bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The adipokine NimrodB5 regulates peripheral hematopoiesis in Drosophila
Authors: Ramond Elodie , Petrignani Bianca , Dudzic Jan Paul , Boquete Jean‐Philippe , Poidevin Mickaël , Kondo Shu , Lemaitre Bruno
Published: February 2020

In animals, growth is regulated by the complex interplay between paracrine and endocrine signals. When food is scarce, tissues compete for nutrients, leading to critical resource allocation and prioritization. Little is known about how the immune system maturation is coordinated with the growth of other tissues. Here, we describe a signaling mechanism that regulates the number of hemocytes (blood cells) according to the nutritional state of the Drosophila larva. Specifically, we found that a secreted protein, NimB5, is produced in the fat body upon nutrient scarcity downstream of metabolic sensors and ecdysone signaling. NimB5 is then secreted and binds to hemocytes to down‐regulate their proliferation and adhesion. Blocking this signaling loop results in conditional lethality when larvae are raised on a poor diet, due to excessive hemocyte numbers and insufficient energy storage. Similar regulatory mechanisms shaping the immune system in response to nutrient availability are likely to be widespread in animals.
Nutrient availability controls the impact of mammalian herbivores on soil carbon and nitrogen pools in grasslands
Authors: Sitters Judith , Wubs E. R. Jasper , Bakker Elisabeth S. , Crowther Thomas W. , Adler Peter B. , Bagchi Sumanta , Bakker Jonathan D. , Biederman Lori , Borer Elizabeth T. , Cleland Elsa E. , Eisenhauer Nico , Firn Jennifer , Gherardi Laureano , Hagenah Nicole , Hautier Yann , Hobbie Sarah E. , Knops Johannes M. H. , MacDougall Andrew S. , McCulley Rebecca L. , Moore Joslin L. , Mortensen Brent , Peri Pablo L. , Prober Suzanne M. , Riggs Charlotte , Risch Anita C. , Schütz Martin , Seabloom Eric W. , Siebert Julia , Stevens Carly J. , Veen G. F. (Ciska)
Published: February 2020

Grasslands are subject to considerable alteration due to human activities globally, including widespread changes in populations and composition of large mammalian herbivores and elevated supply of nutrients. Grassland soils remain important reservoirs of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Herbivores may affect both C and N pools and these changes likely interact with increases in soil nutrient availability. Given the scale of grassland soil fluxes, such changes can have striking consequences for atmospheric C concentrations and the climate. Here, we use the Nutrient Network experiment to examine the responses of soil C and N pools to mammalian herbivore exclusion across 22 grasslands, under ambient and elevated nutrient availabilities (fertilized with NPK + micronutrients). We show that the impact of herbivore exclusion on soil C and N pools depends on fertilization. Under ambient nutrient conditions, we observed no effect of herbivore exclusion, but under elevated nutrient supply, pools are smaller upon herbivore exclusion. The highest mean soil C and N pools were found in grazed and fertilized plots. The decrease in soil C and N upon herbivore exclusion in combination with fertilization correlated with a decrease in aboveground plant biomass and microbial activity, indicating a reduced storage of organic matter and microbial residues as soil C and N. The response of soil C and N pools to herbivore exclusion was contingent on temperature – herbivores likely cause losses of C and N in colder sites and increases in warmer sites. Additionally, grasslands that contain mammalian herbivores have the potential to sequester more N under increased temperature variability and nutrient enrichment than ungrazed grasslands. Our study highlights the importance of conserving mammalian herbivore populations in grasslands worldwide. We need to incorporate local‐scale herbivory, and its interaction with nutrient enrichment and climate, within global‐scale models to better predict land–atmosphere interactions under future climate change.
Characterization of the MinD/ParA‐type ATPase FlhG in Vibrio alginolyticus and implications for function of its monomeric form
Authors: Kojima Seiji , Imura Yoshino , Hirata Hikaru , Homma Michio
Published: February 2020

FlhG is a MinD/ParA‐type ATPase that works as a negative regulator for flagellar biogenesis. In Vibrio alginolyticus, FlhG functions antagonistically with the positive regulator FlhF to generate a single polar flagellum. Here, we examined the effects of ADP and ATP on the aggregation and dimerization of Vibrio FlhG. Purified FlhG aggregated after exposure to low NaCl conditions, and its aggregation was suppressed in the presence of ADP or ATP. FlhG mutants at putative ATP‐binding (K31A) or catalytic (D60A) residues showed similar aggregation profiles to the wild type, but ATP caused strong aggregation of the ATPase‐stimulated D171A mutant although ADP significantly suppressed the aggregation. Results of size exclusion chromatography of purified FlhG or Vibrio cell lysates suggested that FlhG exists as a monomer in solution, and ATP does not induce FlhG dimerization. The K31A and D60A mutants eluted at monomer fractions regardless of nucleotides, but ATP shifted the elution peak of the D171A mutant to slightly earlier, presumably because of a subtle conformational change. Our results suggest that monomeric FlhG can function in vivo, whose active conformation aggregates easily.
Low literacy, policy and consumer vulnerability: Are we really doing enough?
Authors: Stewart Cordelia Rose , Yap Sheau‐Fen
Published: February 2020

A perennial issue in transformative consumer research and public policy is the plight of low‐literate vulnerable consumers. Low‐literate consumers have been observed misinterpreting labels, misusing products and purchasing the wrong item, which leads to devastating outcomes as they continue to make poor decisions out of ignorance. Based on a thorough review of past studies on consumer literacy and vulnerability, we explore how stigma and attribution operate as underlying mechanisms for influencing how low‐literate consumers behave in the marketplace. This paper problematises blanket statements that all low‐literate consumers are vulnerable and addresses the possibility that universal policy actions may inadvertently create further marginalization for those it is meant to protect. Our paper contributes by introducing a new typology of low‐literate consumer vulnerability to challenge conventional understandings of who the vulnerable consumers are in relation to their literacy level and actual marketplace behaviour. From a policy standpoint, the insights gained from our review speak to the need for differentiating low‐literate consumers in terms of their status of vulnerability, which inform public policy initiatives and effective consumer education for their empowerment and protection.
Localisation of C=C Bond and absolute quantification of unsaturated Fatty Acids in Vegetable Oils based on photochemical derivatisation reaction coupled with mass spectrometry
Authors: Xu Shuling , Wei Fang , Xie Ya , Wu Bangfu , Lv Xin , Qin Zuojian , Chen Hong
Published: February 2020

In this study, a strategy based on photochemical derivatisation and stable isotope labelling coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) for rapid and accurate identification and quantification of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) in vegetable oils was developed. Acetone was employed to label double bond(s) of UFAs via Paternò–Büchi (PB) reaction. The acetone‐labelled UFAs could produce diagnostic ions specific to the locations of carbon–carbon double bond (C=C) in collision‐induced dissociation (CID), which enabled confident assignment of C=C locations in UFAs. Furthermore, absolute quantification was achieved by using d6‐acetone‐labelled UFAs as internal standard to minimise the quantitation deviation due to nonuniformity response and ion suppression effects. By exploiting this method, precise identification and quantification of UFAs in nine kinds of vegetable oils including three kinds of Chinese special vegetable oils were achieved. This method exhibits a powerful potential use for the localisation of C=C bond(s) and quantitative analysis of UFAs, which is valuable for discovery of unusual UFAs in special oils and crops, and quality control of edible oils.
Tentative zinc biofortification of banana fruit via bunch spray and bunch stalk feeding
Authors: de Assis Mateus Wagner Dantas , Leite Gustavo Walace Pacheco , Cunha Júnior Luis Carlos , Prado Renato de Mello , Amorim Edson Perito , dos Santos Neto João Paixão , de Carvalho Lívia Cirino , Teixeira Gustavo Henrique de Almeida
Published: February 2020

Due to the importance of banana consumption in developing countries and producing zinc‐rich foods, the objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of banana bunch sprays and bunch stalk feeding with Zn aiming to biofortify this fruit. Zn sprays were carried out with a dose of 80 g ha−1 using ZnCl2 and ZnCl2 combined with a chelating agent in two banana cultivars (‘Maravilha’ and ‘FHIA 18’). Bunch stalk feeding with Zn was carried out by fixing plastic bags on the stem end containing solutions of ZnSO4 (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g L−1) in two banana cultivars (‘Williams’ and ‘Prata Anã’). Both strategies resulted in a maximum fruit Zn content of 0.14 mg 100 g−1. Although it was possible to increase the Zn content in banana fruit from ‘FHIA 18’ and ‘Prata Anã’ cultivars, both strategies did not result in biofortified banana fruit with a Zn level which would fulfil the Zn dietary reference intake (DRI) of 2 mg dia−1 for children. Banana bunch sprays with Zn did not affect the fruit quality, but bunch stalk feeding with Zn resulted in fruits with lower ratio, pH and ascorbic acid content.
Fabrication and evaluation of physicochemical properties of probiotic edible film based on pectin–alginate–casein composite
Authors: Namratha Shaji , Sreejit Valiathan , Preetha Radhakrishnan
Published: February 2020

The objective of this study was to develop a casein‐based edible film for the entrapment of probiotic Enterococcus faecium Rp1. Casein, pectin, sodium alginate and glycerol were used to prepare the film. In this study, the physicochemical and morphological properties of casein‐based edible film and its impact on the stability of probiotic were evaluated. Surface morphology and properties of the film were tested using a scanning electron microscope, fluorescence microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Probiotic‐incorporated casein‐based edible film showed significant improvement in the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and enhanced the structural, optical and thermal properties. Furthermore, the film was found to be desirable to carry probiotics, with the viability of 107 CFU mL−1 rate up to 30 days of storage at 4 °C. Hence, the current study suggests a probiotic‐incorporated casein‐based edible film for active packaging of food products.
Cellulose nanoparticles synthesised from potato peel for the development of active packaging film for enhancement of shelf life of raw prawns (Penaeus monodon) during frozen storage
Authors: Shruthy Ramesh , Jancy Stephen , Preetha Radhakrishnan
Published: February 2020

In this study, the cellulose nanoparticles (CNP) isolated from potato peel were used for reinforcement of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐based active packaging film. The above film was used to pack the raw prawns (Penaeus monodon) at −20 °C, and the colour change, protein content, TVB‐N, TMA and microbial analysis were done at regular interval for prawns stored in CNP‐PVA active packaging film. A significant difference was observed in the quality of prawns stored in potato CNP‐PVA film compared with prawns packed and stored in polyethylene film. The newly designed active packaging with CNP and fennel seed oil enhanced the shelf life of prawns up to two months for both HOSO (head on shell on) prawn and PD (peeled and deveined) prawn. Hence, the study recommends the potato peel CNP‐PVA film with fennel seed oil as better choice to extend the shelf life of the prawns during storage compared with polyethylene packaging.
Maxwell relaxation time for nonexponential α‐relaxation phenomena in glassy systems
Authors: Doss Karan , Wilkinson Collin J. , Yang Yongjian , Lee Kuo‐Hao , Huang Liping , Mauro John C.
Published: February 2020

We examine the mean relaxation time predicted by the Maxwell relation for stress and structural α‐relaxation phenomena. We express this relation using the Markov network framework and present an expression for the average relaxation time under equilibrium and nonequilibrium conditions that is rooted in the energy landscape of a material. We show thatstructuralrelaxation times calculated using the Maxwell relation must systematically underpredict the relaxation time. Finally, we report experimental evidence suggesting that the relaxation time obtained from shear viscosity measurements must correspond to astressrelaxation time.
Molecular phylogenetics and phenotypic reassessment of the Ramphotrigon flycatchers: deep paraphyly in the context of an intriguing biogeographic scenario
Authors: Lavinia Pablo D. , Escalante Patricia , Tubaro Pablo L. , Lijtmaer Darío A.
Published: February 2020

The tyrant‐flycatchers (Tyrannidae) are the largest family of birds in the New World. Although their phylogenetic relationships have been deeply studied based on phenotypic and genetic characters, several systematic uncertainties still exist. In particular, the affinities within the South American genus Ramphotrigon and its close relationship with the Mexican‐endemic Deltarhynchus flammulatus remain unresolved. Here we performed a taxonomic assessment of this intriguing relationship including, for the first time, representatives of all three Ramphotrigon species and the monotypic Deltarhynchus. We carried out phylogenetic analyses based on three mitochondrial markers and one autosomal nuclear intron, and complemented the genetic evidence with the study of morphological and plumage coloration differentiation, in order to provide a more in‐depth reassessment of the Ramphotrigon–Deltarhynchus relationship in general and the genus Ramphotrigon in particular. Genetic data showed that Ramphotrigon is paraphyletic as currently defined, with R. fuscicauda and R. ruficauda being more closely related to D. flammulatus than to R. megacephalum. This paraphyletic relationship was recovered with maximum support based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Ramphotrigon megacephalum evidenced a deep genetic divergence from its two congeners and D. flammulatus, comparable to that between the first one and other tyrannids. Ramphotrigon megacephalum was also significantly different from D. flammulatus, R. fuscicauda and R. ruficauda in external morphology and plumage coloration. On the other hand, D. flammulatus, R. fuscicauda and R. ruficauda showed almost no differences in the morphological variables analyzed. In this context, we believe that a taxonomic reorganization of this group is necessary. One possibility would be to transfer D. flammulatus to the genus Ramphotrigon and to assign R. megacephalum to a new genus with at least two species. Lastly, we propose a biogeographic model for the evolutionary history of Ramphotrigon and Deltarhynchus in South and Middle America over the past 12 million years.
Real‐world behavior of CRT pacing using the AdaptivCRT algorithm on patient outcomes: Effect on mortality and atrial fibrillation incidence
Authors: Singh Jagmeet P. , Cha Yong‐Mei , Lunati Maurizio , Chung Eugene S. , Li Shelby , Smeets Pascal , O'Donnell David
Published: February 2020

Background

The AdaptivCRT (aCRT) algorithm continuously adjusts cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) according to intrinsic atrioventricular conduction, providing synchronized left ventricular pacing in patients with normal PR interval and adaptive BiV pacing in patients with prolonged PR interval. Previous analyses demonstrated an association between aCRT and clinical benefit. We evaluated the incidence of patient mortality and atrial fibrillation (AF) with aCRT compared with standard CRT in a real‐world population.

Methods and Results

Patients enrolled in the Medtronic Personalized CRT Registry and implanted with a CRT from 2013‐2018 were divided into aCRT ON or standard CRT groups based upon device‐stored data. A Frailty survival model was used to evaluate the potential survival benefit of aCRT, accounting for patient heterogeneity and center variability. Daily AF burden and first device‐detected AF episodes of various durations were recorded by the device during follow‐up.

A total of 1814 CRT patients with no reported long‐standing AF history at implant were included. Mean follow‐up time was 26.1 ± 16.5 months and 1162 patients (64.1%) had aCRT ON. Patient survival probability at 36 months was 88.3% for aCRT ON and 83.7% for standard CRT (covariate‐adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53‐0.96, P = .028). Mean AF burden during follow‐up was consistently lower in aCRT ON patients compared with standard CRT. At 36 months, the probability of AF was lower in patients with aCRT ON, regardless of which AF definition threshold was applied (6 minutes‐30 days, all P < .001).

Conclusion

Use of the AdaptivCRT algorithm was associated with improved patient survival and lower incidence of AF in a real‐world, prospective, nonrandomized registry.
Risk of tuberculosis reactivation during interleukin‐17 inhibitor therapy for psoriasis: a systematic review
Authors: Fowler E. , Ghamrawi R.I. , Ghiam N. , Liao W. , Wu J.J.
Published: February 2020

Immunosuppressive therapies, effective in treating inflammatory disorders such as psoriasis, increase the risk of serious infections, such as tuberculosis (TB). For example, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐alpha inhibitors significantly increase the risk of TB reactivation in patients with latent TB infection (LTBI), which has led clinicians to routinely test for TB prior to initiation of these medications. This protocol has since extended to other, newer immunomodulatory therapies for psoriasis, such as interleukin (IL)‐17 inhibitors, including secukinumab, ixekizumab and brodalumab. We conducted a systematic review to examine whether there is any evidence that IL‐17 inhibitor therapy for psoriasis increases the risk of TB reactivation. Using PubMed and EMBASE, our literature search resulted in 139 total articles. After manually reviewing each article for the discussion of IL‐17 inhibitors for psoriasis, with data originating from clinical trials, and assessment for incidence of TB reactivation, 23 articles met the full inclusion criteria for our review. Overall, we found no cases of TB reactivation in patients treated with IL‐17 inhibitors for psoriasis. This suggests that IL‐17 inhibitors may be safely used in psoriasis patients with LTBI who receive appropriate LTBI treatment. However, long‐term real‐world studies are warranted to further evaluate this risk.
Plasticity of the skeleton and skeletal deformities in zebrafish (Danio rerio) linked to rearing density
Authors: Martini Arianna , Huysseune Ann , Witten P. Eckhard , Boglione Clara
Published: February 2020

The teleost zebrafish (Danio rerio), an established model for human skeletal diseases, is reared under controlled conditions with defined parameters for temperature and photoperiod. Studies aimed at defining the proper rearing density have been performed with regard to behavioural and physiological stress response, sex ratio and reproduction. Studies concerning the effect of rearing density on the skeletal phenotype are lacking. This study analyses the response of the skeleton to different rearing densities and describes the skeletal deformities. Wild‐type zebrafish were reared up to 30 dpf (days post‐fertilization) in a common environment. From 30 to 90 dpf, animals were reared at three different densities: high density (HD), 32 fish l–1; medium density (MD), 8 fish l–1 and low density (LD), 2 fish l–1. Animals at 30 and 90 dpf were collected and whole‐mount stained with Alizarin red S to visualize mineralized tissues. The entire skeleton was analysed for meristic counts and 172 types of deformities. The results showed that the rearing density significantly influenced the specimens’ average standard length, which decreased with the increase in the rearing density. Differences in meristic counts among the three groups were not observed. Rearing density–independent malformations affected the ribs, neural arches and the spines of the abdominal region, as well as vertebrae of the caudal complex. The HD group showed the highest number of deformities per specimen, the highest number of observed types of deformities and, together with the MD group, the highest frequency of specimens affected by severe deformities. In particular, the HD group showed deformities affecting arches, spines and vertebral centra in the caudal region of the vertebral column. This study provides evidence of an effect of the rearing density on the development of different skeletal phenotypes.
Comment On: Practicing Geriatrics: Mission Impossible?
Authors: Wasserman Michael R.
Published: February 2020

This letter comments on the article by David Reuben.
Is there still a place for deep chemical peels in the treatment of perioral wrinkles?
Authors: Costa Izelda Maria Carvalho , Peres Amanda Silva , Costa Mariana Carvalho , Figueira Renata Borges Fortes da Costa
Published: February 2020

Baker‐Gordon formula phenol chemical peel remains the most effective and long‐lasting treatment for deep facial lines. However, this treatment is associated with risk of serious complications, such as arrhythmias and dystrophic scars. With the emergence of new and safer technologies for facial rejuvenation, such as fractionated carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers and microneedling, there has been a decrease in the use of deep chemical peels. This raises the question of whether there is still a place for deep phenol chemical peels. In this sense, we present a successful case of using Baker‐Gordon formula phenol chemical peel at the perioral region for treating advanced wrinkles. This technique is called "Regional Phenol Peeling" and is safer than the use of the formula applied to the entire face, since it does not need systemic monitoring.
How Skilled Are Security Analysts?
Authors: CRANE ALAN , CROTTY KEVIN
Published: February 2020

The majority of security analysts are identified as skilled when the cross‐section of analyst performance is modeled as a mixture of multiple skill distributions. Analysts exhibit heterogeneous skill—some are high‐type, and some are low‐type. On average, the recommendation revisions of both types exhibit positive abnormal returns. The heterogeneity stems from differential ability to produce new information; all analysts can profitably process news. Top analysts outperform because more of their recommendations are influential (i.e., associated with statistically significant returns) and both their influential and noninfluential recommendations are more informative. A majority of research firms are also identified as skilled.
How Exhausting!? Emotion Crossover in Organizational Social Networks
Authors: Zagenczyk Thomas J. , Powell E. Erin , Scott Kristin L.
Published: February 2020

Does emotional exhaustion cross over between employees? Departing from the traditional within‐person view, we draw on the crossover model to argue and test an interpersonal model of emotional exhaustion. We conducted a sociocentric social network study in a U.S. construction company and found that employees had similar levels of emotional exhaustion to co‐workers with whom they had interaction and advice ties and structurally equivalent network positions, but that they did not have similar emotional exhaustion to friends or supervisors. We advance scholarly understanding of emotion crossover by theorizing and simultaneously testing important organizationally structured patterns of interaction and transfer previously unexamined, examined only in isolation or examined in a piecemeal manner. Our results highlight the importance of exploring the influence of structural and relational patterns embedded in the organization’s formal and informal structures and provide a theoretical and methodological platform to advance our understanding of crossover, emotional contagion and important outcomes at work.
Leader Emergence in Nascent Venture Teams: The Critical Roles of Individual Emotion Regulation and Team Emotions
Authors: Sirén Charlotta , He Vivianna Fang , Wesemann Henrik , Jonassen Zoe , Grichnik Dietmar , von Krogh Georg
Published: February 2020

This study advances a theory of how different aspects of emotion regulation influence individual leader emergence in the intensely emotional context of nascent venture teams. Despite the growing amount of research on the role of leadership in the entrepreneurial process, the emergence of leaders in nascent venture teams has rarely been explored. Drawing on theories and research on leadership emergence and emotion regulation, we argue that the two aspects of emotion regulation (i.e., reappraisal and suppression) exert opposite effects on the degree to which nascent venture team members come to perceive an individual as a leader. We also theorize that team emotions arising from affective events moderate the relationship between reappraisal and leader emergence in such teams. Data from 103 nascent venture teams without prior leaders show a negative relationship between individuals’ trait disposition to suppress emotions and their emergence as leaders, and a positive relationship between their trait disposition to reappraise emotions and their emergence as leaders. Moreover, we find that negative team emotions magnify the positive association between reappraisal and leader emergence, while positive team emotions mitigate it. We discuss the implications of our findings for the literature on entrepreneurial leadership, entrepreneurial emotions, and leadership in general.
Melatonin rhythm and other outputs of the master circadian clock in the desert goat (Capra hircus) are entrained by daily cycles of ambient temperature
Authors: Farsi Hicham , Harti Driss , Achaâban Mohamed R. , Piro Mohammed , Raverot Véronique , Bothorel Béatrice , Ouassat Mohammed , Challet Etienne , Pévet Paul , El Allali Khalid
Published: February 2020

In desert areas, mammals such as camel and goat are exposed to harsh environmental conditions. The ambient temperature (Ta) cycles have been shown to entrain the circadian clock in the camel. In the present work, we assumed that, in the goat living in a desert biotope, Ta cycles would have the same synchronizing effect on the central clock. Therefore, the effects of Ta cycles on body temperature (Tb), locomotor activity (LA) and melatonin (Mel) rhythms as outputs of the master circadian clock have been studied. The study was performed on bucks kept first under constant conditions of total darkness (DD) and constant Ta, then maintained under DD conditions but exposed to Ta cycles with heat period during subjective day and cold period during subjective night. Finally, the Ta cycles were reversed with highest temperatures during the subjective night and the lowest temperatures during the subjective day. Under constant conditions, the circadian rhythms of Tb and LA were free running with an endogenous period of 25.3 and 25.0 hours, respectively. Ta cycles entrained the rhythms of Tb and LA to a period of exactly 24.0 hours; while when reversed, the Ta cycles led to an inversion of Tb and LA rhythms. Similarly, Ta cycles were also able to entrain Mel rhythm, by adjusting its secretion to the cooling phase before and after Ta cycles inversion. All together, these results show that the Ta cycles entrain the master circadian clock in the goat.
Risk‐Taking by Young People in Late Adolescence Increases When They Perceive the Possibility of Their Peer “Observing Someday”
Authors: Moriizumi Shingo , Usui Shinnosuke
Published: February 2020

This experimental study on risk‐taking by young people in their late adolescence was carried out from the perspective of peer effect. A gambling task was administered to 42 young people under the following experiment conditions: with or without the possibility that the experiment results would be disclosed at some time to their peers and information about their peers being more or less risk‐oriented. The results showed that when it was suggested that the experiment results would be disclosed in some time and when the peer was perceived as more risk‐oriented, there was a peer effect. However, when the peer was perceived as less risk‐oriented, no peer effect occurred. The findings of this study confirmed that, while there is some room for further testing, when it was suggested that the experiment result might be disclosed to the peer, even under a condition in which only a single participant was involved, there was a peer effect, unlike in previous studies.
Effects of transportation on gastric pH and gastric ulceration in mares
Authors: Padalino Barbara , Davis Georgina L. , Raidal Sharanne L.
Published: February 2020

Background

Transportation has been suggested as a risk factor for gastric ulceration in horses, but limited evidence supports this assumption.

Animals

Twenty‐six Standardbred, Thoroughbred, and Warmblood mares from a university teaching herd.

Methods

Twelve mares were confined for 12 hours, overnight, in reproductive stocks with indwelling nasogastric tubes (NGTs) to assess pH of gastric fluid (GF). Gastric ulceration was assessed endoscopically before and after confinement. Subsequently, 26 horses were transported for 12 hours, overnight, in 2 consignments. During transportation, GF was aspirated from indwelling NGT placed in the same 12 mares used in the confinement study, and gastric ulceration was assessed endoscopically before and after transportation in all horses.

Results

The median pH of GF in confined horses was 1.70‐2.49 at each sampling point, and there was no apparent effect on gastric squamous ulcer scores. The median pH of GF from the same 12 horses at corresponding sampling times during transportation was 6.82‐7.22. Transportation was associated with increased gastric squamous ulcer scores, particularly in horses fasted for gastroscopy and NGT placement immediately before departure. Gastric emptying appeared delayed after transportation in horses fed before departure.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Transportation is associated with increased gastric squamous ulceration and with increased pH of GF. These findings may be a consequence of impaired gastric emptying and reflux of alkaline small intestinal content, with factors such as duodenal bile salts and short‐chain fatty acids mediating mucosal injury.
On Aporetics and Apophatics: The Descriptive Metaphysics of Donald MacKinnon
Authors: Delport Khegan
Published: February 2020

This article analyzes the dependencies of Donald MacKinnon on Aristotle and Immanuel Kant, particularly as regards to his ‘descriptive metaphysics’. MacKinnon remains indebted to an Aristotelian aporetics of ‘substance’ that at once emphasizes the irrepressible particularity of entities, while simultaneously not resolving the tension between specific description and universal categories of meaning. This insight was contemporaneously mediated for MacKinnon through his reception of G.E. Moore, and especially in the way that his critique of Bradleyian ‘internal relations’ attempted to retain ‘individuality’ over against the collapse of objects into relational determinations. Kant’s transcendental apriorism had a similar function for MacKinnon, although now with the added novelty of synthetic judgments which are adduced by Kant to grasp those imaginative totalities that were needed to garner ‘experience’ within the limits of reason alone. The article traces Kant’s deepening impression on MacKinnon with respect to ontological analogy, showing through a theological genealogy how MacKinnon gradually becomes disenchanted with the analogia entis – a move which is dependent on a critique of Platonic methexis. In MacKinnon’s mind, analogical metaphysics remains predicated on an intuitional account of being that transcends the critical strictures asserted by Kant, and moreover relies upon a questionable reading of ‘being‐as‐predicate’. This constitutes MacKinnon’s reception of a Kantian apophatics. The article concludes by suggesting that MacKinnon could have been better served in his attempt to collate historicity and metaphysics by retaining the analogical participation, and by supplementing his realism with a broadly Hegelian approach to the development of knowledge. Moreover, his Kantianism probably does not assist him as regards a re‐articulation of the via negativa insofar as it remains in a diastasis between anthropocentricism and a transcendentally‐formal sublime.
Application of computational fluid dynamics models for the evaluation of salivary flow patterns and related bacterial accumulation around orthodontic brackets
Authors: Xue Jingyi , Zhu Ping , He Yifan , Li Qianli , Xu Yue
Published: February 2020

Objects

To simulate and compare salivary flow patterns over a tooth surface bonded with different orthodontic appliances using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and investigate the impact of bracket design on salivary flow in relation to peri‐bracket bacterial accumulation.

Setting and Sample Population

The models were constructed using computed tomography (CT) data of 81 patients scheduled for fixed orthodontic treatment: 27 patients (10 males, 17 females) for the metal Victory MBT™ bracket; 27 patients (seven males, 20 females) for the ceramic Clarity MBT™ bracket; 27 patients (15 males, 12 females) for the Mini Uni‐Twin (MUT) bracket.

Methods

The salivary flow patterns were simulated by CFD and compared between the groups and the model predictions were validated using a bacteriological experiment.

Results

The MUT bracket was associated with the greatest number of low salivary velocity areas, as it is designed with a connector between double tie wings and a right contact angle between tooth surface and bracket base. After archwire placement, the centred slot in the bracket and the bilateral sites around the bracket had higher bacterial retention and needed special oral hygiene measures. The obtuse contact angle of the ceramic bracket formed a pocket structure in the tie‐wing area, retarding salivary flow and contributing to bacteria retention.

Conclusion

With the evaluation of CFD models, we demonstrate that salivary flow patterns over a tooth surface with a bracket vary with bracket designs and further promote bacterial retention in specific locations, suggesting the need for additional oral hygiene measures for specific bracket types.
Fluorescence staining vs. routine KOH smear for rapid diagnosis of oral candidiasis—A diagnostic test
Authors: Hu Lijun , Zhou Peiru , Zhao Weiwei , Hua Hong , Yan Zhimin
Published: February 2020

Objective

A diagnostic test was designed to evaluate the accuracy and applicability of fluorescence staining with fluorescein‐labelled chitinase versus routine 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) smear for rapid diagnosis of oral candidiasis.

Methods

In total, 124 subjects with suspected oral candidiasis symptoms/signs were sequentially enrolled in this study. The diagnostic efficacy indexes (sensitivity, specificity, Youden index, predictive value, likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, diagnostic accuracy and area under the curve [AUC]) were compared between 10% KOH smear and fluorescence staining.

Results

The sensitivity (85.48% vs. 64.52%) and specificity (91.94% vs. 72.58%) of fluorescence staining were higher than those of KOH smear. The AUC of fluorescence staining (0.887) was remarkably higher than that of 10% KOH smear (0.685), demonstrating that the diagnostic efficacy of fluorescence staining is significantly higher than that of KOH smear (p = .0005). Furthermore, fluorescence staining showed higher sensitivity than that of KOH smear (84.75% vs. 62.71%) in diagnosis of erythematous type oral candidiasis, which is the most common type and the type most challenging to differentially diagnose.

Conclusion

The advantages of fluorescence staining with fluorescein‐labelled chitinase in rapid diagnosis of oral candidiasis and its ease of operation suggest its potential use in clinical practice.
Predator–prey interactions and metabolic rates are altered in stable and unstable groups in a social fish
Authors: Liss Katharina C. M. , Lopez Laura K. , Donelson Jennifer M. , Wong Marian Y. L.
Published: February 2020

Understanding the determinants and consequences of predation effort, success and prey responses is important since these factors affect the fitness of predators and prey. When predators are also invasive species, the impacts on prey can be particularly far‐reaching with ultimate ecosystem‐level consequences. However, predators are typically viewed as behaviourally fixed within this interaction and it is unclear how variation in predator social dynamics affects predator–prey interactions. Using the invasive eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki and a native glass shrimp Paratya australiensis in Australia, we investigated how varying levels of social conflict within predator groups influences predator–prey interactions. By experimentally manipulating group stability of G. holbrooki, we show that rates of social conflict were lower in groups with large size differences, but that routine metabolic rates were higher in groups with large size differences. Predation effort and success did not vary depending on group stability, but in stable groups predation effort by aggressive dominants was greater than subordinates. The anti‐predator responses of prey to the stability of predator groups were mixed. While more prey utilized shelters when exposed to stable compared to unstable groups of predators, a greater proportion were sedentary when predator groups were unstable. Overall, this study demonstrates predator group stability is modulated by differences in body size and can influence prey responses. Further, it reveals a hidden metabolic cost of living in stable groups despite reduced overt social conflict. For invasive species management, it is therefore important to consider the behavioural and physiological plasticity of the invasive predators, whose complex social interactions and metabolic demands can modulate patterns of predator–prey interactions.
Plin‐amiR, a pre‐microRNA‐based technology for controlling herbivorous insect pests
Authors: Bally Julia , Fishilevich Elane , Doran Rachel L. , Lee Karen , de Campos Samanta Bolzan , German Marcelo A. , Narva Kenneth E. , Waterhouse Peter M.
Published: February 2020

The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, is a major insect pest for a wide range of agricultural crops. It causes significant yield loss through feeding damage and by increasing the crop’s vulnerability to bacterial and fungal infections. Although expression of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins in transgenic crops has been very successful in protecting against insect pests, including H. armigera, field‐evolved resistance has occurred in multiple species. To manage resistant populations, new protection strategies must be continuously developed. Trans‐kingdom RNA interference (TK‐RNAi) is a promising method for controlling herbivorous pests. TK‐RNAi is based on delivering dsRNA or hairpin RNA containing essential insect gene sequences to the feeding insect. The ingested molecules are processed by the insect’s RNAi machinery and guide it to silence the target genes. Recently, TK‐RNAi delivery has been enhanced by expressing the ds‐ or hpRNAs in the chloroplast. This compartmentalizes the duplexed RNA away from the plant’s RNAi machinery, ensuring that it is delivered in an unprocessed form to the insect. Here, we report another alternative approach for delivering precursor anti‐insect RNA in plants. Insect pre‐microRNA (pre‐miR) transcripts were modified to contain artificial microRNAs (amiRs), targeting insect genes, and expressed in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants. These modified pre‐miRs remained largely unprocessed in the plants, and H. armigera feeding on leaves from these plants had increased mortality, developmental abnormalities and delayed growth rates. This shows that plant‐expressed insect pre‐amiRs (plin‐amiRs) are a new strategy of protecting plants against herbivorous insects.
Diurnal patterns of growth and transient reserves of sink and source tissues are affected by cold nights in barley
Authors: Barros Kallyne A. , Esteves‐Ferreira Alberto A. , Inaba Masami , Meally Helena , Finnan John , Barth Susanne , Davis Seth J. , Sulpice Ronan
Published: February 2020

Barley is described to mostly use sucrose for night carbon requirements. To understand how the transient carbon is accumulated and utilized in response to cold, barley plants were grown in a combination of cold days and/or nights. Both daytime and night cold reduced growth. Sucrose was the main carbohydrate supplying growth at night, representing 50–60% of the carbon consumed. Under warm days and nights, starch was the second contributor with 26% and malate the third with 15%. Under cold nights, the contribution of starch was severely reduced, due to an inhibition of its synthesis, including under warm days, and malate was the second contributor to C requirements with 24–28% of the total amount of carbon consumed. We propose that malate plays a critical role as an alternative carbon source to sucrose and starch in barley. Hexoses, malate, and sucrose mobilization and starch accumulation were affected in barley elf3 clock mutants, suggesting a clock regulation of their metabolism, without affecting growth and photosynthesis however. Altogether, our data suggest that the mobilization of sucrose and malate and/or barley growth machinery are sensitive to cold.
Toceranib phosphate in the treatment of canine thyroid carcinoma: 42 cases (2009‐2018)
Authors: Sheppard‐Olivares Sabina , Bello Nora M. , Wood Elizabeth , Szivek Anna , Biller Barbara , Hocker Samuel , Wouda Raelene M.
Published: February 2020

Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy in dogs. Thyroidectomy and radiation therapy control local disease, yet are not always feasible, and efficacious medical therapies need to be identified. Toceranib phosphate has been reported to provide clinical benefit (CB) in dogs with thyroid carcinoma, while its role in treatment‐naïve thyroid tumours has not been well‐described. The objective of this study was to describe the use of toceranib in the management of thyroid carcinomas in dogs in both the naïve‐disease and prior therapy‐ settings. A medical record search identified 42 dogs diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma and treated with toceranib, of which 26 and 16 dogs were in settings of naïve‐disease and after prior therapy, respectively. Twenty‐three (88.4%) and twelve (75%) dogs experienced CB in the naïve and prior therapy settings, respectively. The median [95% confidence interval] progression free interval (PFI) for dogs in the naïve and prior therapy settings were 206 [106,740] and 1015 [92,1015] days, respectively. The median overall survival time (OST) for dogs in the naïve and prior therapy settings were 563 [246,916] and 1082 [289,1894] days, respectively. Overall, the data provided no evidence for differences in overall PFI (P > .20) or OST (P= .15) between settings. However, when asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis, dogs in the naïve setting showed poorer survival prognosis (estimated hazard ratio 17.2 [1.8, 163]) relative to dogs in the prior therapy setting. This study characterizes PFI, OST and CB with minimal AE in dogs with thyroid carcinoma treated with toceranib in both the naïve and prior therapy settings.
Ocular findings in a group of healthy captive leopard geckos
Authors: Camacho‐Luna Pilar , Alling Christopher , Boykin Kimberly , Liu Chin‐Chi , Carter Renee T. , Lewin Andrew C.
Published: February 2020

Objective

Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are popular pets and can be affected by a range of ocular disorders. Our objective was to report ocular findings in a group of healthy captive leopard geckos and to establish reference ranges for commonly performed ocular diagnostic tests.

Animals studied

Twenty‐six healthy male geckos aged 1 year old (n = 4) and >2 years old (n = 22).

Procedures

All animals underwent ophthalmic examination, corneal esthesiometry, modified Schirmer tear test (mSTT), rebound tonometry, conjunctival bacterial aerobic and fungal culture, and measurement of ocular dimensions. Student's t test was used to compare values of corneal esthesiometry, tonometry and mSTT between groups. Multiple correlations were assessed by Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

All animals had a normal ocular examination. Tear production as measured with a mSTT (mean ± SD) technique was 3.1 ± 1.3 mm/min and tonometry values (mean ± SD) were 8.2 ± 1.7 mm Hg. Corneal touch threshold (median, range) was 4.4 cm, 2.5‐5.0. Younger animals had a significantly increased corneal sensitivity compared to older animals (P = .0383). Results of culture showed no growth for fungal organism in any animals. Conjunctival bacterial isolation rates were low, with only 7/26 samples positive for nine bacterial species.

Conclusions

Leopard geckos are amenable to ophthalmic examination and ocular diagnostic database testing with minimal manual restraint.
Ex vivo study of minimally invasive procedures for cartilage removal from the metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joint and for fetlock tension band application
Authors: Farfan Maëlle , Genton Martin , Rossignol Fabrice
Published: February 2020

Objective

To describe reliable minimally invasive procedures for (1) removing cartilage by joint distraction and articular drilling for equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP)/metatarsophalangeal (MTP) arthrodesis; (2) applying a palmar/plantar tension band without MCP/MTP joint luxation.

Study design

Experimental study.

Sample population

Cadaveric equine limbs (n = 12).

Methods

All limbs were used to evaluate the drilling technique. First the MCP/MTP joint was distracted with a 5.5‐mm cortical screw. Then, through four stab incisions, articular cartilage was removed with a 4.5‐mm drill. Six randomly chosen limbs were then tested for minimally invasive tension band application with a specially designed cannula. Accurate positioning of the tension band was assessed radiographically. All MCP/MTP joints were disarticulated, and the areas of removed cartilage were visually assessed and measured by using planimetry.

Results

The mean percentage of removed cartilage was 66.8% ± 7.6% for the metacarpus/metatarsus surface, 67.9% ± 8.6% for the proximal phalanx surface, and 59.5% ± 1% for the two sesamoid bones. The tension band could be accurately placed through four stab incisions with the cannula.

Conclusion

This minimally invasive technique for cartilage removal was efficient and should be favorable for joint fusion in some clinical situations. The minimally invasive tension band application through stab incisions was feasible and repeatable.

Clinical significance

These procedures should allow total minimally invasive MCP/MTP arthrodesis and be used in selected clinical cases.