bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Editorial Perspective: Antidepressants and the depressed adolescent
Authors: Goodyer Ian M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA paper considering the role of antidepressants for adults with major depression was recently published in the Lancet, a world leading medical journal (Cipriani et al. 2018). The review was the largest ever on this topic based on 28,552 citations including 522 trials comprising 116,477 participants. The authors note that, in adults with major depression, all antidepressants were more efficacious than placebo. In head‐to‐head studies, the authors also note that agomelatine, amitriptyline, escitalopram, mirtazapine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and vortioxetine were more effective than other antidepressants whereas fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, reboxetine, and trazodone were the least efficacious. The authors report that the standardised mean difference was 0.3 a moderate effect size for any antidepressant over placebo, this is confirmatory of past reviews noting rather similar magnitudes of effect. In clinical terms the results suggest a choice for practitioners in regard to their individual patients. For many adult depressed patients however, there is also the implication that antidepressants may not work. The old adage ‘what works for whom’ remains unanswered. What does seem reasonable to conclude is that we have learnt that these medications are clinically effective and the questions for research now must be who is likely to benefit and who is not, how do these medicines work, and what is the best long‐term management of responders as the majority of studies have focused on acute response only.
Comparative analysis of immune cell subsets in peripheral blood from patients with periodontal disease and healthy controls
Authors: Cheng W-C , Saleh F , Abuaisha Karim B , Hughes F J , Taams L S 
Published: August 2018

Summary
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by the colonization of teeth by the bacterial plaque biofilm and the resultant host immune responses in adjacent periodontal tissues. Disease severity can vary dramatically between patients with periodontitis, with some subjects displaying inflammation without bony destruction (gingivitis), while others experience chronic progressive or rapidly aggressive gingival connective tissue damage and bone loss. To determine whether peripheral immune dysregulation is associated with periodontitis, we performed extensive analysis of immune cell subsets in peripheral blood from patients with chronic or aggressive periodontitis versus periodontally healthy control subjects. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with chronic periodontitis or aggressive periodontitis and from periodontally healthy controls were analysed by 8–10-colour flow cytometry for the frequencies of various lymphocyte subsets, including interleukin (IL)-17-, interferon (IFN)-γ-, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α- and IL-10-producing cells, and the frequencies and phenotype of monocytes. Cytokine levels in serum from the different groups were determined by Luminex assay. We found no significant differences in the frequencies of major immune cell populations [CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, γδ T cells, CD4+CD45RO+CD25+CD127low regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD19+ B cells, CD14+ monocytes] or of cytokine-producing T cells, or in the phenotype of CD14+ monocytes in peripheral blood from these patient cohorts. Additionally, no significant differences were observed in serum levels of prototypical inflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that the local gingival inflammatory response is not reflected by obvious changes in major blood immune cell subset frequencies.
The future of CIS and CEE countries
Authors: Becker Torbjörn , Schweiger Helena , Livshits Igor , Bakker Bas B. , Mylovanov Tymofiy 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis article is based on a panel discussion on the future of transition countries 25 years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. All the contributors have long professional and personal experience of various aspects of the transition process so far and provide different perspectives on what to expect for the region in the future. However, the need for continued reform in many areas of the respective economies are highlighted to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth in the future. A continued focus on enhancing productivity is the key to future economic success. Investments in human and physical capital need to be complemented with strengthening the fundamental institutions that make such investments possible and desirable for all relevant stakeholders. It will not be an easy reform process, but the alternatives are much less desirable for the vast majority of people in these countries.
The parasitic fly Nemorilla maculosa exploits host‐plant volatiles to locate the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata
Authors: Agbessenou Ayaovi , Tounou Agbéko Kodjo , Dannon Elie Ayitondji , Datinon Benjamin , Agboton Cyriaque , Ramasamy Srinivasan , Pittendrigh Barry Robert , Tamò Manuele 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNemorilla maculosa Meigen (Diptera: Tachinidae) is a solitary endoparasitoid of the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a key pest of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Fabaceae) in Africa. A colony of N. maculosa, introduced for experimental purposes from Taiwan to the laboratories of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Benin, was used for our studies. Olfactory reponses of N. maculosa to leaves of infested or uninfested cowpea and yellow peabush, Sesbania cannabina (Retz.) Pers. (Fabaceae), and to M. vitrata larvae were evaluated in a four‐arm olfactometer. For all combinations of odor sources, responses between naïve and oviposition‐experienced female flies did not differ. Nemorilla maculosa females were attracted by odors from uninfested leaves of yellow peabush and flowers of cowpea when compared with clean air, and they were attracted to plants damaged by M. vitrata with larvae removed. However, the female fly did not discriminate between odors from infested and uninfested plants. The parasitic fly N. maculosa proved well able to use volatile compounds from various host plants (peabush and cowpea) to locate its host, with a more pronounced attraction by the combination of host larvae and infested host plant parts. These findings are discussed in light of the prospective use of N. maculosa as a biological control agent against the legume pod borer.
Mitral cells and the glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor: The sweet smell of success?
Authors: Bagnoli Enrico , FitzGerald Una 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe olfactory bulb (OB) is often affected at very early stages of neurodegenerative disorders, in the so‐called “prodromal” phase. In Parkinson's disease (PD), olfactory disturbances appear years before motor symptoms arise. Additionally, pathological alpha‐synuclein aggregates are found in olfactory regions before spreading to other areas of the brain. Being positioned at the frontier between the brain and a potentially hostile environment, could explain the particular vulnerability of the OB. Mitral cells (MCs), the principal projecting neurons of the olfactory system, are involved in the pathogenesis and in the prion‐like progression of PD. They are affected by Lewy pathology and are thought to contribute to the axonal transport of misfolded alpha‐synuclein to other regions of the brain. Here, we first describe the main markers reported to distinguish MCs from other olfactory neurons. We focus on the glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor (GLP‐1R), a membrane protein specifically expressed in MCs. After summarizing OB pathology, we explore the idea of targeting specifically MCs with GLP‐1 or its analogues. Exenatide has shown great promise as a neuroprotective and neurorestorative agent and has been used in a clinical trial for clinical PD. Since GLP‐1R activation has the ability to mitigate many facets of prodromal PD pathology, we postulate that once a robust biomarker is in place that is capable of identifying individuals in the prodromal phase of PD, homing in on GLP‐1R could assist in deferring, or eradicating to a significant degree, the clinical manifestation of this debilitating human disorder.
Pore detection in 3‐D CT soil samples through an improved sub‐segmentation method
Authors: Ojeda‐Magaña B. , Quintanilla Domínguez J. , Ruelas R. , Martín‐Sotoca J. J. , Tarquis A. M. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryX‐ray computer tomography (CT) is a non‐invasive technique for image acquisition. Recent technological advances have enabled reliable and high‐resolution images to be obtained. In soil samples, for example, this subserves the identification of pores and their structure and the analysis of their geometric characteristics. However, the lack of contrast between pores and solids in soil samples makes it difficult to identify the pores, and it poses problems for their connectivity when a three‐dimensional (3‐D) reconstruction is made from a group of consecutive 2‐D images obtained with a scanner. To solve this problem, an improved sub‐segmentation method, which had been developed and tested previously, was applied in this research to achieve a better identification of the pore space and consequently the solid space in the 2‐D slices of the image, followed by a 3‐D reconstruction of the soil sample. In this study, two soil samples were used, one real soil sample with 255 2‐D CT consecutive images and a synthetic image with 215 2‐D images. The latter sample was used only to evaluate the robustness of the improved sub‐segmentation method and the results from analysis of the pore connectivity in a known structure. The results obtained with the improved sub‐segmentation were compared with those of traditional clustering algorithms for image segmentation by k‐means, fuzzy c‐means and Otsu's methods. The results were promising, and the 3‐D reconstruction presents a realistic structure for the continuity and coincidence of the shapes of the pores in the consecutive images. In addition, the pore regions detected have a small non‐uniformity (NU) value, which indicates both good pore detection and homogeneity, which facilitates pore connectivity between the different 2‐D images.HighlightsPore structure is not disturbed by the acquisition of images with computer tomography.
Pore spaces were identified properly with the improved sub‐segmentation.
Pore continuity by position, size and shape was observed through the 2‐D consecutive images.
Realistic 3‐D reconstruction was feasible for the pore spaces in soil samples.
Role of IL‐17A receptor blocking in melanocyte survival: A strategic intervention against vitiligo
Authors: Bhardwaj Supriya , Bhatia Alka , Kumaran Muthu Sendhil , Parsad Davinder 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCytokines regulate immune response and inflammation and play an important role in depigmentation process of an autoimmune disease, vitiligo. We sought to determine how inflammatory cytokines influence the progression of vitiligo, and based on that, we develop a logical therapeutic intervention using primary melanocyte culture. Melanocytes were cultured and exposed to IL‐17A, IL‐1β, IFN‐γ and TGF‐β for 4 days. Melanocytes proliferation, tyrosinase assay and melanin content were measured. Real‐Time PCR was used to analyse mRNA expression of genes specific for melanocytes growth and pigmentation. Anti‐IL‐17A receptor antibody was used to block IL‐17A receptors expressed on melanocytes. Protein expression of MITF and TYR was assessed by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. A gradual decline in the melanocyte population, melanin content and tyrosinase activity was observed after different cytokine treatment. The expression of MITF and its downstream genes after blocking with anti‐IL‐17RA, an increased melanin content, increased expression of TYR, MITF along with its downstream genes, and cell proliferation was observed.
Warming enhances sedimentation and decomposition of organic carbon in shallow macrophyte‐dominated systems with zero net effect on carbon burial
Authors: Velthuis Mandy , Kosten Sarian , Aben Ralf , Kazanjian Garabet , Hilt Sabine , Peeters Edwin T. H. M. , van Donk Ellen , Bakker Elisabeth S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTemperatures have been rising throughout recent decades and are predicted to rise further in the coming century. Global warming affects carbon cycling in freshwater ecosystems, which both emit and bury substantial amounts of carbon on a global scale. Currently, most studies focus on the effect of warming on overall carbon emissions from freshwater ecosystems, while net effects on carbon budgets may strongly depend on burial in sediments. Here, we tested whether year‐round warming increases the production, sedimentation, or decomposition of particulate organic carbon and eventually alters the carbon burial in a typical shallow freshwater system. We performed an indoor experiment in eight mesocosms dominated by the common submerged aquatic plant Myriophyllum spicatum testing two temperature treatments: a temperate seasonal temperature control and a warmed (+4°C) treatment (n = 4). During a full experimental year, the carbon stock in plant biomass, dissolved organic carbon in the water column, sedimented organic matter, and decomposition of plant detritus were measured. Our results showed that year‐round warming nearly doubled the final carbon stock in plant biomass from 6.9 ± 1.1 g C in the control treatment to 12.8 ± 0.6 g C (mean ± SE), mainly due to a prolonged growing season in autumn. DOC concentrations did not differ between the treatments, but organic carbon sedimentation increased by 60% from 96 ± 9.6 to 152 ± 16 g C m−2 yaer−1 (mean ± SE) from control to warm treatments. Enhanced decomposition of plant detritus in the warm treatment, however, compensated for the increased sedimentation. As a result, net carbon burial was 40 ± 5.7 g C m−2 year−1 in both temperature treatments when fluxes were combined into a carbon budget model. These results indicate that warming can increase the turnover of organic carbon in shallow macrophyte‐dominated systems, while not necessarily affecting net carbon burial on a system scale.
The response of the marine nitrogen cycle to ocean acidification
Authors: Wannicke Nicola , Frey Claudia , Law Cliff S. , Voss Maren 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOcean acidification (OA), arising from the influx of anthropogenically generated carbon, poses a massive threat to the ocean ecosystems. Our knowledge of the effects of elevated anthropogenic CO2 in marine waters and its effect on the performance of single species, trophic interactions, and ecosystems is increasing rapidly. However, our understanding of the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients such as nitrogen is less advanced and lacks a comprehensive overview of how these processes may change under OA. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of eight major nitrogen transformation processes incorporating 49 publications to synthesize current scientific understanding of the effect of OA on nitrogen cycling in the future ocean by 2100. The following points were identified by our meta‐analysis: (a) Diazotrophic nitrogen fixation is likely enhanced by 29% ± 4% under OA; (b) species‐ and strain‐specific responses of nitrogen fixers to OA were detectable, which may result in alterations in microbial community composition in the future ocean; (c) nitrification processes were reduced by a factor of 29% ± 10%; (d) declines in nitrification rates were not reflected by nitrifier abundance; and (e) contrasting results in unispecific culture experiments versus natural communities were apparent for nitrogen fixation and denitrification. The net effect of the nitrogen cycle process responses also suggests there may be a shift in the relative nitrogen pools, with excess ammonium originating from CO2‐fertilized diazotrophs. This regenerated inorganic nitrogen may recycle in the upper water column increasing the relative importance of the ammonium‐fueled regenerated production. However, several feedback mechanisms with other chemical cycles, such as oxygen, and interaction with other climate change stressors may counteract these findings. Finally, our review highlights the shortcomings and gaps in current understanding of the potential changes in nitrogen cycling under future climate and emphasizes the need for further ecosystem studies.
A cross‐sectional survey of mental health service users’, carers’ and professionals’ priorities for patient safety in the United Kingdom
Authors: Berzins Kathryn , Baker John , Brown Mark , Lawton Rebecca 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundEstablishing patient safety priorities in psychiatry has received less international attention than in other areas of health care. This study aimed to identify safety issues as described by people in the United Kingdom identifying as mental health service users, carers and professionals.MethodsA cross‐sectional online survey was distributed via social media. Identified safety issues were mapped onto the Yorkshire Contributory Factors Framework (YCFF) which categorizes factors that contribute to patient safety incidents in general hospital settings. Service user and carer responses were described separately from professional responses using descriptive statistics.ResultsOne hundred and eighty‐five responses from 95 service users and carers and 90 professionals were analysed. Seventy different safety issues were identified. These were mapped onto the 17 existing categories of the YCFF and two additional categories created to form the YCFF‐MH. Most frequently identified issues were as follows: “Individual characteristics” (of staff) which included competence and listening skills; “Service process” that contained concerns about waiting times; “Management of staff and staffing levels” dominated by staffing levels; and “External policy context” which included the overall resourcing of services. Professionals identified staffing levels and inadequate community provision more frequently than service users and carers, who in turn identified crisis care more frequently.ConclusionsThis study updates knowledge on stakeholder perceived safety issues across mental health care. It shows a far broader range of issues relating to safety than has previously been described. The YCFF was successfully modified to describe these issues and areas for further coproduced research are suggested.
Effects of particle size and briquetting of soda‐lime‐silicate glass batch on viscosity during batch‐to‐melt conversion
Authors: Doi Yoji , Yano Tetsuji , McCarthy Benjamin P. , Schweiger Michael J. , Hrma Pavel 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTo assess the effects of grain size and briquetting on glass‐batch melting, we measured the viscosity (ηb) of an industrial glass batch during its conversion to molten simulated architectural glass within the temperature interval of 1050‐1300°C and at a shear rate of 0.02 s−1. On the basis of the mass fraction of undissolved sand (xs), which was determined using X‐ray diffraction analysis on quenched batch samples, and the gas‐phase fraction (ϕp), which was obtained from volumetric measurements, we established the relationship ln(ηb/ηm) = a0 + bsxs + apϕp, where ηm is the transition melt viscosity, a0 is the melt homogeneity coefficient, bs is the coefficient for undissolved sand, and ap is the coefficient for bubbles. The obtained values, bs = 8.756 and ap = 0.658, indicate that undissolved silica sand strongly influences batch viscosity. Consequently, compared with coarse‐grained batches, fine raw materials and briquetting resulted in lower batch viscosity during conversion. Owing to their lower viscosities and higher heat conductivities, batches from finer raw materials or batches shaped into briquettes are expected to enhance the melting rate of batch blankets in industrial glass‐melting furnaces.
Effect of consumer self‐confidence on information search and dissemination: Mediating role of subjective knowledge
Authors: Utkarsh  , Sangwan Sunanda , Agarwal Pallavi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractConsumers search for information about products to make a satisfactory purchase decision and gain knowledge about new features and updates. Consumers also use this knowledge to be vocal about their product experience because several consumers seek interpersonal recommendations. This phenomenon has contributed to the emergence of information search (IS) and information dissemination (ID) as a key research area in the field of consumer behaviour. However, the role of personal factors such as consumer self‐confidence and subjective knowledge has received little attention in the extant IS and ID literature. The major argument of this study is that information acquisition confidence and social outcome confidence enhance subjective knowledge and consequently increase the will of consumers to search and disseminate information in the context of smartphone buyers in India. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the proposed hypotheses using a convenience sample of 259 consumers obtained through a cross‐sectional survey. The study shows that subjective knowledge is crucial in strengthening the association between consumer self‐confidence and consumer intention for IS and ID. Additionally, enhancing consumer’s social outcome confidence contributes towards high subjective knowledge and consequently accelerates information dissemination. Results suggest that firms could focus on enhancing the social outcome confidence and subjective knowledge of consumers to motivate them to disseminate information. The results also show that consumers with high confidence in information acquisition ability have the high subjective knowledge and are more likely to search for information. Overall, this study contributes to the emerging literature regarding the role of personal factors in IS and dissemination behaviour.
CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated disruption of the immediate early‐0 and 2 as a therapeutic approach to Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus in transgenic silkworm
Authors: Dong Z. , Hu Z. , Qin Q. , Dong F. , Huang L. , Long J. , Chen P. , Lu C. , Pan M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe CRISPR/Cas9 system is a powerful tool for the treatment of infectious diseases. In our previous study, we knocked out the Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) key genes and BmNPV‐dependent host factor to generate transgenic antiviral strains. To further expand the range of target genes for BmNPV and more effectively prevent and control pathogenic infections, we performed gene editing and antiviral analysis by constructing a target‐directed baculovirus early transcriptional activator immediate early‐0 (ie‐0) and 2 (ie‐2) transgenic silkworm line. We hybridized it with Cas9 transgenic line to produce a double‐positive transgenic Cas9(+)/sgIE0‐sgIE2(+) line that could activate the CRISPR gene editing system. We first demonstrated that the system is capable of efficiently editing target genes and resulting in fragment deletions in the BmNPV genome. Survival rate of the transgenic Cas9(+)/sgIE0‐sgIE2(+) line reached 65% after inoculation with 1 × 106 occlusion bodies/larva. Molecular analysis showed that BmNPV DNA replication and viral gene expression level in the transgenic Cas9(+)/sgIE0‐sgIE2(+) line were significantly inhibited compared with the control Cas9(−)/sgIE0‐sgIE2(−) line. These results indicated that IE‐0 and IE‐2, as baculovirus early transcriptional activators, can be used as target sites for gene therapy and that multigene editing could expand the range of target sites for research to create silkworm resistance breeds.