bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quercetin attenuates H2O2‐induced toxicity of rooster semen during liquid storage at 4°C
Authors: Ghaniei Abolfazl , Eslami Mohsen , Zadeh Hashem Elham , Rezapour Reza , Talebi Alireza 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCurrent study was carried out to examine the protective effects of quercetin against toxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide in rooster semen in vitro. Semen samples were collected from ten roosters (Ross 308 broiler breeder males, 32 weeks old) twice a week by abdominal massage method. Samples with ≥70% progressive motility were selected, pooled, diluted and used for the study. Experimental groups consisted of negative control, control that received solvent of quercetin, H2O2 (40 μM) and combination groups which incubated with constant dose of H2O2 (40 μM) plus various levels of quercetin (20, 40 and 80 μM). Measurement of total hydroperoxide (HPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase activity as well as routine sperm tests were done at 0, 24 and 48 hr of storage at 4°C. Results revealed that exposure to hydrogen peroxide significantly increased HPO (138.43 ± 7.32 vs. 66.08 ± 3.97 μmol/g protein), MDA (7.21 ± 0.08 vs. 5.71 ± 2.16 μmol/g protein) and NO (0.367 ± 0.013 vs. 0.215 ± 0.011 μmol/g protein) levels and decreased sperm progressive motility (27.28 ± 1.21 vs. 47.49 ± 1.29%), and amounts of TAC (11.49 ± 0.39 vs. 15.70 ± 0.79 mmol/g protein) compared to control at 24 hr (p < 0.05). Changes at mentioned variables were repeated at 48 hr of storage. Also, co‐administration of quercetin (especially at 40 and 80 μM) with hydrogen peroxide restored the toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide on rooster semen parameters such as primary and secondary lipid peroxidative indicators and other evaluated variables. The study concluded that rooster semen enrichment with quercetin would protect lipid peroxidative and nitrosative hydrogen peroxide‐mediated damage during cold liquid storage of rooster semen.
Colour variation between different lineages of a colour polymorphic lizard
Authors: Pérez i de Lanuza G. , Bellati A. , Pellitteri‐Rosa D. , Font E. , Carretero M. A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractColour polymorphic animals offer useful models to study the evolution of polymorphisms and studies with colour polymorphic lizards have contributed many advances in this field. Unfortunately, few studies address basic questions such as how observers (e.g. conspecifics) perceive the polymorphism or whether there is chromatic variability among evolutionary lineages or distant geographic areas within a species' range. The common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) shows a striking colour polymorphism in its ventral surface, presenting up to five alternative colour morphs, that is white, yellow and orange/red (depending on the lineage), and two intermediate mosaic morphs: white‐orange and yellow‐orange. Here we compare this polymorphism in two geographically distant areas, the Po valley (Northern Italy) and the Eastern Pyrenees (Iberian Peninsula), corresponding to separate phylogeographic lineages. Using objective techniques of colour measurement and lizard vision models, we examine the chromatic differences between these two polymorphic lineages. We also search for chromatic differences in other colour traits present in P. muralis: the cryptic dorsal coloration and the ultraviolet‐blue spots of the outer ventral scales (UV‐blue OVS) used for intraspecific communication. Although we detected significant differences among lineages in colour variables, the main variation was found between the alternative ventral colour morphs. The most striking inter‐lineage divergence was between the orange Pyrenean morph and the red Italian morph, mainly caused by achromatic (but not chromatic) differences. In addition, although the UV‐blue OVS show strong chromatic and achromatic variation between lineages, the dorsal coloration shows the smallest degree of variation, and mainly between localities rather than lineages. Overall, the ventral colour pattern of P. muralis is shared by at least two geographically and phylogenetically distant lineages. Nevertheless, body coloration also shows signs of historical divergence (Pyrenean orange vs. Italian red) and local adaptation (mainly in the dorsal pattern).
Antiherbivore protection and plant selection by the lynx spider Peucetia flava (Araneae: Oxyopidae) in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: de Sousa‐Lopes B. , Alves‐da‐Silva N. , Alves‐Martins F. , Del‐Claro K. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSpiders are ubiquitous in most vegetation, however very little empirical data are available on specific spider–plant interactions and their reciprocal outcomes. In the Brazilian Cerrado, the plant Mimosa setosa var. paludosa, (Fabaceae) has glandular trichomes in its leaves and stems, commonly entrapping insects (i.e. carrion) as well as hosting the lynx spider, Peucetia flava. We hypothesized that: (1) the damage inflicted by exophytic (leaves) and endophytic (seeds) herbivore insects that overcome the glandular trichomes is lower in plants where the lynx spider is present; and (2) the presence of this predator is positively related to food availability (live insects and/or carrion) and plant size. We performed field observations and an experimental field study in terms of the spider's presence versus absence on the Fabaceae plants. Our results showed that the proportion of damaged foliolules on the Fabaceae plants differed between the spiders‐present and spiders‐absent treatments, and that the absence of spiders led to a 3.3‐fold increase in the number of damaged foliolules. However, there was no significant difference in the proportion of seeds taken by endophytic herbivores from branches with and without spiders. We also found that the presence of Peucetia flava was positively related to the presence of entrapped carrion on plants, and that there was a positive and marginally significant effect of increasing abundance of the spiders on taller plants. The results of this study suggest that it is more common to find lynx spiders interacting with M. setosa var. paludosa in larger plants with higher carrion abundance (food source), and that P. flava and M. setosa var. paludosa interact in a facultative mutualism, in which plants provide entrapped carrion for spiders to feed on and possibly facilitate prey manipulation. In return, lynx spiders decrease the damage inflicted by exophytic, but not by endophytic herbivores. These results also contribute to a better understanding of which ecological factors may affect plant selection by lynx spiders and what the influence of this predator is on the structure of food webs in glandular plants.
A rational asset pricing model for premiums and discounts on closed‐end funds: The bubble theory
Authors: Jarrow Robert , Protter Philip 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis paper provides a new explanation for closed‐end fund (CEF) discounts and premiums using the local martingale theory of asset price bubbles. This is a rational asset pricing model that is shown to be consistent with the existing empirical evidence on CEF discounts/premiums. Additional testable implications of the model are derived, which await subsequent research for their resolution. This bubble theory also applies equally well to understanding discounts and premiums on exchange traded funds.
Introduction: Human Animal Health in Medical Anthropology
Authors: Brown Hannah , Nading Alex M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis introductory article maps out the parameters of an emerging field of medical anthropology, human animal health, and its potential for reorienting the discipline. Ethnographic explorations of how animals are implicated in health, well‐being, and pathogenicity allow us to revisit theorizations of central topics in medical anthropology, notably ecology, biopolitics, and care. Meanwhile, the conditions of the Anthropocene force us to develop new tools to think about human animal entanglement. Anthropogenic change reorients debates around health and disease, but it also requires us to move beyond what some consider the traditional boundaries of the discipline. Zoonotic diseases, veterinary medicine, animal therapeutics, and food and farming are examples of topics that force such movement.
Local endoreduplication as a feature of intracellular fungal accommodation in arbuscular mycorrhizas
Authors: Carotenuto Gennaro , Volpe Veronica , Russo Giulia , Politi Mara , Sciascia Ivan , de Almeida‐Engler Janice , Genre Andrea 
Published: February 2019

Summary

The intracellular accommodation of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is a paradigmatic feature of this plant symbiosis that depends on the activation of a dedicated signaling pathway and the extensive reprogramming of host cells, including striking changes in nuclear size and transcriptional activity.

By combining targeted sampling of early root colonization sites, detailed confocal imaging, flow cytometry and gene expression analyses, we demonstrate that local, recursive events of endoreduplication are triggered in the Medicago truncatula root cortex during AM colonization.

AM colonization induces an increase in ploidy levels and the activation of endocycle specific markers. This response anticipates the progression of fungal colonization and is limited to arbusculated and neighboring cells in the cortical tissue. Furthermore, endoreduplication is not induced in M. truncatula mutants for symbiotic signaling pathway genes.

On this basis, we propose endoreduplication as part of the host cell prepenetration responses that anticipate AM fungal accommodation in the root cortex.
Embryonic and postnatal tendon cells respond differently to interleukin‐1β
Authors: Li Jiewen , Stoppato Matteo , Schiele Nathan R. , Graybeal Kaori L. , Nguyen Phong K. , Kuo Catherine K. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAdult tendons heal as scar tissue, whereas embryonic tendons heal scarlessly via unknown mechanisms. Scarred tendon healing results from inflammation‐driven imbalances in anabolic and catabolic functions. To test scarless versus scarring age tendon cell responses to inflammatory conditions, we treated embryonic and postnatal tendon cells with interleukin (IL)‐1β and characterized expression of collagens, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), inflammatory mediators, and phosphorylation of signaling molecules. At baseline, postnatal cells expressed significantly higher levels of inflammatory mediators. When treated with IL‐1β, both postnatal and embryonic cells upregulated inflammatory mediators and MMPs. Notably, postnatal cells secreted inflammatory factors up to 12.5 times the concentration in embryonic cultures. IL‐1β activated NF‐κB p65 and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in both cell types, but phosphorylated p38 MAPK levels were two times higher in postnatal than embryonic cells. Our results suggest that scarred healing tendon cells respond to proinflammatory cytokines by promoting an imbalance in anabolic and catabolic functions, and that the heightened response involves p38 MAPK signaling activity. In contrast, embryonic cell responses are smaller in magnitude. These intriguing findings support a potential role for tendon cells in determining scarless versus scarred healing outcomes by regulating the balance between anabolic and catabolic functions during tendon healing.
Effects of different pharmacologic smoking cessation treatments on body weight changes and success rates in patients with nicotine dependence: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Hsieh Meng‐Tsang , Tseng Ping‐Tao , Wu Yi‐Cheng , Tu Yu‐Kang , Wu Hung‐Chi , Hsu Chih‐Wei , Lei Wei‐Te , Stubbs Brendon , Carvalho Andre F. , Liang Chih‐Sung , Yeh Ta‐Chuan , Chen Tien‐Yu , Chu Che‐Sheng , Li Juo‐Chi , Yu Chia‐Ling , Chen Yen‐Wen , Li Dian‐Jeng 
Published: February 2019

SummarySmoking cessation is a public health priority to reduce smoking‐related morbidity and mortality. However, weight gain is a known primary reason for not trying to quit smoking. The aim of the current study was to investigate differences in weight gain associated with different pharmacological smoking cessation interventions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported weight gain related to pharmacologic treatments for smoking cessation were analysed using network meta‐analysis with a random effects model. Thirty‐one RCTs with 5650 participants were included. Ten drugs and 22 regimens were identified. Nicotine patches plus fluoxetine, topiramate with/without nicotine patches, nicotine patches plus methylphenidate, nicotine spray/gum/lozenges, high‐dose nicotine patches (42 mg/21 mg), naltrexone with/without nicotine patches, or bupropion with/without nicotine patches were associated with less weight gain than the placebo/control arm. Nicotine patches plus fluoxetine were associated with the least weight gain of all smoking cessation treatments. In addition, the nicotine patch plus topiramate and nicotine inhaler was associated with the best success rate and the least dropout rate, respectively. Overall, the nicotine patch 14 mg plus fluoxetine 40 mg, nicotine patch 14 mg plus fluoxetine 20 mg, and topiramate 200 mg would be the three best pharmacologic treatments based upon both weight gain effect and success rate.
Methodological Considerations in the Statistical Modeling of Catastrophe Bond Prices
Authors: Major John A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe problem of specifying and fitting a statistical model of the pricing of property catastrophe risk is addressed from a methodological perspective. Notable 21st century published efforts to do this are reviewed. The problem is framed in a business context and various strategic and tactical issues are investigated. A naïve application of ordinary least squares regression is seen to have undesirable consequences. Alternative approaches are offered, including weighted least squares with weights inversely proportional to capital requirements, and alternative functional forms. Recommendations are offered.
Mediatization: Conceptual developments and research domains
Authors: Nowak‐Teter Ewa 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMediatization is nowadays considered an influential theory explaining societal, political, and cultural alterations driven by media technologies. Mediatization research, initiated almost 20 years ago (with its precursory ideas placed in the first half of the 20th century), witnesses at present dynamic theoretical, methodological, and empirical developments, obtaining a status as one of the most essential and ambitious research fields within the social sciences. Mediatization theory deals with (meta)process in which media communication is becoming increasingly complex, takes place more often, covers a growing number of topics, and lasts longer. The goal of this study is to contribute to our understanding of mediatization as well as to make the theory more familiar to non‐media scholars by presenting the state of the art and the most promising research lines of scientific inquiry. Starting from conceptualization and operationalization, we also aim to sketch the dimensions, fields, and forms of mediatization as well as to present examples of different domains where mediatization is most advanced, that is, mediatization of culture, society, and politics, or most promising, that is, mediatization of journalism.
Police militarization in theUnited States
Authors: Steidley Trent , Ramey David M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn 2014, police responses to protests and riots in Ferguson, Missouri, prompted an unprecedented level of news coverage on the phenomenon of police militarization. Though the increased attention to police militarization and governmental programs thought to facilitate it (e.g., the 1033 Program) may give the impression that police militarization is a recent phenomena, social scientists have been documenting trends in police militarization for decades. This article provides an overview of the social science research literature on police militarization, starting with a discussion of a theory informed conceptualization of police militarization. We next discuss the major normative debates that have guided research on police militarization. We then review the empirical literature that focuses on the methodological approaches and findings of extant work on police militarization. Finally, we close with an overview of the state of the literature and suggestions for future research. Our major suggestion for future work is to consider the dimensions of police work that police militarization can occur in while continuing to engage with the normative debates of previous scholars so as to improve the overall quality of police work and public safety in the United States.
Economic Inequality and Campaign Participation*
Authors: Ritter Michael , Solt Frederick 
Published: February 2019

ObjectiveHow does economic inequality shape participation in political campaigns? Previous research has found that higher inequality makes people of all incomes less likely to participate in politics, consistent with relative power theory, which holds that greater inequality enables wealthier citizens to more fully reshape the political landscape to their own advantage. Campaign activities, however, demand more time and money than previously examined forms of participation and so might better conform to the predictions of resource theory, which focuses narrowly on the ramifications of inequality for individuals’ resources.MethodsWe combine individual‐level data on donations, meeting attendance, and volunteer work for political campaigns with measures of state‐level income inequality to construct a series of multilevel models.ResultsThe analyses reveal that, where inequality is higher, campaign participation is lower among individuals of all incomes.ConclusionsPatterns of participation in even resource‐intensive campaign activities provide support for the relative power theory.
Determinants of blood donation willingness in the European Union: a cross‐country perspective on perceived transfusion safety, concerns, and incentives
Authors: Huis in ‘t Veld Elisabeth M.J. , de Kort Wim L.A.M. , Merz Eva‐Maria 
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUNDWillingness to donate blood depends on personal characteristics, beliefs, and motivations, but also on the cultural context. The aim of this study was to examine whether willingness to donate blood is associated with attitudes toward blood transfusion, personal motivators, and incentives and whether these factors vary across countries in the European Union (EU).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThe sample consisted of 27,868 participants, from 28 EU member states, who were interviewed about blood donation and transfusion‐related issues for the 2014 round of the Eurobarometer, a country‐comparative survey, collected on behalf of the European Commission. Participants were asked whether they would be willing to donate blood and for which reasons (motivators) and which incentives are appropriate to receive in return for a blood donation.RESULTSWillingness to donate varied significantly across countries and was positively associated with perceived blood transfusion safety. Furthermore, helping family or people in need were the most powerful motivators for blood donation willingness in almost all countries. In contrast, the number of participants who were willing to donate to alleviate shortages or to contribute to research varied widely across countries. The wish to receive certain incentives, however, did not seem to be related to willingness to donate.CONCLUSIONPerceived blood transfusion safety and personal motivations may be stronger determinants of willingness to donate than receiving certain incentives. EU‐wide strategies and guidelines for donor recruitment and retention should take both overall and country‐specific patterns into account. For example, education on the importance of donation could be considered.
Bacterial contamination of slit lamps in veterinary ophthalmology
Authors: Casola Christina , Winter‐Kempf Evelyne , Voelter Katrin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPurposeHealthcare‐associated infection (HAI) is a well‐known problem in human medicine. The contamination of medical devices with pathogenic organisms is less studied in veterinary medicine. The purpose of this multicenter study was to evaluate the bacterial contamination of slit lamps throughout Europe and part of the United States. The efficacy of standard cleaning was additionally investigated.MethodsSamples from adjustment wheels of slit lamps were taken by different veterinary ophthalmologists and submitted for culture (n = 29). The efficacy of cleaning protocols was evaluated by taking a second sample after routine cleaning (n = 29). Sensitivity testing was performed for pathogenic bacteria using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) or disc diffusion (Kirby‐Bauer) method. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test.ResultsSeventeen of 29 slit lamps were contaminated before cleaning. The most frequently cultured bacteria were Staphylococcus spp. and coliform bacteria. Twelve of 29 slit lamps showed no bacterial growth before and after cleaning. There was a significant difference before and after cleaning (P = 0.0008), with only 4/29 contaminated samples after cleaning.ConclusionContamination with pathogenic bacterial species is frequent in slit lamps used by veterinary ophthalmologists. A risk of cross‐contamination in clinical patients has to be considered. Routine cleaning reduces bacterial contamination significantly.
Cluster randomised controlled trial of a guided self-help mental health intervention in primary care
Authors: Mathieson Fiona , Stanley James , Collings Catherine (Sunny) , Tester Rachel , Dowell Anthony 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesTo ascertain whether an ultrabrief intervention (UBI) improves mental health outcomes for patients in general practice with mild-to-moderate mental health concerns.Trial designTwo-arm cluster randomised controlled trial.MethodsParticipants: general practitioners (GPs) were invited based on working in a participating general practice. Patients were eligible to participate if aged 18–65 years, scored ≤35 on the Kessler-10 (K10) and if meeting local mental health access criteria (based on age, low income or ethnic group).Interventions: intervention arm GPs were trained on the UBI approach, with participating patients receiving three structured appointments over 5 weeks. GPs randomised to practice as usual (PAU) did not receive training, and delivered support following their existing practice approaches.Outcome measures: primary outcome was patient-level K10 score at 6 months postrecruitment.Randomisation: GP practices were randomised to UBI training or PAU at the start of the study.Blinding: GPs were not blinded to group assignment.ResultsNumbers randomised: 62 GPs (recruiting 85 patients) were randomised to UBI, and 50 to PAU (recruiting 75 patients).Numbers analysed: 31 GPs recruited at least one patient in the UBI arm (70 patients analysed), and 21 GPs recruited at least one patient in the PAU arm (69 patients analysed).Outcome: K10 scores from an intention-to-treat analysis were similar in UBI and PAU arms, with a wide CI (mean adjusted K10 difference=1.68 points higher in UBI arm, 95% CI −1.18 to 4.55; p=0.255). Secondary outcomes were also similar in the two groups.Conclusions: the UBI intervention did not lead to better outcomes than practice as usual, although the study had lower than planned power due to poor recruitment. The study results can still contribute to the continuing debate about brief psychological therapy options for primary care and their development.Trial registration numberACTRN12613000041752; Pre-results.