bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Virtual endocranial and inner ear endocasts of the Paleocene ‘condylarth’ Chriacus: new insight into the neurosensory system and evolution of early placental mammals
Authors: Bertrand Ornella C. , Shelley Sarah L. , Wible John R. , Williamson Thomas E. , Holbrook Luke T. , Chester Stephen G.B. , Butler Ian B. , Brusatte Stephen L. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe end‐Cretaceous mass extinction allowed placental mammals to diversify ecologically and taxonomically as they filled ecological niches once occupied by non‐avian dinosaurs and more basal mammals. Little is known, however, about how the neurosensory systems of mammals changed after the extinction, and what role these systems played in mammalian diversification. We here use high‐resolution computed tomography (CT) scanning to describe the endocranial and inner ear endocasts of two species, Chriacus pelvidens and Chriacus baldwini, which belong to a cluster of ‘archaic’ placental mammals called ‘arctocyonid condylarths’ that thrived during the ca. 10 million years after the extinction (the Paleocene Epoch), but whose relationships to extant placentals are poorly understood. The endocasts provide new insight into the paleobiology of the long‐mysterious ‘arctocyonids’, and suggest that Chriacus was an animal with an encephalization quotient (EQ) range of 0.12–0.41, which probably relied more on its sense of smell than vision, because the olfactory bulbs are proportionally large but the neocortex and petrosal lobules are less developed. Agility scores, estimated from the dimensions of the semicircular canals of the inner ear, indicate that Chriacus was slow to moderately agile, and its hearing capabilities, estimated from cochlear dimensions, suggest similarities with the extant aardvark. Chriacus shares many brain features with other Paleocene mammals, such as a small lissencephalic brain, large olfactory bulbs and small petrosal lobules, which are likely plesiomorphic for Placentalia. The inner ear of Chriacus also shares derived characteristics of the elliptical and spherical recesses with extinct species that belong to Euungulata, the extant placental group that includes artiodactyls and perissodactyls. This lends key evidence to the hypothesized close relationship between Chriacus and the extant ungulate groups, and demonstrates that neurosensory features can provide important insight into both the paleobiology and relationships of early placental mammals.
Multiple steps characterise ventricular layer attrition to form the ependymal cell lining of the adult mouse spinal cord central canal
Authors: Cañizares Marco A. , Albors Aida Rodrigo , Singer Gail , Suttie Nicolle , Gorkic Metka , Felts Paul , Storey Kate G. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe ventricular layer of the spinal cord is remodelled during embryonic development and ultimately forms the ependymal cell lining of the adult central canal, which retains neural stem cell potential. This anatomical transformation involves the process of dorsal collapse; however, accompanying changes in tissue organisation and cell behaviour as well as the precise origin of cells contributing to the central canal are not well understood. Here, we describe sequential localised cell rearrangements which accompany the gradual attrition of the spinal cord ventricular layer during development. This includes local breakdown of the pseudostratified organisation of the dorsal ventricular layer prefiguring dorsal collapse and evidence for a new phenomenon, ventral dissociation, during which the ventral‐most floor plate cells separate from a subset that are retained around the central canal. Using cell proliferation markers and cell‐cycle reporter mice, we further show that following dorsal collapse, ventricular layer attrition involves an overall reduction in cell proliferation, characterised by an intriguing increase in the percentage of cells in G1/S. In contrast, programmed cell death does not contribute to ventricular layer remodelling. By analysing transcript and protein expression patterns associated with key signalling pathways, we provide evidence for a gradual decline in ventral sonic hedgehog activity and an accompanying ventral expansion of initial dorsal bone morphogenetic protein signalling, which comes to dominate the forming the central canal lining. This study identifies multiple steps that may contribute to spinal cord ventricular layer attrition and adds to increasing evidence for the heterogeneous origin of the spinal cord ependymal cell population, which includes cells from the floor plate and the roof plate as well as ventral progenitor domains.
Methods of pain control during endometrial biopsy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Charoenkwan Kittipat , Nantasupha Chalaithorn 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimTo review effectiveness of methods for reducing pain during endometrial biopsy.MethodsPubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for randomized controlled trials that examined effectiveness of pain control methods for endometrial biopsy. Risk of bias was assessed from sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding, incomplete outcome data and selective outcome reporting. Heterogeneity was examined from forest plot, statistical tests of homogeneity, and I2 statistic. For meta‐analysis of pain scores, weighted mean difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated.ResultsTwenty‐six studies were included in the review. Marginally significant reduction in the pain score during the procedure in participants with intrauterine lidocaine relative to control was observed (mean difference [MD] −1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] −2.70 to 0.09, P = 0.07). Subgroup analysis showed that in studies that used low‐pressure suction devices, intrauterine lidocaine was associated with statistically significant reduction in pain during the procedure (MD −2.22, 95% CI −3.72 to −0.73, P = 0.004). There was a significantly lower pain score during biopsy in the anesthetic spray group compared to control (MD −0.96, 95% CI −1.53 to −0.39, P = 0.001). Significant heterogeneity on types of intervention and outcome measures among studies that examined paracervical block and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID) was observed. However, paracervical block and NSAID were associated with significant pain reduction compared to placebo in most of the related studies.ConclusionIntrauterine anesthetics, anesthetic cervical spray, paracervical block and oral NSAID provide effective pain control during endometrial biopsy.
Receiving Prosocial Behavior: Examining the Reciprocal Associations between Positive Peer Treatment and Psychosocial and Behavioral Outcomes
Authors: Stotsky Miriam T. , Bowker Julie C. , Etkin Rebecca G. 
Published: October 2019

This study investigates the prospective and reciprocal associations between positive peer treatment and psychosocial (popularity, preference, psychological distress) and behavioral (prosocial behavior) outcomes during early adolescence. Participants were 270 young adolescents (52% boys; Mage = 11.84 years) who completed peer nomination and self‐report measures as part of a 7‐month longitudinal study (Wave 1; Feb. Grade 6; Wave 2: May, Grade 6; Wave 3: Sept., Grade 7). Cross‐lagged autoregressive path models revealed reciprocal associations between positive peer treatment and prosocial behavior, such that Wave 1 positive peer treatment predicted increases in Wave 2 prosocial behavior and vice versa. Findings are novel, highlight the importance of considering positive peer treatment during adolescence, and set the stage for future work in this area.
Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assay for the detection of Plasmopara viticola infecting grapes
Authors: Marimuthu Karthick , Ayyanar Kamalakannan , Varagur Ganesan Malathi , Vaikuntavasan Paranidharan , Uthandi Sivakumar , Mathiyazhagan Kavino , Nagaraj Gowrisri 
Published: October 2019

AbstractGrapes downy mildew caused by obligate oomycete plant pathogen Plasmopara viticola is a devastating disease worldwide, resulting in significant yield and quality losses. A field survey was conducted in two major grapes cultivated areas of Tamil Nadu for the incidence of grapevine downy mildew. The disease incidence was 43.42%–76.69%, and the highest disease incidence of 76.69% was observed in the Theni district. Totally eight P. viticola isolates were collected from different places in Coimbatore and Theni districts. These isolates were confirmed through microscopic observation and sequencing of COX 2 gene, and the phylogenetic tree was developed to study their phylogenetic relationship among the isolates which shows 97–100% sequence similarity with other P. viticola isolates and less sequence similarity with Plasmopara species. The loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed based on the CesA4 gene sequence of P. viticola. The assay developed was more sensitive as it detected P. viticola genomic DNA up to 20 fmg. LAMP assay specificity was proved by carrying out the assay with genomic DNA extracted from other Oomycetes and fungal plant pathogens. Finally, LAMP assay was validated by testing seventy‐eight grapevine leaf samples collected from seven different locations. LAMP assay showed a positive reaction in sixty‐two samples tested out of seventy‐eight samples tested. Therefore, the LAMP assay described should helpful for early and specific detection of downy mildew pathogen and help in mitigating disease incidence.
Heuchera root rot, a new disease for Plectosphaerella cucumerina
Authors: Elmer Wade , Li DeWei , Yavuz Sumeyra , Madeiras Angela , Schultes Neil 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA Plectosphaerella sp. was isolated from an undescribed root rot of the herbaceous ornamental Heuchera sanguine (Coral Bells) in Massachusetts. Morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis using DNA sequences derived from internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA, large subunit (LSU) of rDNA, calmodulin (CaM), β‐tubulin 2 (Tub) and transcription elongation factor 1 (Ef‐1α) loci identified the fungus as a member of Plectosphaerella cucumerina. A test of Koch's postulates on an isolate of P. cucumerina indicated that it was a pathogen causing root rot in Heuchera sp. The pathogen caused greatest damage to small transplants (1–4 g) as opposed the larger transplants (9–13 g) and in separate studies was found to infect seedlings of cucumbers, melons and pumpkins. Plectosphaerella cucumerina is reported for the first time in Heuchera sp. Given the importance of Heuchera to the ornamental industry, and the rapid dissemination that can occur with propagated material in the horticultural trade, caution should be exercised to prevent the spread of P. cucumerina.
Effect of Illicium verum or Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts on the anti‐stress ability, and mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and TNF‐α in Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire and Chinese native Licha‐black nursery piglets
Authors: Jiang Shan , Yang Zaibin , Huang Libo , Yang Weiren , Song Danping , Liu Faxiao , Ge Jinshan , Wang Yuxi , Jiang Shuzhen 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPlant extracts are considered to be an effective alternative to antibiotics in response to weaning stress in piglets. This study evaluated the effect of Illicium verum extracts (IVE) or Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts (ELE) on growth performance, serum and liver antioxidant ability of nursery piglets, as well as the difference of IVE and ELE on Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) and Chinese native Licha‐black (LCB) piglets. A total of 96 nursery piglets (48 DLY and 48 LCB piglets) with an average body weight of 11.22 ± 0.32 kg were randomly divided into four treatments in a 2 × 4 factorial design. Each treatment had four replicates with 3 DLY and 3 LCB piglets per replicate respectively. Treatments included: basal diet, basal diet + 500 mg/kg IVE, basal diet + 250 mg/kg ELE and basal diet + 50 mg/kg chlortetracycline (CHL). All piglets were housed individually for the 42 days trial period after 7 days adaptation. Results showed that there were significant interactions (p < .05) between piglets species and dietary treatments in average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency, serum and hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic integral optical density (IOD) of α‐tumour necrosis factor (TNF‐α), hepatic relative mRNA expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)/TNF‐α and protein expression of TNF‐α. Regardless of piglets species, supplementation with IVE and ELE increased (p < .05) ADG and feed efficiency, T‐SOD and GSH‐Px in serum and liver, hepatic IOD of Nrf2, hepatic mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2/TNF‐α. However, CHL treatment resulted in lower (p < .05) serum GSH‐Px and hepatic mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2/TNF‐α, and higher hepatic MDA and IOD of TNF‐α. Compared to LCB, DLY piglets had higher (p < .05) ADG and feed efficiency, serum and hepatic MDA, and protein expression of TNF‐α, but lower (p < .05) ADFI, liver index, serum and hepatic GSH‐Px, hepatic IOD of TNF‐α, mRNA expressions of Nrf2/TNF‐α were observed. In conclusion, Illicium verum (500 mg/kg) and Eucommia ulmoides leaf (250 mg/kg) extracts can increase the growth performance and antioxidant ability of DLY and LCB piglets, while chlortetracycline produces undesirable side‐effects on the antioxidant ability of DLY and LCB piglets. Illicium verum and Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts produced different antioxidant effects in DLY and LCB piglets with the Chinese native Licha‐black pig responding better than Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire.
Pharmacokinetics, tissue residues, and ex vivo pharmacodynamics of tylosin against Mycoplasma anatis in ducks
Authors: Elazab Sara T. , Elshater Nahla S. , Hashem Yousreya H. , Park Seung‐Chun , Hsu Walter H. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe pharmacokinetics of tylosin were investigated in 3 groups of ducks (n = 6). They received a single dose of tylosin (50 mg/kg) by intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and oral administrations, respectively. Plasma samples were collected at various time points to 24 hr post‐administration to evaluate tylosin concentration over time. Additionally, tylosin residues in tissues and its withdrawal time were assessed using 30 ducks which received tylosin orally (50 mg/kg) once daily for 5 consecutive days. After IV administration, the volume of distribution, elimination half‐life, area under the plasma concentration–time curve, and the total body clearance were 7.07 ± 1.98 L/kg, 2.04 hr, 19.47 µg hr/ml, and 2.82 L hr−1 kg−1, respectively. After IM and oral administrations, the maximum plasma concentrations were 3.70 and 2.75 µg/ml achieved at 1 and 2 hr, and the bioavailability was 93.95% and 75.77%, respectively. The calculated withdrawal periods of tylosin were 13, 8, and 5 days for kidney, liver, and muscle, respectively. For the pharmacodynamic profile, the minimum inhibitory concentration for tylosin against M. anatis strain 1,340 was 1 µg/ml. The calculated optimal oral dose of tylosin against M. anatis in ducks based on the ex vivo pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling was 61 mg kg−1 day−1.
Interaction of herbs and tree saplings is mediated by soil fertility and stand evergreenness in southern Appalachian forests
Authors: Gafta Dan , Peet Robert K. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimsCompetitive inhibition of temperate forest tree recruits by herbs is likely important on sites with high fertility owing to faster height growth and consequent pre‐emption of light. We explored the site conditions and stand structure under which herbaceous growth has an impact on tree regeneration.LocationPlot data from 610 forest sites were collected from five areas across the southern Appalachian Mountains.MethodsSeveral plant guilds were distinguished based on various biological traits. Deterministic models of forest understorey were validated through recursive path analysis. The numerical analyses were performed both on all plots and on a subset of 150 plots free of evergreen shrubs.ResultsIn general, total herb cover increased with soil fertility, but in sites without evergreen shrubs no relationship emerged. Total herb cover varied inversely with woody stem density (saplings excluded), but the slope was much less steep in the absence of evergreen shrubs. Tree sapling density displayed a left‐tailed, asymmetric response with respect to total herb cover, but a symmetric unimodal response against tall herb cover. The shape of the distribution of tree stems by diameter class shifted from unimodal under a very sparse herbaceous layer to negative exponential in stands with mid to high herb cover. This was due to the suppressive impact of evergreen shrubs on understorey vegetation, which led to a positive covariance between total herb cover and tree sapling density. These two understorey variables became unrelated in the path model built on the subset without evergreen shrubs, but a similar model involving tall herbs revealed a direct negative effect of tall herb cover on tree sapling density.ConclusionsOur results provide evidence of tree recruits exclusion by tall herbs on fertile sites but not on acidic sites, where herb interference is much reduced by the suppressive effect of evergreen shrubs and trees on herbaceous layer vegetation.
Systematic review of the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition using food products
Authors: Lelijveld Natasha , Beedle Alexandra , Farhikhtah Arghanoon , Elrayah Eglal Elamin , Bourdaire Jessica , Aburto Nancy 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThere is currently a lack of international guidance on the most appropriate treatment for moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), and discrepancies in national treatment guidelines exist. We aimed to explore whether food interventions are effective for MAM children 6–59 months old and whether they result in better outcomes compared with no treatment or management with nutrition counselling. A systematic literature search was conducted in October 2018, identifying studies that compared treating MAM children with food products versus management with counselling or no intervention. A total of 673 abstracts were screened, 101 full texts were read, and one study was identified that met our inclusion criteria. After broadening the criteria to include micronutrients in the control group and enrolment based on out‐dated anthropometric criteria, 11 studies were identified for inclusion. Seven of these found food products to be superior for anthropometric outcomes compared with counselling and/or micronutrient supplementation; two of the studies found no significant benefit of a food product intervention; and two studies were inconclusive. Hence, the majority of studies in this review found that food products resulted in greater anthropometric gains than counselling or micronutrient interventions. This was especially true if the supplementary food provided was of suitable quality and provided for an adequate duration. Improving quality of and adherence to counselling may improve its effectiveness, particularly in food secure contexts. There is currently a paucity of comparable studies on this topic as well as a lack of studies that include important functional outcomes beyond anthropometric proxies.
The Sec1/Munc18‐like proteins TgSec1 and TgVps45 play pivotal roles in assembly of the pellicle and sub‐pellicle network in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Cao Shinuo , Chen Heming , Liang Xiaohan , Fu Jiawen , Wang Shida , Zheng Jun , Zhang Zhaoxia , Pang Yu , Wang Jingfei , Shen Bang , Jia Honglin 
Published: October 2019

SummaryPost‐Golgi vesicle trafficking is indispensable for precise movement of proteins to the pellicle, the sub‐pellicle network and apical secretory organelles in Apicomplexa. However, only a small number of molecular complexes involved in trafficking, tethering and fusion of vesicles have been identified in Toxoplasma gondii. Consequently, it is unclear how complicated vesicle trafficking is accomplished in this parasite. Sec1/Munc18‐like (SM) proteins are essential components of protein complexes involved in vesicle fusion. Here, we found that depletion of the SM protein TgSec1 using an auxin‐inducible degron‐based conditional knockout strategy led to mislocalization of plasma membrane proteins. By contrast, conditional depletion of the SM protein TgVps45 led to morphological changes, asymmetrical loss of the inner membrane complex and defects in nucleation of sub‐pellicular microtubules, polarization and symmetrical assembly of daughter parasites during repeated endodyogeny. TgVps45 interacts with the SNARE protein TgStx16 and TgVAMP4‐1. Conditional ablation of TgStx16 causes the similar growth defect like TgVps45 deficiency suggested they work together for the vesicle fusion at TGN. These findings indicate that these two SM proteins are crucial for assembly of pellicle and sub‐pellicle network in T. gondii respectively.
Influence of the phosphoenolpyruvate:carbohydrate phosphotransferase system on toxin gene expression and virulence in Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Bier Naomi , Hammerstrom Troy G. , Koehler Theresa M. 
Published: October 2019

SummaryAtxA, the master virulence gene regulator of Bacillus anthracis, is a PRD‐Containing Virulence Regulator (PCVR) as indicated by the crystal structure, post‐translational modifications and activity of the protein. PCVRs are transcriptional regulators, named for PTS Regulatory Domains (PRDs) subject to phosphorylation by the phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system (PEP‐PTS) and for their impact on virulence gene expression. Here we present data from experiments employing physiological, genetic and biochemical approaches that support a model in which the PTS proteins HPr and Enzyme I (EI) are required for transcription of the atxA gene, rather than phosphorylation of AtxA. We show that atxA transcription is reduced 2.5‐fold in a mutant lacking HPr and EI, and that this change is sufficient to affect anthrax toxin production. Mutants harboring HPr proteins altered for phosphotransfer activity were unable to restore atxA transcription to parent levels, suggesting that phosphotransfer activity of HPr and EI is important for regulation of atxA. In a mouse model for anthrax, a HPr– EI– mutant was attenuated for virulence. Virulence was restored by expressing atxA from an alternative, PTS‐independent, promoter. Our data support a model in which HPr transfers a phosphate to an unidentified downstream transcriptional regulator to influence atxA gene transcription.
The two solitudes of Canadian nativism: Explaining the absence of a competitive anti‐immigration party in Canada
Authors: Gordon Joshua , Jeram Sanjay , van der Linden Clifton 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCanada has been celebrated in popular and academic work for its relative immunity to nativist populism. No competitive nativist party has recently emerged in federal politics that challenges the mainstream consensus around mass immigration, unlike virtually every other postindustrial democracy. This paper argues that existing explanations for this “exceptionalism” are lacking. In particular, they fail to appreciate the importance of Quebec nationalism in contributing to this outcome. Quebec nationalism fractured the stronger anti‐immigration sentiment found in rural and smaller urban areas in both Quebec and Anglophone Canada and thereby prevented right‐wing parties from mobilising that sentiment in a way that could feasibly win elections. This forced such parties to moderate their message and court “ethnic voters” in suburban ridings around Toronto and Vancouver. We illustrate this argument using novel data which permit a comparison of the Canadian experience with nativist politics in Australia and New Zealand.