bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased reproductive success through parasitoid release at a range margin: Implications for range shifts induced by climate change
Authors: Mackay K. David , Gross Caroline L. , Ryder Darren S. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAimWe tested four hypotheses (a) that pioneer trees at distribution margins would receive fewer visits from pollinators and pollinator parasitoids than would trees in larger, established populations; (b) that predator release (lower rates of pollinator parasitism) would result in higher pollinator reproductive success; (c) that less competition among fewer pollinator foundresses would correlate with higher plant reproductive success and (d) that these effects would be greater at the plant species’ expanding range margin.LocationThe dry, western side of the Great Dividing Range in northern New South Wales, eastern Australia.TaxonThe rusty fig (Ficus rubiginosa, Moraceae), its pollinator and the pollinator's parasitoids.MethodsWe measured fruit (syconia) set per tree, seed set per syconium and fig‐wasp numbers (pollinators and non‐pollinators) per syconium in a total of 62 trees in 24 populations covering three distributional zones – the dry, western margin of the species’ range, a more mesic, eastern margin at the species’ altitudinal limit, and the zone between these two margins. These results were modelled against F. rubiginosa population size, the position of plant populations in relation to range margins, and climatic gradients of temperature and rainfall.ResultsLower rates of pollinator parasitism and less pollinator competition correlated with increased reproductive success in the pollinator and increased male fitness (in terms of pollen dispersal) and female fitness (in terms of seed per syconium) in isolated trees of F. rubiginosa, compared with trees in larger populations, particularly at F. rubiginosa's mesic, expanding range margin.Main ConclusionsPollinator–predator release and pollinator–competition release can lead to increased pollinator and plant reproductive success in pioneer trees at range margins. This reinforces the need to understand biotic interactions underlying reproduction and dispersal at expanding range fronts if we are to understand and better predict the drivers and effects of climate‐change‐induced range shifts in plants and their pollinators.
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation reduces heart failure rehospitalization in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Fukui Akira , Tanino Tomomi , Yamaguchi Takanori , Hirota Kei , Saito Shotaro , Okada Norihiro , Akioka Hidefumi , Shinohara Tetsuji , Yufu Kunio , Takahashi Naohiko 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with heart failure (HF) rehospitalization in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).ObjectiveWe tested the hypothesis that catheter ablation of AF could reduce HF rehospitalization compared with conventional pharmacotherapy in patients with HFpEF.MethodsEighty‐five consecutive HFpEF (EF ≥ 50% and a history of HF hospitalization) patients diagnosed as AF by 12‐lead electrocardiogram were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty‐five patients who received catheter ablation (ABL group) were compared with 50 patients treated by antiarrhythmic drugs and/or beta‐blockers (CNT group). The primary endpoint was rehospitalization due to HF.ResultsThe patients characteristics did not differ between the two groups including, age (71 ± 8 vs 71 ± 13 years; P = .637), female sex (34% vs 36%; P = .870), mean plasma brain natriuretic peptide (145 ± 112 vs 195 ± 153 pg/mL; P = .111), mean left ventricular ejection fraction (62% ± 8% vs 61% ± 9%; P = .624), and type of AF (nonparoxysmal AF 60% vs 62%; P = .852). Amiodarone was continued 40% (14 out of 35) and 40% (20 out of 70) in ABL and CNT groups, respectively (P = 1.000). Neither major complication nor major side effect was observed during the follow‐up period. During a mean follow‐up period of 792 ± 485 days, Kaplan‐Meier curve analysis showed that significantly more patients in the ABL group were free from HF rehospitalization (log‐rank P = .0039). Additionally, multivariate analysis revealed that catheter ablation of AF was the only preventive factor of HF rehospitalization (OR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.04‐0.46; P < .001).ConclusionsCatheter ablation of AF reduced HF rehospitalization compared with conventional pharmacotherapy in patients with HFpEF in our institute. Multicenter randomized study is warranted to confirm the result.
Offspring phenotype is shaped by the nonsperm fraction of semen
Authors: Kekäläinen Jukka , Jokiniemi Annalaura , Janhunen Matti , Huuskonen Hannu 
Published: January 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

SummaryA site‐specific xenon plasma focused ion beam preparation technique for microcantilever samples (1–20 µm width and 1:10 aspect ratio) is presented. The novelty of the methodology is the use of a chunk lift‐out onto a clean silicon wafer to facilitate easy access of a low‐cost probe type indenter which provides bending force measurement. The lift‐out method allows sufficient room for the indenter and a line of sight for the electron beam to enable displacement measurement. An electroplated nanotwinned copper (NTC) was cut to a 3 × 3 × 25 µm microbeam and in situ mechanically tested using the developed technique. It demonstrated measured values of Youngs modulus of 78.7 ± 11 GPa and flow stress of 0.80 ± 0.05 GPa, which is within the ranges reported in the literature.Lay DescriptionIn this paper a site specific method is present for making particularly small mechanical tests samples, of the order of 100th the size of a human hair. These small samples can then be used to determine the mechanical properties of the bulk material. Copper with a nano twinned grain structure is used as a test medium.Ion milling was used to cut the sample to shape and a micro probe was used for mechanical testing. Ion milling can cut away very small volumes of material as it accelerates ions at the surface of the sample, atomically machining the sample. Micro probes are a cost‐effective small‐scale load measurement devices, however, they require a large area for accessing the sample. The indenter requirements are a problem when making you samples with ion milling as ion millers are best at making small cuts. Our aim was to design a cutting strategy which reduces the amount of cutting required while allowing samples to be fabricated anywhere on the sample.We used a chunk lift out technique to remove a piece of material which is then welded to a wafer of silicon this gives sufficient space around the sample for ion milling and testing. The additional space allowed easy access for the probe. A 3 × 3 × 10 µm micro cantilever beam was cut out from copper, this beam was then bent. The force from bending and distance bent was measured and converted into Youngs modulus which is a measure of flexibility. The modulus value measured was comparable to the values reported in other papers.
Cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase and D1 dopamine receptors regulate diacylglycerol lipase‐α and synaptic 2‐arachidonoyl glycerol signaling
Authors: Shonesy Brian C. , Stephenson Jason R. , Marks Christian R. , Colbran Roger J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBrain endocannabinoids serve as retrograde neurotransmitters, being synthesized in post‐synaptic neurons “on demand” and released to bind pre‐synaptic cannabinoid receptors and suppress glutamatergic or GABAergic transmission. The most abundant brain endocannabinoid, 2 arachidonoyl glycerol (2‐AG), is primarily synthesized by diacylglycerol lipase‐α (DGLα), which is activated by poorly understood mechanisms in response to calcium influx following post‐synaptic depolarization and/or the activation of Gq‐coupled group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors. However, the impact of other neurotransmitters and their downstream signaling pathways on synaptic 2‐AG signaling has not been intensively studied. Here, we found that DGLα activity in membrane fractions from transfected HEK293T cells was significantly increased by in vitro phosphorylation using cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA). Moreover, PKA directly phosphorylated DGLα at Ser798 in vitro. Elevation of cAMP levels in HEK293 cells expressing DGLα increased Ser798 phosphorylation, as detected using a phospho‐Ser798‐specific antibody, and enhanced DGLα activity; this in situ enhancement of DGLα activity was prevented by mutation of Ser798 to Ala. We investigated the impact of PKA on synaptic 2‐AG mobilization in mouse striatal slices by manipulating D1‐dopamine receptor (D1R) signaling and assessing depolarization‐induced suppression of excitation, a DGLα‐ and 2‐AG‐dependent form of short‐term synaptic depression. The magnitude of depolarization‐enhanced suppression of excitation in direct pathway medium spiny neurons was increased by pre‐incubation with a D1R agonist, and this enhancement was blocked by post‐synaptic inhibition of PKA. Taken together, these findings provide new molecular insights into the complex mechanisms regulating synaptic endocannabinoid signaling.
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Intensity, Duration, and Frequency of Post‐Dialysis Fatigue in Patients on Chronic Haemodialysis
Authors: Bossola Maurizio , Di Stasio Enrico , Monteburini Tania , Parodi Emanuele , Ippoliti Fabio , Bonomini Mario , Santarelli Stefano , Eugenio Nebiolo Pier , Sirolli Vittorio , Cenerelli Stefano 
Published: January 2020

SUMMARYBackgroundAlthough frequent and debilitating, little is known about the characteristics of post‐dialysis fatigue (PDF).ObjectiveTo characterise the intensity, duration and frequency of PDF and the associated variables in patients on chronic haemodialyses.DesignProspective, observational and multicenter study.PatientsWe studied 271 patients.MeasurementsPatients were considered to be suffering from PDF if they spontaneously offered this complaint when asked the open‐ended question: “Do you feel fatigued after dialysis? Then, each patient was invited to rate the intensity, duration and frequency of PDF from 1 to 5.ResultsOne hundred sixty‐four patients (60.5%) had PDF. The median [95% confidence interval (CI)] scores of PDF intensity, duration and frequency were 3 (3–4), 3 (3–4) and 4 (4‐4), respectively. The median (95% CI) of the sum of the scores (Sum Score) of PDF intensity, duration and frequency was 11 (10–12). Seventy four patients had a Sum Score ≥ 12. Using multiple regression analysis, PDF intensity was associated with dialytic age and ultrafiltration rate (UFR), PDF duration with dialytic age, while PDF fatigue frequency was associated with height. The Sum Score was associated with dialytic age and recovery time and negatively associated with daily activity, height and UFR (ml/kg/h).ConclusionThe intensity, duration and frequency of PDF are high in a large percentage of patients, suggesting that PDF is an intense event in terms of quantity and quality. Understanding the relationship between the variables associated with PDF and its intensity, duration and frequency may help better understand the underlying mechanisms of this burdensome condition.
Exploring the Alignment of Behavior Screening Policies and Practices in US Public School Districts
Authors: Auerbach Emily R. , Chafouleas Sandra M. , Briesch Amy M. , Long Stephanie J. 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDAlthough recent studies provide information regarding state‐level policies and district‐level practices regarding social, emotional, and behavioral screening, the degree to which these policies influence screening practices is unknown. As such, the purpose of this exploratory study was to compare state‐ and district‐level policies and reported practices around school‐based social, emotional, and behavioral screening.METHODSWe obtained data for the present study from three sources: (1) a recent systematic review of state department of education websites; (2) a national survey of 1330 US school districts; and (3) a Web search and review of policy manuals published by the 1330 school districts. Comparative analyses were used to identify similarities and differences across state and district policies and practices.RESULTSOf the 1330 districts searched, 911 had policy manuals available for review; 87 of these policy manuals, which represented 10 states, met inclusion criteria, and thus, were included in analyses. Discrepancies were found across state and district policies and across state social, emotional, and behavioral screening guidance and district practices, but consistencies did exist across district policies within the same state.CONCLUSIONDistrict‐level guidance around social, emotional, and behavioral screening appears to be limited. Our findings suggest a disconnect between state‐ and district‐level social, emotional, and behavioral screening guidance and district reported practices, which signifies the need to identify the main influences on district‐ and school‐level screening practices.