthier G. , Seyer Y.
Published: January 2020

Predator–prey interactions can control population fluctuations of several terrestrial vertebrates and energy fluxes in food webs. Quantifying these interactions typically requires the number of prey consumed by predators to be known, but prey size is often ignored. We hypothesized that rodent mandibles, which are routinely found in predatory bird pellets and mammalian scats, could be used to accurately determine prey size and thus estimate biomass consumed by Arctic predators. We used 1863 lemmings and voles from museum and field specimens collected across the North American Arctic to relate three measurements of the dentary bone and one on the molar toothrow with individual body mass. When species and location of specimens are known, our results suggest that the body mass of small rodents can be estimated with high precision using the dentary bone measurements (average R2 ranging from 0.73 to 0.81), especially for lemmings and Microtus voles. Body mass can also be estimated with reasonable precision using the dentary bone measurements even when species or location was unknown (0.71 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.80). Equations to convert mandible size to body mass are provided for site‐ and species‐specific estimations. Geographic variations in the relationship between mandible size and body mass were found, suggesting potential effects of genetic isolation or interactions with the immediate environment on size. Using mandible measurements in prey remains allows more precise estimation of biomass consumed by predators, which is essential to quantify energy fluxes within ecosystems and examine resource partitioning among Arctic predators.
Changes in forest cover result in a shift in bird community composition
Authors: Corkery I. , Irwin S. , Quinn J. L. , Keating U. , Lusby J. , O'Halloran J.
Published: January 2020

Determining the extent of land‐use change that can be tolerated by wildlife communities is crucial for effective conservation management. Recent landscape‐scale studies have found increasing evidence for critical threshold levels of forest cover, after which the existing communities of plants and animals are negatively impacted. This is particularly true when plantation forests replace native vegetation. We used large datasets (Irish Bird Atlas and Forest Inventory) and a novel method, Latent Dirichlet Allocation, to model changes in bird community composition along the existing forest cover gradient in Ireland and evaluated the degree of spatial overlap between birds of conservation concern and areas of recent afforestation. We found that as we approach 35% forest cover in the landscape one community of birds replaces another as the dominant community. The highest levels of recent afforestation overlapped with areas of high numbers of birds of conservation concern. This means that habitat change is occurring in the areas with highest bird diversity. This finding has policy implications for the design of land‐use policies, such as those on afforestation and forest expansion. It can be used to ensure plantation forests are planted in the right place to minimise impact on biodiversity values; that is, practitioners need to consider the level of forest already present in an area as well as the level of biodiversity in the area when selecting areas for afforestation.
Predictors of individual differences in play behavior in Eurasian lynx cubs
Authors: Antonevich A. L. , Rödel H. G. , Hudson R. , Alekseeva G. S. , Erofeeva M. N. , Naidenko S. V.
Published: January 2020

In many mammals, play is one of the most conspicuous behaviors during early development, but with notable inter‐individual variation even within the same litter. We investigated predictors of such variation in the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), with a focus on potential effects of cubs' early body mass on the frequency of initiating play. We studied 45 cubs from 18 litters, kept in enclosures together with their mother. Observations started when cubs began to leave the natal den (around postnatal day 30) and lasted until weaning (around postnatal day 90). Individual differences in play were consistent over time, across all cubs as well as among littermates. The initiation of different play categories – with siblings, with the mother and solitary play – was positively associated and showed a similar developmental pattern. Cubs' body mass was positively associated with the frequency of play events; heavier cubs initiated play more often than lighter ones. This is consistent with the surplus resource theory, that is, that heavier young might have more energy resources available to allocate to play. Alternatively, lighter cubs may have initiated play less often to avoid asymmetrical rough‐and‐tumble interactions with their heavier siblings. Additionally, we found that offspring from middle‐age mothers initiated play more frequently than offspring from younger or older mothers. As cubs from middle‐age mothers had higher growth rates, this finding is again consistent with the surplus resource theory. Important questions for future research are whether such stable individual differences in play during early development correlate with other behavioral traits and translate into individual differences in behavior in later life.
Using Emotions to Frame Issues and Identities in Conflict: Farmer Movements on Social Media
Authors: Stevens Tim M. , Aarts Noelle , Dewulf Art
Published: January 2020

Polarization and group formation processes on social media networks have received ample academic attention, but few studies have looked into the discursive interactions on social media through which intergroup conflicts develop. In this comparative case study, we analyzed two social media conflicts between farmers and animal right advocates to understand how conflicts establish, escalate, and return dormant through issue and identity framing and the discursive use of emotions. The results show that the two groups used the same set of frames throughout the three phases. We identify this as a symmetric conflict framing repertoire. The groups both use a dominant moral frame (animal welfare is of absolute value), but express distinct views on policy solutions. This triggers a contestation of credibility (who knows best and who cares most for animals) in which the two groups use the same set of issue and identity frames to directly oppose each other. The binary opposition is initially established through issue framing but escalates into an identity conflict that involves group labeling and blaming. The discursive use of emotion reinforces this escalation in two ways. First, it reinforces a vicious cycle in the contestation of credibility: While emotions are implicitly used to frame oneself as caring and trustworthy, emotion is explicitly used to frame the other party as deceptive and irrational. Second, disputants use collective emotions as a response to the other group’s offensive actions (blaming) and as a justification of one’s own collective actions. We discuss how this conflict differs from previously studied conflicts to provide plausible explanations for these findings.
Ghrelin‐insulin‐like growth factor‐1 axis is activated via autonomic neural circuits in the non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Nagoya Takuro , Kamimura Kenya , Inoue Ryosuke , Ko Masayoshi , Owaki Takashi , Niwa Yusuke , Sakai Norihiro , Setsu Toru , Sakamaki Akira , Yokoo Takeshi , Kamimura Hiroteru , Nakamura Yuka , Ueno Masaki , Terai Shuji
Published: January 2020

Background

The correlation of the growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been reported in epidemiological studies. However, the mechanisms of molecular and inter‐organ systems that render these factors to influence on NAFLD have not been elucidated. In this study, we examined the induction of ghrelin which is the GH‐releasing hormone and IGF‐1, and involvement of autonomic neural circuits, in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.

Methods

The expression of gastric and hypothalamic ghrelin, neural activation in the brain, and serum IGF‐1 were examined in NAFLD models of choline‐deficient defined l‐amino‐acid diet‐fed, melanocortin 4 receptor knockout mice, and partial hepatectomy mice with or without the blockades of autonomic nerves to test the contribution of neural circuits connecting the brain, liver, and stomach.

Key Results

The fatty changes in the liver increased the expression of gastric ghrelin through the autonomic pathways which sends the neural signals to the arcuate nucleus in the hypothalamus through the afferent vagal nerve which reached the pituitary gland to release GH and then stimulate the IGF‐1 release from the liver. In addition, high levels of ghrelin expression in the arcuate nucleus were correlated with NAFLD progression regardless of the circuits.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that the fatty liver stimulates the autonomic nervous signal circuits which suppress the progression of the disease by activating the gastric ghrelin expression, the neural signal transduction in the brain, and the release of IGF‐1 from the liver.
Behavioral economics—A framework for donor organ decision‐making in pediatric heart transplantation
Authors: Butler Alison , Chapman Gretchen , Johnson Jonathan N. , Amodeo Antonio , Böhmer Jens , Camino Manuela , Davies Ryan R. , Dipchand Anne I. , Godown Justin , Miera Oliver , Pérez‐Blanco Alicia , Rosenthal David N. , Zangwill Steve , Kirk Richard
Published: January 2020

The high discard rate of pediatric donor hearts presents a major challenge for children awaiting heart transplantation. Recent literature identifies several factors that contribute to the disparities in pediatric donor heart usage, including regulatory oversight, the absence of guidelines on pediatric donor heart acceptance, and variation among transplant programs. However, a likely additional contributor to this issue are the behavioral factors influencing transplant team decisions in donor offer scenarios, a topic that has not yet been studied in detail. Behavioral economics and decision psychology provide an excellent foundation for investigating decision‐making in the pediatric transplant setting, offering key insights into the behavior of transplant professionals. We conducted a systematic review of published literature in pediatric heart transplant related to behavioral economics and the psychology of decision‐making. In this review, we draw on paradigms from these two domains in order to examine how existing aspects of the transplant environment, including regulatory oversight, programmatic variation, and allocation systems, may precipitate potential biases surrounding donor offer decisions. Recognizing how human decision behavior influences donor acceptance is a first step toward improving utilization of potentially viable pediatric donor hearts.
Improvement of native pulmonary alveolar proteinosis after contralateral single living‐donor lobar lung transplantation: A case report
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuma , Ohkouchi Shinya , Sasahara Yoji , Ebina Masahito , Nakata Koh , Saito Ryoko , Akiba Miki , Sado Tetsu , Oishi Hisashi , Watanabe Tatsuaki , Kurosawa Hajime , Okada Yoshinori
Published: January 2020

PAP is a rare disease characterized by the accumulation of surfactant materials in the alveolar spaces due to the imbalance of surfactant homeostasis (production and clearance). We herein report a case of an 8‐year‐old girl who developed PAP after BMT from her mother for the treatment of DBA. The anemia was improved by BMT; however, respiratory dysfunction due to graft‐versus‐host disease gradually progressed. She eventually underwent right single LDLLT from her mother when she was 14 years old. A pathological examination of the excised lung confirmed the finding of diffuse bronchiolitis obliterans and unexpectedly revealed widespread alveolar proteinosis. Interestingly, the GGO of her native left lung on chest X‐ray was improved after LDLLT. We present the very unique clinical course of this patient and discuss the mechanisms underlying the development of PAP after BMT and its improvement after LDLLT from the same donor.
Reproductive biology and pollinators in two enantiostylous Qualea species (Vochysiaceae) in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Morais J. M. , Consolaro H. N. , Bergamini L. L. , Ferrero V.
Published: January 2020

Enantiostyly is a floral polymorphism in which two floral forms in the same species differ in deflection of the stigma to right or left position. In monomorphic enantiostylous plants, flowers of the two morphs occur within the same individual, usually in the same proportion. In self‐compatible species the function of monomorphic enantiostyly is proposed to increase outcrossing rates and offer a reproductive advantage under pollination limitation. Enantiostylous species are usually self‐compatible and show heteranthery, with poricide anthers and pollen as pollinator reward; however, there are families, such as Vochysiaceae, that have different characteristics.

We analysed the reproductive system and pollination biology of Qualea parviflora and Q. multiflora, two enantiostylous species from the Brazilian Cerrado that have specific morphological and physiological traits. For this, we characterized flower traits, performed hand pollinations and studied floral visitors.

We found no differences between morphs in the proportion of flowers, nectar produced or its concentration, pollen quantity and fruit set. Both species were self‐incompatible and quite generalist regarding floral visitors.

Enantiostyly in self‐incompatible plants seems to confer a reproductive advantage by reducing self‐interference resulting from stigma clogging. This novel result helps to expand our knowledge on this complex floral polymorphism and opens new avenues for future research on this topic.
The Persistence of Weapons: Global Evidence
Authors: Asongu Simplice A. , Uduji Joseph I. , Okolo‐Obasi Elda N.
Published: January 2020

This article investigates persistence (or hysteresis) in weapons using a panel of 163 countries for the period 2010‐15. The following are some main findings: (1) compared to countries that are landlocked, persistence in heavy weapons is more apparent in nations that are open to the sea; (2) relative to the Middle East and North Africa, heavy weapons are more persistent in the East Asia and the Pacific countries. This tendency is consistent with “weapons imports;” (3) evidence of persistence is not very apparent in “weapons imports” with the exception of the fact that it is higher in low‐income countries, compared to their high‐income counterparts. Hence, there is less hysteresis in weapons exports when compared with heavy weapons exports; and (4) the determinants of persistence employed in the conditioning information set are contingent on fundamental characteristics and panels. Policy implications are discussed.

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