bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Melatonin delays photoreceptor degeneration in a mouse model of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Xu Xiao‐Jian , Wang Shu‐Min , Jin Ying , Hu Yun‐Tao , Feng Kang , Ma Zhi‐Zhong
Published: June 2017

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) comprises a group of incurable inherited retinal degenerations. Targeting common processes, instead of mutation‐specific treatment, has proven to be an innovative strategy to combat debilitating retinal degeneration. Growing evidence indicates that melatonin possesses a potent activity against neurodegenerative disorders by mitigating cell damage associated with apoptosis and inflammation. Given the pleiotropic role of melatonin in central nervous system, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether melatonin would afford protection against retinal degeneration in autosomal recessive RP (arRP). Rd10, a well‐characterized murine model of human arRP, received daily intraperitoneal injection of melatonin (15 mg/kg) between postnatal day (P) 13 and P30. Retinas treated with melatonin or vehicle were harvested for analysis at P30 and P45, respectively. The findings showed that melatonin could dampen the photoreceptors death and delay consequent retinal degeneration. We also observed that melatonin weakened the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in Müller cells. Additionally, melatonin could alleviate retinal inflammatory response visualized by IBA1 staining, which was further corroborated by downregulation of inflammation‐related genes, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnf‐α), chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (Ccl2), and chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 10 (Cxcl10). These data revealed that melatonin could ameliorate retinal degeneration through potentially attenuating apoptosis, reactive gliosis, and microglial activation in rd10 mice. Moreover, these results suggest melatonin as a promising agent improving photoreceptors survival in human RP.
Effect of transglutaminase on quality and gel properties of pork and fish mince mixtures
Authors: Li Qingzheng , Gui Ping , Huang Zhan , Feng Ligeng , Luo Yongkang
Published: June 2017

Transglutaminase (TGase) is widely applied in the meat industry, and mixing of meat from various sources is an efficient way to enhance the quality of meat products. In this study, sensory scores, color, gel properties, water holding capacity and microstructure of mince mixtures, treated with 0.4% TGase, were determined to investigate the effect of TGase and mixing ratios (pork/fish, 10:0, 7:3, 5:5, 3:7, 0:10) on quality and gel properties of mince mixtures composed of pork and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). Results indicated that the mixture improved the sensory quality and gel properties of meat products compared to control group. The addition of TGase significantly (p < .05) increased the gel strength, especially at 7:3 ratio of pork and silver carp, in which gel strength reached its maximum and was 10.26%, 64.15% greater than pork with TGase and without TGase respectively, and water holding capacity were greater, and microstructure became more compact. The results suggest the synergetic interaction between proteins of pork and silver carp. TGase increased the interaction, especially for mixing proportion of 7:3 (pork/fish). Those results could be useful for the development of mixed and new meat products in the food industry.

Practical applications

Pork and silver carp are two main meat in diet, and mince mixtures can improve the nutrition of meat product. TGase is usually used to enhance the texture and gel properties of meat in industry. The addition of TGase in pork/fish mince mixtures can not only improve the texture, but catalyze the synergetic interaction between proteins from different meat and further enhance gel properties of mice mixtures in a certain ratio. All of that will provide reference for meat processing and development of new meat product.
Prevalence of hepatitis B antiviral drug resistance variants in North American patients with chronic hepatitis B not receiving antiviral treatment
Authors: Lok A. S. , Ganova‐Raeva L. , Cloonan Y. , Punkova L. , Lin H.‐H. S. , Lee W. M. , Ghany M. G.
Published: June 2017

Antiviral drug resistance hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants (HBV‐DR) occur spontaneously in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and after exposure to nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs). We determined the prevalence of HBV‐DR variants among participants of the Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN) Cohort Study conducted at 21 sites in the United States (US) and Canada. Samples obtained from 1342 CHB participants aged ≥18 years, and who were currently not receiving NUCs, were tested for HBV‐DR variants by Sanger sequencing. In addition, next generation sequencing (NGS) was used to characterize HBV‐DR variants from 66 participants with and 66 participants with no prior NUC exposure matched for HBV genotype and HBV DNA level. Half the participants were men, 75% Asian, 26% HBeAg positive. Primary HBV‐DR variants were detected by Sanger sequencing in 16 (1.2%) participants: 2/142 (1.4%) with and 14/1200 (1.2%) without prior NUC exposure; only 1 of these 16 had a secondary variant. In total, 23 (1.7%) participants had secondary variants, including 1 with prior NUC experience. In the subset of 132 participants, NGS detected HBV‐DR variants in a higher proportion of participants: primary variants in 18 (13.6%) (8 [12.1%] with, and 10 [15.2%] without prior NUC therapy) and secondary variants in 10 (7.6%) participants. Based on Sanger sequencing, prevalence of primary HBV‐DR variants is low (1.2%) among adults with CHB in US/Canada. The similar low prevalence of HBV‐DR variants in participants with and without NUC treatment suggests transmission of these variants is uncommon.
Pharmacokinetics of Eugenol in Japanese Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Tago Akio , Yokoyama Saichiro , Ishikawa Manabu , Koshio Shunsuke
Published: June 2017

Eugenol, which has been used as an anesthetic for fish, was administered to Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (127 ± 50.8 g), by bath treatment at concentrations of 0.025, 0.125, and 0.25 mL/L seawater for 10 min and intramuscular injection at 40 μL/fish to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of eugenol in the plasma of Japanese flounder. In the bath treatment test, plasma eugenol concentration increased with increasing eugenol concentration up to 0.125 mL/L and reached steady state within 5 min. After a 10‐min bath treatment in 0.25 mL/L eugenol, plasma eugenol concentration was about 58.4 µg/mL. After transfer into running seawater, plasma eugenol concentration decreased biphasically with half‐lives of 0.0296 h (α‐phase) and 0.289 h (β‐phase). The AUC0000→0800 was about 16.5 µg h/mL. In administration by intramuscular injection, plasma eugenol concentration increased rapidly after administration and decreased biphasically with half‐lives of 0.0329 h (α‐phase) and 8.08 h (β‐phase). The AUC0000→0800 was about 52.5 µg h/mL. In both methods of administration, Japanese flounder with average weight of 127 g were effectively anesthetized when plasma eugenol concentrations were between 2.19 and 4.88 µg/mL.
Response of Pond‐raised Fingerling Hybrid Catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus, to Dietary Protein Concentrations and Sources
Authors: Li Menghe H. , Wise David J. , Mischke Charles C. , Kumar Ganesh , Lucas Penelope M.
Published: June 2017

This study examined four experimental diets with different protein concentrations and sources for pond‐raised fingerling hybrid catfish, ♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus. A 35% protein diet with fishmeal was used as the control diet. Test diets were 32 and 28% all‐plant‐protein diets and a 28% protein diet with porcine meat, bone, and blood meal. Small fingerlings with a mean initial weight of 2.9 g/fish were stocked into 20 earthen ponds (0.04 ha) at a density of 172,970 fish/ha. They were fed once daily to apparent satiation for 107 d. No significant differences were observed for total diet fed, gross yield, final weight, survival, or condition factor among dietary treatments. However, fish fed the 28 and 32% all‐plant‐protein diets had a significantly higher feed conversion ratio than fish fed the 35% protein diet with fishmeal. There were no significant differences in chlorophyll a and nitrite concentrations in the pond water, but ponds receiving the 35% protein diet had significantly higher ammonia than those receiving 28% protein diets. Economic analysis suggested potential cost savings by using low‐protein and all‐plant‐protein diets for hybrid catfish fingerling production.
groEL is a suitable genetic marker for detecting Vibrio parahaemolyticus by loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay
Authors: Siddique M.P. , Jang W.J. , Lee J.M. , Ahn S.H. , Suraiya S. , Kim C.H. , Kong I.S.
Published: June 2017

A groEL gene-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed to detect Vibrio parahaemolyticus in contaminated seafood and water. The assay was optimized and conducted at 63°C for 40 min using Bacillus stearothermophilus (Bst) DNA polymerase, large fragment. Amplification was analysed via multiple detection methods, including opacity, formation of white precipitate, DNA intercalating dyes (ethidium bromide and SYBR Green I), metal ion-binding indicator dye, calcein, and 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. A characteristic ladder-like band pattern on agarose gel and the desired colour changes when using different dyes were observed in positive cases, and these were species-specific for V. parahaemolyticus when compared with other closely related Vibrio spp. The limit of detection (LoD) of this assay was 100 fg per reaction, 100-fold higher than that for conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When tested on artificially contaminated seafood and seawater, the LoDs of the LAMP assay were 120 and 150 fg per reaction respectively, and those of conventional PCR were 120 and 150 pg per reaction respectively. Based on our results, the groEL gene-based LAMP assay is rapid, specific, sensitive, and reliable for detecting V. parahaemolyticus, and it could be used in field diagnosis.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay using groEL gene (an abundant, highly conserved gene and member of the groESL chaperone gene family) provided rapid, species-specific and highly sensitive method for detecting Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the leading causal agent of seafood-borne diseases worldwide. Moreover, groEL LAMP revealed high efficiency than conventional PCR assay for V. parahaemolyticus using template both from pure culture and artificially contaminated seafood and water, which indicated the applicability in the field and environmental screening purpose for the organism.
Accretionary lapilli from the Sudbury impact event
Authors: Huber Matthew S. , Koeberl Christian
Published: June 2017

Meteorite impact‐generated accretionary lapilli are not well studied. The recently discovered distal ejecta from the 1850 Ma Sudbury impact event contain abundant accretionary lapilli generated during the impact and deposited at great distances from the crater. We petrographically and geochemically examined lapilli from five sites (McClure, Connors Creek, Hwy 588, Pine River, and Grand Trunk Pacific, approximately 480–750 km from the center of the Sudbury structure). The compositions of quartz, K‐feldspar, calcite, biotite, and chlorite minerals are similar to each other in all of the samples, although the relative proportions of the minerals vary from site to site. The lapilli occur in a matrix of coarse‐grained quartz, carbonate, and feldspar grains. Zonation within lapilli appears to be due to grain size distribution rather than compositional variation. The inner zones are coarser grained than outer zones. The relative abundances of calcite, phyllosilicates, and feldspars are similar in each zone within individual lapilli. A meteoritic component is indicated by up to 1.8 ppb Ir in one lapillus from the Pine River site, and Ni and Cr ratios are on a chondritic trend line for many of the lapilli. Mechanisms previously proposed for accretionary lapilli formation seem inadequate to explain deposition of distal accretionary lapilli resulting from impact events. A new mechanism for upper atmospheric accretion is proposed, whereby ash ejected from impact events concentrates at altitudes of neutral buoyancy, where it then accretes and is deposited later than ballistically emplaced particles. Likely, multiple processes are taking place in the chaotic postimpact environment.
Reconnaissance survey of the Duolun ring structure in Inner Mongolia: Not an impact structure
Authors: Xu Xiaoming , Kenkmann Thomas , Xiao Zhiyong , Sturm Sebastian , Metzger Nicolai , Yang Yu , Weimer Daniela , Krietsch Hannes , Zhu Meng‐Hua
Published: June 2017

The Duolun basin, which is located in Inner Mongolia, China, has been proposed to be an impact structure with an apparent rim diameter of about 70, or even 170 km. The designation as an impact structure was based on its nearly circular topography, consisting of an annular moat that surrounds an inner hummocky region, and the widespread occurrences of various igneous rocks, polymict breccias, and deformed crustal rocks. Critical shock metamorphic evidence is not available to support the impact hypothesis. We conducted two independent reconnaissance field surveys to this area and studied the lithology both within and outside of the ring structure. We collected samples from all lithologies that might contain evidence of shock metamorphism as suggested by their locations, especially those sharing similar appearances with impact breccias, suevites, impact melt rocks, and shatter cones. Field investigation, together with thin‐section examination, discovered that the suspected impact melt rocks are actually Early Cretaceous and Late Jurassic lava flows and pyroclastic deposits of rhyolitic to trachytic compositions, and the interpreted impact glass is typical volcanic glass. Petrographic analyses of all the samples reveal no indications for shock metamorphic overprint. All these lines of evidence suggest that the Duolun basin was not formed through impact cratering. The structural deformation and spatial distribution pattern of the igneous rocks suggest that the Duolun basin is most likely a Jurassic–Cretaceous complex rhyolite caldera system that has been partly filled with sediments forming an annular basin, followed by resurgent doming of the central area.
Professional responsibility and decision‐making in the context of a disease‐focused model of nursing care: The difficulties experienced by Spanish nurses
Authors: Rodrigo Olga , Caïs Jordi , Monforte‐Royo Cristina
Published: June 2017

When, in 1977, nurse education in Spain was transferred to universities a more patient‐centred, the Anglo‐American philosophy of care was introduced into a context in which nurses had traditionally prioritised their technical skills. This paper examines the characteristics of the nurse's professional role in Spain, where the model of nursing practice has historically placed them in a position akin to that of physician assistants. The study design was qualitative and used the method of analytic induction. Participants were selected by means of theoretical sampling and then underwent in‐depth interviews. The resulting material was analysed using an approach based on the principles of grounded theory. Strategies were applied to ensure the credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability of the findings. The main conclusion is that nurses in Spain continue to work within a disease‐focused model of care, making it difficult for them to take responsibility for decision‐making.
Lactarius kumaonensis sp. nov. (Russulaceae) from Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Uniyal Priyanka , Das Kanad , Bhatt R. P. , Singh Upendra , Mehmood Tahir
Published: June 2017

Lactarius kumaonensis, characterized by the combination of presence of greyish olive viscid pileus with glutinous crenulate margin, unchanging white latex and very thick ixocutis type of pileipellis, is proposed as new to science. A detailed macro‐ and micro‐morphological description, illustrations and ITS‐based phylogenetic reconstructions are also provided.
Mating timing, dispersal and local adaptation in patchy environments
Authors: Lakovic Milica , Mitesser Oliver , Hovestadt Thomas
Published: June 2017

Dispersal is a life‐history trait that can evolve under various known selective pressures as identified by a multitude of theoretical and empirical studies. Yet only few of them are considering the succession of mating and dispersal. The sequence of these events influences gene flow and consequently affects the dynamics and evolution of populations. We use individual‐based simulations to investigate the evolution of the timing of dispersal and mating, i.e. mating before or after dispersal. We assume a discrete insect metapopulation in a heterogeneous environment, where populations may adapt to local conditions and only females are allowed to disperse. We run the model assuming different levels of species habitat tolerance, carrying capacity, and temporal environmental variability. Our results show that in species with narrow habitat tolerance, low to moderate dispersal evolves in combination with mating after dispersal (post‐dispersal mating). With such a strategy dispersing females benefit from mating with a resident male, as their offspring will be better adapted to the local habitat conditions. On the contrary, in species with wide habitat tolerance higher dispersal rates in combination with pre‐dispersal mating evolves. In this case individuals are adapted to the ‘average’ habitat where pre‐dispersal mating conveys the benefit of carrying relatives’ genes into a new population. With high dispersal rates and large population size, local adaptation and kin structure both vanish and the temporal sequence of dispersal and mating may become a (nearly) neutral trait.
A global analysis of plant recovery performance from water stress
Authors: Yin Jingjing , Bauerle Taryn L.
Published: June 2017

Plant post‐drought recovery performance is essential to predict shifts in ecosystem dynamics and production during frequent climate change‐driven drought events. Yet, it is not clear how post‐drought recovery is related to evolutionary and geographic variations in plants. In this study, we generated a global data set of post‐drought recovery performance in 140 plant species from published studies. We quantified the plant post‐drought recovery performance by calculating a recovery index for multiple plant physiological and hydraulic parameters, including leaf water potential, net photosynthetic rate, leaf hydraulic conductance and shoot biomass. The magnitude of recovery among four plant functional types (deciduous angiosperms, evergreen angiosperms, gymnosperms, and crops), two plant growth forms (shrubs and trees), two water management strategies (isohydric and anisohydric), four xylem porosity types (diffuse, ring, semi‐ring and tracheid), and four major biomes (dry sclerophyll forest, boreal forest, temperate forest and tropical/subtropical forest) were compared. We found the inability to completely recover immediately after severe water stress is ubiquitous across all plant functional types and growth forms, while the rate and magnitude of post‐drought recovery varied greatly across different plant taxonomic categories and geographic ranges. In general, plant hydraulic architecture, leaf anatomy and physiology affect plants’ propensity towards recovery, and reflect evolutionary consequences of plant adaptation to their habitat. Due to the essential role of plant functional traits in regulating carbon storage in each biome, a better understanding plant post‐drought recovery performance could improve our predictions on ecosystem productivity in a rapidly changing climate.
A new gomphodont cynodont (Traversodontidae) from the Middle–Late Triassic Dinodontosaurus Assemblage Zone of the Santa Maria Supersequence, Brazil
Authors: Melo Tomaz P. , Martinelli Agustín G. , Soares Marina B.
Published: June 2017

The tetrapod faunas from the terrestrial Middle–Late Triassic basins of Africa and South America are among the richest in the world, especially in non‐mammalian cynodonts. Despite the great abundance of cynodont specimens found in these basins, there are few known taxa that exhibit interbasinal distributions. Here we describe a new species of traversodontid cynodont of the genus Scalenodon from the Triassic Dinodontosaurus Assemblage Zone of the Santa Maria Supersequence, from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Scalenodon ribeiroae sp. nov. is based on a partial skull that possesses a combination of features not observed in any other South American traversodontid: ellipsoid upper postcanines with the transverse crest formed by three cusps, lacking a mesiobuccal accessory cusp, and with lingual cusp projected lingually creating a concave lingual surface on the upper postcanines; the paracanine fossa is positioned medially to the upper canine, and jugal lacks a suborbital process. A phylogenetic analysis places the new taxon in a basal position within the Family Traversodontidae, with the African Scalenodon angustifrons as sister‐taxon. The new specimen of Scalenodon represents the first record of this genus outside of the Manda Beds of Tanzania, and reinforces the biostratigraphical and biogeographical connection between Gondwanan Middle–Late Triassic tetrapod faunas. Although recent advances have been made, our current knowledge of these faunas is limited by the lack of absolute dates for most units and by uncertainties in the taxonomy and stratigraphical provenance of key fossils.
Pre‐emptive rituximab for Epstein–Barr virus reactivation after haplo‐hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kobayashi Shogo , Sano Hideki , Mochizuki Kazuhiro , Ohara Yoshihiro , Takahashi Nobuhisa , Ohto Hitoshi , Kikuta Atsushi
Published: June 2017

Background

Epstein–Barr virus‐related post‐transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (EBV‐PTLD) is a serious complication in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the incidence and potential risk factors for EBV reactivation and to assess the efficacy of the management of EBV reactivation with pre‐emptive rituximab in children who had T‐cell‐replete haploidentical HSCT (TCR‐haplo‐SCT) with low‐dose anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG). EBV‐DNA level in peripheral blood (PB) was measured when suspected EBV reactivation were observed. When the EBV‐DNA level in PB increased to >1,000 copies/106 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), patients were pre‐emptively treated with rituximab (375 mg/m2/dose).

Results

A total of 19 (50%) of 38 patients received rituximab infusion at a median time of 56 days after HSCT (range, 17–270 days). The median viral load at initiation of therapy was 2,900 copies/106 PBMC (range, 1,000–650 000). Pre‐emptive therapy was started after a median of 2 days (range, 0–7 days). The median number of weekly treatment cycles was 2 (range, 1–3). None of the patients developed PTLD or other EBV‐associated diseases.

Conclusion

Pre‐emptive rituximab therapy could be a useful strategy for EBV‐PTLD in TCR‐haplo‐SCT recipients with low‐dose ATG.
Myeloperoxidase‐antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody causes different renal diseases by immune‐complex formation and pauci‐immune mechanism: A case report
Authors: Manabe Shun , Hatano Michiyasu , Nakano Marie , Fujii Teruhiro , Nitta Kosaku , Nagata Michio
Published: June 2017

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) has been known to cause pauci‐immune crescentic glomerulonephritis. In addition, several reports described membranous glomerulonephritis (MN) concurrent with ANCA‐associated glomerulonephritis. Because the two glomerular diseases simultaneously appear in an ANCA‐positive patient, the mechanisms whereby ANCA causes the two different glomerular diseases remain ambiguous. Herein, we report a case of 19‐year‐old man who presented with hematuria, pre‐nephrotic proteinuria, and high titer of myeloperoxidase (MPO)‐ANCA. The first renal biopsy revealed MN with chronic glomerular scar lesions of unknown etiology. Predominant immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 subclass and negative phospholipase‐A2 receptor staining, together with granular‐positive glomerular capillary co‐localization of MPO and IgG staining, suggested secondary MN due to MPO‐MPO‐ANCA immune‐complex. Five years later, the patient presented with fever, severe renal dysfunction, and alveolar hemorrhage with high titer of MPO‐ANCA that indicated pulmonary renal syndrome due to ANCA‐associated vasculitis. The second renal biopsy revealed pauci‐immune crescentic glomerulonephritis without either apparent MN‐lesion or glomerular IgG staining. This is the first reported case showing that MPO‐ANCA caused two different glomerular diseases, MN and pauci‐immune crescentic glomerulonephritis, in the same patient at the different time points. Our case indicated that common MPO‐ANCA might cause different glomerular diseases by different immune mechanisms.
Morphological and chemical variation of Stemona tuberosa from southern China – Evidence for heterogeneity of this medicinal plant species
Authors: Chen G. , Brecker L. , Felsinger S. , Cai X.‐H. , Kongkiatpaiboon S. , Schinnerl J.
Published: June 2017

The occurrence of bioactive alkaloids and tocopherols was studied in 15 different provenances of Stemona tuberosa Lour. collected in southern China, to examine chemical variation of individuals that show notable differences in flower characteristics. Morphological variations stimulated examination of chemical characteristics of these individuals.

Methanolic root extracts of 15 individuals of S. tuberosa were comparatively assessed with HPLC‐UV‐DAD/ELSD. Five of seven compounds were co‐chromatographically identified. Two compounds were isolated and their structure elucidated using NMR and MS. Amounts of alkaloids and tocopherols were determined using HPLC‐UV‐DAD/ELSD with the external standard method.

Five alkaloids, tuberostemonine (1), tuberostemonine A (2), neotuberostemonine (3), tuberostemonine N (4), stemoninine (5) and two 3,4‐dehydrotocopherol derivatives were identified. Within S. tuberosa alkaloid accumulation tends either towards tuberostemonine (1) or stemoninine (5). All individuals show a notable co‐occurrence of compounds 1 or 5 and 3,4‐dehydro‐δ‐tocopherol (6). These results coincide with differences in flower morphology of S. tuberosa.

Stemona tuberosa, as defined in the Flora of China, shows a remarkable variation in flower morphology and additionally in the accumulation of alkaloids. The obtained data show the need for future species delimitation to either species or subspecies level.
Regional distribution and integrity of equine ovarian pre‐antral follicles
Authors: Gonzalez SM , da Silva CB , Lindquist AG , Bufalo I , Morotti F , Lisboa LA , Seneda M
Published: June 2017

Contents

The goal of this study was to determine the distribution of pre‐antral follicles in the ovarian parenchyma of mares. For Experiment 1, each ovary was cut longitudinally at the greater curvature, performing two hemiovaries. After that, six fragments from each hemiovary were obtained, resulting in 12 fragments, which were divided into the innermost region of the parenchyma, the middle region and the outermost region. All the three obtained sections were cut transversally to obtain two fragments from each one. For Experiment 2, each ovary also submitted to a longitudinal cut on the greater curvature, forming two hemiovaries. Each hemiovary was sectioned into four symmetrical fragments, resulting in eight fragments per ovary. The fragments were related as being near to or far from the ovulatory fossa. The fragments of both experiments were immediately fixed in Carnoy for 12 hr and kept in 70% ethanol for 24 hr. Follicles were classified according to the stages of development and for morphological integrity according to oocyte morphology and granulosa cells. After the histological assessment, a total of 1,130 follicles were visualized from Experiment 1, being 1,054 (93.3%) primordial follicles and 76 (4.7%) follicles in development. The innermost region had the highest percentage of pre‐antral follicles compared to the other regions (p < .05). The middle and outermost regions showed higher percentages of intact primordial and developing follicles than the innermost region (p < .05). Considering Experiment 2, 938 follicles were found, being 894 (95.3%) primordial and 44 (4.7%) follicles in development. The region near the ovulatory fossa presented higher (58.7%; 551 of 938) follicular concentration compared to the region far from the ovulatory fossa (41.3%; 387 of 938; p < .05). As a conclusion, distribution of pre‐antral follicles in the equine ovary has a specific pattern through the parenchyma. Also, the follicular integrity differed in the studied ovarian areas.
The development and integrity of equine pre‐antral follicles cultured in vitro with follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) supplementation
Authors: Max MC , Silva CB , González SM , Lindquist AG , Búfalo I , Gomes RG , Morotti F , Costa CB , Barreiros TRR , Lisboa LA , Seneda MM
Published: June 2017

Contents

This study investigated the effects of different concentrations of FSH (10, 50, 100 and 200 ng/ml) in supplemented MEM+ on the development of equine pre‐antral follicles that were cultured in vitro for 2 or 6 days. The ovaries (n = 5) from mares in seasonal anoestrus were collected from a local abattoir. Ten ovarian tissue fragments of approximately 3 × 3 × 1 mm were obtained from each animal. The fragments were cultured in situ for 2 days (D2) or 6 days (D6) in MEM+ or MEM+ supplemented with FSH at four different concentrations, establishing the following 11 groups: control (D0); MEM + (D2); MEM + (D6); MEM + 10 ng/ml of FSH (D2); MEM + 10 ng/ml of FSH (D6); MEM + 50 ng/ml of FSH (D2); MEM + 50 ng/ml of FSH (D6); MEM + 100 ng/ml of FSH (D2); MEM + 100 ng/ml of FSH (D6); MEM + 200 ng/ml of FSH (D2); and MEM + 200 ng/ml of FSH (D6). Follicles were observed in only 9.65% (388 of 4,018) of the histological sections. Of the 861 follicles evaluated, 488 were in the primordial stage, and 373 were in various developmental stages; 59.7% were morphologically normal. Regarding the integrity of the pre‐antral follicles, the groups with 100 ng/ml FSH of 2‐days culture as well as 50, 100 and 200 ng/ml FSH of 6‐days culture provided the best results. In conclusion, the in vitro culture of abattoir‐derived equine ovarian fragments presented better morphological integrity when supplemented with FSH for 6 days, in comparison with the MEM culture group. However, no clear effects were observed with FSH regarding the promotion of activation from a primordial to a developing follicle.
Effect of dietary vitamin E and selenium supplementation on semen quality in Cairn Terriers with normospermia
Authors: Kirchhoff KT , Failing K , Goericke‐Pesch S
Published: June 2017

Contents

Among others, selenium (Se) and vitamin E (VitE) have been provided to dogs to improve semen quality. However, scientific evidence documenting an effect in dogs is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of these antioxidants on various ejaculate parameters in a randomized, double‐blinded trial using Cairn Terrier males exhibiting normal seminal quality parameters. Three dogs each were fed a standardized diet and supplemented with 0.1 mg Se, 100 mg VitE or 0.1 mg Se + 100 mg VitE/dog for 3 months. Ejaculate analyses (volume, progressive motility, vitality, morphology, concentration) were performed before inclusion (D0) and after 1, 2 and 3 months (+1, +2, +3). At the same time, glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX) and VitE in seminal plasma (SP) and GSH‐PX in blood samples were determined. Vitamin E levels in SP were below the detection limit (1.0 mg/L) in all samples. GSH‐PX in blood (164.0–2794.4 IU/L) and SP (18.4–4326.0 IU/L) was highly variable. Supplementation only significantly affected the total percentage of sperm head abnormalities (p = .011). Time significantly affected the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm (p = .025), sperm head abnormalities (p = .007), proximal droplets (p = .001) and GSH‐PX in SP (p = .015). Additionally, a significant interaction between time and group was identified for the percentage of membrane‐intact sperm (p = .048), head abnormalities (p = .018), acrosomal defects (p = .043) and proximal droplets (p = .002). Although some effects could be identified for selected parameters, we failed to identify a clear trend about how a 3 months VitE and/or Se supplementation affects semen parameters in normospermic Cairn Terriers.
Inequality of Opportunity and Economic Growth: How Much Can Cross‐Country Regressions Really Tell Us?
Authors: Ferreira Francisco H. G. , Lakner Christoph , Lugo Maria Ana , Özler Berk
Published: June 2017

Income differences arise from many sources. While some kinds of inequality, caused by differential rewards to effort, might be associated with faster economic growth, other kinds, arising from unequal opportunities for investment, might be detrimental to economic progress. This study uses two new datasets, consisting of 117 income and expenditure household surveys and 134 Demographic and Health Surveys, to revisit the relationship between total inequality and economic growth. In particular, we ask whether inequality of opportunity, driven by circumstances at birth, has a negative effect on subsequent growth. Using the income and expenditure micro dataset, we find that while both total income inequality and inequality of opportunity are negatively associated with growth, the coefficient estimates are insignificant. The evidence is similarly equivocal using the Demographic and Health Surveys data. On balance, the data do not provide support for the hypothesis that inequality of opportunity is bad for growth.
The physical deterioration of dialysis patients—Ignored, ill‐reported, and ill‐treated
Authors: Bennett Paul N. , Capdarest‐Arest Nicole , Parker Kristen
Published: June 2017

The progressive physical deterioration of dialysis patients is apparent to all who are involved in their care. Exercise can help stem this decline, yet exercise uptake in chronic and end‐stage kidney disease is low. The involvement of exercise professionals has been shown to significantly increase patients’ physical function and improve their quality of life. However, exercise professionals are scarce in renal programs, far less than dietetic and social work services. A review of 10 years of renal exercise publications in the physical therapy and rehabilitation literature found that only 0.4% (7 out of a total of 1763) of all published articles were focused on people with kidney disease. This compared with stroke (44%, n=883), arthritis/bone (29%, n=458), cancer (9%, n=168), respiratory (8%, n=106), cardiac (5%, n=82), and diabetes (3%, n=45). These results reflect the low emphasis placed on renal rehabilitation by the physical therapy professions and the low renal content in physical therapy tertiary education programs. This is likely to have an impact on the level of involvement of physical therapists in renal programs leading to lower physical function and poorer quality of life for renal patients.
Between Two Worlds: Source‐Country Gender Roles and Gender Differences in Educational Attainment among Immigrant Children
Authors: Abada Teresa , Frank Kristyn , Hou Feng
Published: June 2017

Recent scholarship has focused on the relationship between source‐country characteristics such as female labor force participation, fertility, level of economic development, gender role attitudes, and immigrants’ labor market assimilation. These studies refer to national‐level factors when accounting for the vast differences in home‐country groups in labor market outcomes. This study asks to what extent these source‐country characteristics affect immigrant children's educational outcomes. Using data from the 2006 Canadian Census and World Values Survey, this article examines the extent to which the gender gap in educational attainment among immigrant children is associated with source‐country factors. Female child immigrants who come from countries with high female labor force participation and high levels of GDP have an advantage over their male counterparts in university education. Source‐country gender role ideology played a role in university completion rates for immigrant parents, but not for child immigrants.
Interpersonal assertiveness: Inside the balancing act
Authors: Ames Daniel , Lee Alice , Wazlawek Abbie
Published: June 2017

Whether in everyday disagreements, bargaining episodes, or high‐stakes disputes, people typically see a spectrum of possible responses to dealing with differences with others, ranging from avoidance and accommodation to competition and aggression. We believe people judge their own and others' behaviors along this dimension, which we call interpersonal assertiveness, reflecting the degree to which someone stands up and speaks out for their own positions when they are faced with someone else who does not want the same outcomes. In this article, we review long‐standing and recent scholarship to characterize the curvilinear consequences of assertiveness (both “too little” and “too much” can be problematic). We consider the sources of accommodating and assertive behavior, such as motivations, expectancies, and failures of self‐regulation. We also examine ways in which people can assert themselves effectively, ranging from making precise offers in negotiations to employing rationales as part of their proposals. We conclude by noting promising directions for future research.
Reimagining gender in psychology: What can critical psychology offer?
Authors: Wigginton Britta
Published: June 2017

In this article, I argue that gender is a complex sociocultural construct, yet how gender is accounted for in psychological research is limited. Specifically, psychologists conflate sex with gender, rely on quantifying gender differences and, by implication, conceptualise gender as merely a participant characteristic. To illustrate, I apply this viewpoint to the topic of gender differences in tobacco use/cessation using on a feminist quality appraisal tool. I show how these three issues promote the narrow study of sex/gender differences, despite problems surrounding this inquiry, and reduce insights into the intersection of gender and behaviour. To offer a way forward for psychology, I describe how a critical psychology perspective attends to the complexities of gender and its influence on behaviour. I showcase diverse ways of attending to gender as a sociocultural construct, inviting psychologists to engage with, and reflect on, their gender analyses.
Impression mismanagement: People as inept self‐presenters
Authors: Steinmetz Janina , Sezer Ovul , Sedikides Constantine
Published: June 2017

People routinely manage the impressions they make on others, attempting to project a favorable self‐image. The bulk of the literature has portrayed people as savvy self‐presenters who typically succeed at conveying a desired impression. When people fail at making a favorable impression, such as when they come across as braggers, regulatory resource depletion is to blame. Recent research, however, has identified antecedents and strategies that foster systematic impression management failures (independently of regulatory resource depletion), suggesting that self‐presenters are far from savvy. In fact, they commonly mismanage their impressions without recognizing it. We review failed perspective taking and narcissism as two prominent antecedents of impression mismanagement. Further, we argue that failed perspective taking, exacerbated by narcissism, contributes to suboptimal impression management strategies, such as hubris, humblebragging, hypocrisy, and backhanded compliments. We conclude by discussing how self‐presenters might overcome some of the common traps of impression mismanagement.
Resistance, reactance, and misinterpretation: Highlighting the challenge of persuading people with depression to seek help
Authors: Siegel Jason T. , Lienemann Brianna A. , Rosenberg Benjamin D.
Published: June 2017

Interventions that increase help‐seeking among people with depression have the potential to save lives. Several efforts have been impressively successful; however, research has also chronicled inconsistent results, with some endeavors indicating boomerang effects. The goal of the current analysis is to synthesize select findings from cognitive theorizing on depression with persuasion scholarship to explain how and why the combination of unfavorable attitudes toward help‐seeking, attitudes that are increasingly resistant to influence, psychological reactance, and cognitive errors can result in challenging responses to messages encouraging help‐seeking among people with depression. In addition, we highlight the importance of utilizing theory‐based approaches to circumvent resistance to persuasion and provide an explanation as to why the provision of immediate help‐seeking mechanisms could be a key aspect of successful intervention efforts. We also stress the importance of formative research and pilot testing, and warn against the potentially harmful error of assessing messages targeting people with depression on those without heightened levels of depressive symptomatology. Ideally, this effort will draw attention to the challenge of persuading people with depression to seek help and also motivate social psychologists to consider the ways they can use their craft to positively influence the health and well‐being of people with depression.
Varieties of Social Investment Policies on Two Sides of the Baltic Sea: Explaining Routes to Endurance
Authors: Toots Anu , Lauri Triin
Published: June 2017

By 2016, European countries have more or less recovered from the 2008 recession. However, the strategies for coping with the crisis have varied, and one of the main concerns is to which extent the social investment paradigm has survived. In this article, we first map the dynamics of social investment expenditures in 2004–12 in six low‐ and high‐spending welfare states in the Baltic Sea region – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Denmark and Sweden – and define countries which have managed to sustain the social investment ratio after recession. Second, by employing fuzzy‐set Qualitative Comparative Analysis, we explore the configurational routes of ideational and structural factors within various macroeconomic contexts associated with the endurance of social investment. The analysis revealed that two out of the six countries – Denmark and Lithuania – managed to increase or preserve the share of investment expenditures in their total welfare budgets. Stable economic growth and low government debt turned out to be necessary conditions regardless of the generosity of the welfare state. However, while in Baltic countries a strong economy has to be in conjunction with ideational contributors (such as a government coalition of liberals and social democrats, and strict employment protection), the Nordic route includes a strong economy in conjunction with a high share of service economy.
Labour Market Integration and Equality for Disabled People: A Comparative Analysis of Nordic and Baltic Countries
Authors: Kuznetsova Yuliya , Yalcin Betul , Priestley Mark
Published: June 2017

This article considers the employment situation of disabled people, and disability policies, in three Nordic and three Baltic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). The analysis is framed by a changing paradigm for disability policy‐making, from compensation towards human rights and in a context of multi‐level governance involving the EU and UN as significant policy actors. The analysis draws on policy analysis and European social survey data to compare outcomes for disabled people in each country and in binary comparison between Nordic and Baltic countries. This enables interactions between individual and regional block factors to be modelled. We conclude that national policies make a difference, that non‐discrimination policies are not enough and that a focused mix of regulatory and redistributive measures is needed. The findings highlight better employment and social protection outcomes for disabled people in the Nordic countries, but point to policy challenges in both blocks. National processes of (de)commodification and stratification affect disabled people differently and this may disrupt our assumptions about welfare state comparisons.
Youth‐oriented Active Labour Market Policies: Explaining Policy Effort in the Nordic and the Baltic States
Authors: Tosun Jale , Unt Marge , Wadensjö Eskil
Published: June 2017

The starting point of this study is the seemingly striking similarity in the number of youth‐oriented labour market policies adopted by the Nordic and the Baltic EU member states in 2013–14 despite markedly different welfare regimes. The similarities remain when concentrating on active labour market policies (ALMPs) and extending the observation period to 2007–15, but the application of a more refined coding scheme suggests that there are also notable cross‐country differences. Estonia, Finland and Sweden are found to exhibit a relatively similar approach to youth‐oriented ALMPs, while Denmark, Latvia and Lithuania are more distinct cases. The similarities in the policy effort can be explained by similar problem pressure, EU‐guided policy learning and the provision of EU funding. Lastly, the policy approaches of the Nordic states indicate a path‐dependency. Thus, while the youth‐oriented policy effort may appear to be quite similar, important differences remain.
Work and Care Opportunities under Different Parental Leave Systems: Gender and Class Inequalities in Northern Europe
Authors: Javornik Jana , Kurowska Anna
Published: June 2017

This article analyses public parental leave in eight northern European countries, and assesses its opportunity potential to facilitate equal parental involvement and employment, focusing on gender and income opportunity gaps. It draws on Sen's capability and Weber's ideal‐types approach to analyze policies across countries. It offers the ideal parental leave architecture, one which minimizes the policy‐generated gender and class inequality in parents’ opportunities to share parenting and keep their jobs, thus providing real opportunities for different groups of individuals to achieve valued functionings as parents. Five policy indicators are created using benchmarking and graphical analysis. Two sources of opportunity inequality are considered: the leave system as the opportunity and constraint structure, and the socio‐economic contexts as the conversion factors. The article produces a comprehensive overview of national leave policies, visually presenting leave policy across countries. Considering policy capability ramifications beyond gender challenges a family policy‐cluster idea and the Nordic‐Baltic divide. It demonstrates that leave systems in northern Europe are far from homogenous; they diverge in the degree to which they create real opportunities for parents and children as well as in key policy dimensions through which these opportunities are created.