bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SP1‐mediated upregulation of LINGO‐1 promotes degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in optic nerve injury
Authors: Wu Yali , Zhan Zongyi , Quan Yadan , Yang Yangfan , Chen Xiaotao , Liu Liling , Wu Kaili , Yu Minbin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundsInsults to the axons in the optic nerve head are the primary cause of loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in traumatic, ischemic nerve injury or degenerative ocular diseases. The central nervous system–specific leucine‐rich repeat protein, LINGO‐1, negatively regulates axon regeneration and neuronal survival after injury. However, the upstream molecular mechanisms that regulate LINGO‐1 signaling and contribute to LINGO‐1–mediated death of RGCs are unclear.MethodsThe expression of SP1 was profiled in optic nerve crush (ONC)–injured RGCs. LINGO‐1 level was examined after SP1 overexpression by qRT‐PCR. Luciferase assay was used to examine the binding of SP1 to the promoter regions of LINGO‐1. Primary RGCs from rat retina were isolated by immunopanning and RGCs apoptosis were determined by Tunnel. SP1 and LINGO‐1 expression was investigated using immunohistochemistry and Western bolting. Neuroprotection was assessed by RGC counts, RNFL thickness, and VEP tests after inhibition of SP1 shRNA.ResultsWe demonstrate that SP1 was upregulated in ONC‐injured RGCs. SP1 was bound to the LINGO‐1 promoter, which led to increased expression of LINGO‐1. Treatment with recombinant Nogo‐66 or LINGO‐1 promoted apoptosis of RGCs cultured under serum‐deprivation conditions, while silencing of SP1 promoted the survival of RGCs. SP1 and LINGO‐1 colocalized and were upregulated in ONC‐injured retinas. Silencing of SP1 in vivo reduced LINGO‐1 expression and protected the structure of RGCs from ONC‐induced injury, but there was no sign of recovery in VEP.ConclusionsOur findings imply that SP1 regulates LINGO‐1 expression in RGCs in the injured retina and provide insight into mechanisms underlying LINGO‐1–mediated RGC death in optic nerve injury.
Perceptions of vulture supplementary feeding site managers and potential hidden risks to avian scavengers
Authors: Brink Christiaan W. , Santangeli Andrea , Amar Arjun , Wolter Kerri , Tate Gareth , Krüger Sonja , Tucker Andrew S. , Thomson Robert L. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUnder the current African vulture crisis, supplementary feeding sites (SFS), which provide carrion resources, have become a popular conservation tool to address vulture declines. In South Africa, this practice is unregulated and the context in which SFS operate and their adherence to best management practices is currently unknown. In this study, we conducted a survey with SFS managers regarding the management of their SFS to evaluate potential conservation implications of different practices. Half of the SFS surveyed were associated with livestock farming. Overall, most managers (84%) perceived some benefit from running an SFS, largely attributed to cleaning services provided by vultures. Over half of the managers perceived no disadvantages from running SFS. We found a positive correlation between numbers of vultures seen at SFS and the amount of food provided there. Despite unintentional and intentional poisoning being identified by experts as the most critical threats to vultures in Southern Africa, only 47 and 24% of managers, respectively, listed these as potential threats to vultures, highlighting limited understanding of current vulture conservation issues. Most managers (85%) vetted carcasses for provisioning suitability based on whether they had been treated with veterinary drugs, but relatively few managers (10%) did the same for lead (Pb) contamination. Only 30% of managers considered threats to vultures when they decided on a location for their SFS. Overall, this study unveils that at many SFS, safety conditions are not met and vultures may be exposed to risks, such as the ingestion of toxic substances (e.g., Pb) or electrocution by energy infrastructure. To minimize unintended negative consequences from SFS, it will be essential to increase the interaction between SFS managers and conservation practitioners, to increase the flow of information on best management practices and enforce stringent and clear guidelines that minimize any risks to vultures.
Evidence from the Productive Safety Net Programme in Ethiopia: Complementarities between social protection and health policies
Authors: Hirvonen Kalle , Bossuyt Anne , Pigois Remy 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMotivationSocial protection policies typically involve multiple sectors, ranging from food security to health care. Despite this, limited research is directed toward understanding how different social protection programmes complement each other.PurposeWe explore complementarities between three major national social protection programmes in rural Ethiopia: the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP), the Community Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme and the Health Fee Waiver (HFW) system.Approach and methodsWe use secondary data from districts in which the PSNP operates to study the coverage of the CBHI and the HFW schemes. We then quantify the prevalence of health shocks reported by poor households and calculate the annual out‐of‐pocket (OOP) health care expenses incurred by poor households in these districts.FindingsWe find limited overlap between the PSNP and the CBHI or HFW schemes. In districts in which the CBHI operates, about 22% of the PSNP households are enrolled into CBHI. For 10% of all PSNP households, the CBHI insurance premium was waived due to their poverty status. In non‐CBHI districts, 3.5% of PSNP households report having benefitted from HFW. Moreover, many households report serious health shocks that resulted in loss of consumption or assets. The estimated OOP health expenditures are high, even among those households enrolled into CBHI or benefitting from HFW.Policy implicationsTaken together, these findings suggest that there is scope to improve the linkages between these three major social protection programmes in Ethiopia to protect the poorest and most vulnerable households.
Left and right atrial speckle tracking: Comparison of three methods of time reference gating
Authors: Palmer Cassady , Truong Vien T. , Klas Berthold , Wolking Sarah , Ornella Allison , Young Michael , Ngo Tam N. M. , Tretter Justin T. , Nagueh Sherif F. , Mazur Wojciech 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundAtrial function has a close interdependence with ventricular function and plays a central role in maintaining optimal cardiac function. There are two well‐defined timing methods used to determine the start point. The aim of this prospective study was to objectively assess the influence of gating method selection on reported left and right strain values within the same group of healthy subjects.Methods101 volunteers (44 male, 57 female) had adequate tracking for analysis on TomTec Imaging Systems (Unterschleissheim, Germany). The median age was 41 years (range 19‐79 years, interquartile range 30‐52 years). Atrial strain by 2D‐speckle tracking echocardiography was evaluated using two commonly applied zero baseline time reference methods: R‐R gating and P‐P gating, in addition to volume gating (defining end‐systole at the atrial maximum and end‐diastole at the atrial minimum).ResultsTrue atrial minimum occurred prior to the onset of the QRS in most healthy volunteers. There was a significant difference for LA and RA reservoir strain between volume gating and R‐R gating (mean difference, 4.63%; P < .001 for LA; mean difference, 4.23%; P < .001 for RA), as well as volume gating and P‐P gating (mean difference, 5.26%; P < .001 for LA; mean difference, 6.24%; P < .001 for RA). Noticeably, reservoir strain was comparable between R‐R gating and P‐P gating (mean difference, 0.58%, P = .06) in LA, but not on RA (mean difference, 2.02%, P < .001).ConclusionsThere was variability in atrial strain values depending on the zero baseline time reference method used.
Officer retention and military spending: the rise of the military‐industrial complex during the Second World War
Authors: RAHMAN AHMED S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis article examines how the regional distribution of US military personnel contributed to military expenditures around the country. We first discuss a theory of political economy for military spending—officers who remain in service can eventually help channel military funds and employment to their respective regions of origin, through direct military spending decisions or indirect political channels. Further, if officer retention is positively related to less industrialization at home (fewer work opportunities at home induce greater service lengths), this channel will induce greater progressiveness in military spending. To test these ideas we use the personnel records of officers serving in the US Navy from 1870 to the late 1930s. Tracking the tenure of all officers, we construct measures of ‘military representation’ across US counties. Through ordinary least squares, Tobit, and instrumental variable approaches, we find that senior naval officer representation across regions positively and robustly predicts regional naval spending (but not spending from other branches) during the Second World War.
Psychometric analysis of a measure of acceptance of new technologies (UTAUT), applied to the use of haptic virtual simulators in dental students
Authors: González Bravo Luis , Fernández Sagredo Marcelo , Torres Martínez Pilar , Barrios Penna Carolina , Fonseca Molina Juan , Stanciu Ionut Dorin , Nistor Nicolae 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe aims of this study are (a) to assess the psychometric quality of an instrument of acceptance of new technologies adapted from the UTAUT model, (b) to validate the UTAUT model as a valid measure to be applied in dental education, and (c) to determine which factors of the UTAUT model predict the behavioural intention of using a haptic virtual simulator (HVS).MethodsA cross‐sectional design study with a sample of 265 dentistry students was carried out.ResultsUsing structural equation modelling, confirmatory factor analysis verified the adequacy of four‐factor model, although the only factor that directly predicts behavioural intention is performance expectancy. Internal consistency coefficients of each factor ranged from 0.800 to 0.969.DiscussionThese findings, as well as the predictive power of performance expectancy on behaviour intention, are in line with previous evidence found in the literature.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the UTAUT scale has adequate reliability and construct factorial validity; therefore, UTAUT model could be a valuable approach to assess haptic virtual simulator acceptance in dental education.
Behavioural diversity in fishing—Towards a next generation of fishery models
Authors: Wijermans Nanda , Boonstra Wiebren J. , Orach Kirill , Hentati‐Sundberg Jonas , Schlüter Maja 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDespite improved knowledge and stricter regulations, numerous fish stocks remain overharvested. Previous research has shown that fisheries management may fail when the models and assessments used to inform management are based on unrealistic assumptions regarding fishers' decision‐making and responses to policies. Improving the understanding of fisher behaviour requires addressing its diversity and complexity through the integration of social science knowledge into modelling. In our paper, we review and synthesize state‐of‐the‐art research on both social science's understanding of fisher behaviour and the representation of fisher decision‐making in scientific models. We then develop and experiment with an agent‐based social–ecological fisheries model that formalizes three different fishing styles. Thereby we reflect on the implications of our incorporation of behavioural diversity and contrast it with the predominant assumption in fishery models: fishing practices being driven by rational profit maximizing. We envision a next generation of fisheries models and management that account for social scientific knowledge on individual and collective human behaviours. Through our agent‐based model, we demonstrate how such an integration is possible and propose a scientific approach for reducing uncertainty based on human behavioural diversity in fisheries. This study serves to lay the foundations for a next generation of social–ecological fishery models that account for human behavioural diversity and social and ecological complexity that are relevant for a realistic assessment and management of fishery sustainability problems.
Isotopically anomalous organic carbon in the aftermath of the Marinoan snowball Earth
Authors: Liljestrand Frasier L. , Laakso Thomas A. , Macdonald Francis A. , Schrag Daniel P. , Johnston David T. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThroughout most of the sedimentary record, the marine carbon cycle is interpreted as being in isotopic steady state. This is most commonly inferred via isotopic reconstructions, where two export fluxes (organic carbon and carbonate) are offset by a constant isotopic fractionation of ~25 (termed

). Sedimentary deposits immediately overlying the Marinoan snowball Earth diamictites, however, stray from this prediction. In stratigraphic sections from the Ol Formation (Mongolia) and Sheepbed Formation (Canada), we observe a temporary excursion where the organic matter has anomalously heavy

C and is grossly decoupled from the carbonate

C. This signal may reflect the unique biogeochemical conditions that persisted in the aftermath of snowball Earth. For example, physical oceanographic modeling suggests that a strong density gradient caused the ocean to remain stratified for about 50,000 years after termination of the Marinoan snowball event, during which time the surface ocean and continental weathering consumed the large atmospheric CO2 reservoir. Further, we now better understand how

C records of carbonate can be post‐depostionally altered and thus be misleading. In an attempt to explain the observed carbon isotope record, we developed a model that tracks the fluxes and isotopic values of carbon between the surface ocean, deep ocean, and atmosphere. By comparing the model output to the sedimentary data, stratification alone cannot generate the anomalous observed isotopic signal. Reproducing the heavy

C in organic matter requires the progressively diminishing contribution of an additional anomalous source of organic matter. The exact source of this organic matter is unclear.
Standardized short‐term acute heat stress assays resolve historical differences in coral thermotolerance across microhabitat reef sites
Authors: Voolstra Christian R. , Buitrago‐López Carol , Perna Gabriela , Cárdenas Anny , Hume Benjamin C. C. , Rädecker Nils , Barshis Daniel J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCoral bleaching is one of the main drivers of reef degradation. Most corals bleach and suffer mortality at just 1–2°C above their maximum monthly mean temperatures, but some species and genotypes resist or recover better than others. Here, we conducted a series of 18‐hr short‐term acute heat stress assays side‐by‐side with a 21‐day long‐term heat stress experiment to assess the ability of both approaches to resolve coral thermotolerance differences reflective of in situ reef temperature thresholds. Using a suite of physiological parameters (photosynthetic efficiency, coral whitening, chlorophyll a, host protein, algal symbiont counts, and algal type association), we assessed bleaching susceptibility of Stylophora pistillata colonies from the windward/exposed and leeward/protected sites of a nearshore coral reef in the central Red Sea, which had previously shown differential mortality during a natural bleaching event. Photosynthetic efficiency was most indicative of the expected higher thermal tolerance in corals from the protected reef site, denoted by an increased retention of dark‐adapted maximum quantum yields at higher temperatures. These differences were resolved using both experimental setups, as corroborated by a positive linear relationship, not observed for the other parameters. Notably, short‐term acute heat stress assays resolved per‐colony (genotype) differences that may have been masked by acclimation effects in the long‐term experiment. Using our newly developed portable experimental system termed the Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS), we thus highlight the potential of mobile, standardized short‐term acute heat stress assays to resolve fine‐scale differences in coral thermotolerance. Accordingly, such a system may be suitable for large‐scale determination and complement existing approaches to identify resilient genotypes/reefs for downstream experimental examination and prioritization of reef sites for conservation/restoration. Development of such a framework is consistent with the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences and the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program committees for new intervention and restoration strategies.
The role of the Neotropics as a source of world tetrapod biodiversity
Authors: Meseguer Andrea S. , Antoine Pierre‐Olivier , Fouquet Antoine , Delsuc Frédéric , Condamine Fabien L. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAimThe Neotropics currently host outstanding levels of species richness, with one‐third of the global tetrapod species. The underlying causes of these extraordinary levels of biodiversity are a topic debated in evolutionary ecology, but the main processes at work remain elusive.LocationNeotropics.Time periodCenozoic and Mesozoic.Major taxa studiedTetrapods.MethodsUsing global phylogenies for amphibians, birds, lepidosaurs and mammals, biogeographical and time‐variable (trait‐dependent and trait‐independent) diversification models, we examined changes in speciation and extinction rates through time in the Neotropics in relationship to other areas of the world, and estimated the time of Neotropical colonizations.ResultsWe found that from the origin of lepidosaurs and mammals until the Pliocene (the Miocene for birds), diversification rates within the Neotropics were lower than rates in other regions (i.e., turnover was high). Afterwards, extinction decreased relative to speciation, and Neotropical diversification outpaced diversification in other regions. Dispersal out of the Neotropics also increased after the Pliocene (the Miocene for birds), exceeding into‐the‐Neotropics migrations. For amphibians, diversification rates in the Neotropics have been higher than in other areas through time, and dispersal out of the Neotropics decreased in the Cenozoic.Main conclusionsThe common view that the Neotropics are an ancient source of world species diversity, with high in situ speciation, dispersal to other areas and low extinction, might be true only for amphibians. For mammals, birds and lepidosaurs, the Neotropics acted as a diversity sink from their origin until the Miocene–Pliocene (i.e., diversification rates were lower and turnover higher than in other areas). Only afterwards did the region turn into a diversity source. Our study highlights that models accounting for rates of diversification that vary through time could improve our capacity to assess evolutionary dynamics over long time‐scales.
GATA2 functions in adrenal chromaffin cells
Authors: Watanabe‐Asaka Tomomi , Hayashi Moyuru , Engel James Douglas , Kawai Yoshiko , Moriguchi Takashi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCatecholamine synthesized in the sympathoadrenal system, including sympathetic neurons and adrenal chromaffin cells, is vital for cardiovascular homeostasis. It has been reported that GATA2, a zinc finger transcription factor, is expressed in murine sympathoadrenal progenitor cells. However, a physiological role for GATA2 in adrenal chromaffin cells has not been established. In this study, we demonstrate that GATA2 is specifically expressed in adrenal chromaffin cells. We examined the consequences of Gata2 loss‐of‐function mutations, exploiting a Gata2 conditional knockout allele crossed to neural crest‐specific Wnt1‐Cre transgenic mice (Gata2 NC‐CKO). The vast majority of Gata2 NC‐CKO embryos died by embryonic day 14.5 (e14.5) and exhibited a decrease in catecholamine‐producing adrenal chromaffin cells, implying that a potential catecholamine defect might lead to the observed embryonic lethality. When intercrossed pregnant dams were fed with synthetic adrenaline analogs, the lethality of the Gata2 NC‐CKO embryos was partially rescued, indicating that placental transfer of the adrenaline analogs complements the lethal catecholamine deficiency in the Gata2 NC‐CKO embryos. These results demonstrate that GATA2 participates in the development of neuroendocrine adrenaline biosynthesis, which is essential for fetal survival.
Development of a portable reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification system to detect the E1 region of Chikungunya virus in a cost‐effective manner
Authors: Saechue Benjawan , Kamiyama Naganori , Wang Yinan , Fukuda Chiaki , Watanabe Kei , Soga Yasuhiro , Goto Mizuki , Dewayani Astri , Ariki Shimpei , Hirose Haruna , Ozaka Sotaro , Sachi Nozomi , Hidano Shinya , Faisal Khaledul , Chowdhury Rajashree , Anik Ashfaq Khan Md. , Hossain Faria , Ghosh Prakash , Shirin Tahmina , Mondal Dinesh , Murakami Kazunari , Kobayashi Takashi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractChikungunya fever is a mosquito‐borne disease cause of persistent arthralgia. The current diagnosis of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) relies on a conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay. Reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RT‐LAMP) is a rapid and simple tool used for DNA‐based diagnosis of a variety of infectious diseases. In this study, we established an RT‐LAMP system to recognize CHIKV by targeting the envelope protein 1 (E1) gene that could also detect CHIKV at a concentration of 8 PFU without incorrectly detecting other mosquito‐borne viruses. The system also amplified the E1 genome in the serum of CHIKV‐infected mice with high sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, we established a dry RT‐LAMP system that can be transported without a cold chain, which detected the virus genome in CHIKV‐infected patient samples with high accuracy. Thus, the dry RT‐LAMP system has great potential to be applied as a novel CHIKV screening kit in endemic areas.
Systematic review about etiologic association to the leukoerythroblastic reaction
Authors: Tabares Calvache Ebellins , Tabares Calvache Allison Dessiret , Faulhaber Gustavo Adolpho Moreira 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackground and purposeLeukoerythroblastic reaction (LER) is characterized by the presence of immature erythroid cells and myeloid precursors (metamyelocytes, myelocytes, promyelocytes, myeloblasts, and blasts) as well as, exclusively in myelofibrotic disorders, teardrop cells in the peripheral blood (J Pathol Bacteriol, 42, 1936, 541; Semaine Med, 22, 1902, 373). Research on how to interpret LER and its meaning in clinical practice is scarce, and there is no consensus on the diagnostic criteria. We summarize the current evidence with the aim of clarifying the knowledge on this subject.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed‐MEDLINE, EMBASE and ELSEVIER databases, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and medical journals to identify relevant papers.ResultsOur search identified 425 papers, of which, 35 (11 trials and 24 case reports) ultimately met the inclusion criteria. These showed two principal groups of diseases associated with leukoerythroblastosis (LEB), corresponding to solid and hematological malignancies. The other etiologies, in order of frequency, were hemolytic diseases, infection, and others, while hemorrhage was only reported in the trials group.ConclusionThe literature on LER is scarce and heterogeneous. The etiological factors of LER are diverse, and its presence in malignant disease is an indicator of disease progression and an adverse prognosis suggesting poor survival. In those cases where LER had neither hematological nor solid neoplasms, its manifestation, prognosis and its impact on our daily clinical practice are unknown.