bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular sexing assays in 114 mammalian species: In silico sequence reanalysis and a unified graphical visualization of diagnostic tests
Authors: Strah Rebeka , Kunej Tanja 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMolecular‐based methods for identifying sex in mammals have a wide range of applications, from embryo manipulation to ecological studies. Various sex‐specific or homologous genes can be used for this purpose, PCR amplification being a common method. Over the years, the number of reported tests and the range of tested species have increased greatly. The aim of the present analysis was to retrieve PCR‐based sexing assays for a range of mammalian species, gathering the gene sequences from either the articles or online databases, and visualize the molecular design in a uniform manner. For nucleotide alignment and diagnostic test visualization, the following genomic databases and tools were used: NCBI, Ensembl Nucleotide BLAST, ClustalW2, and NEBcutter V2.0. In the 45 gathered articles, 59 different diagnostic tests based on eight different PCR‐based methods were developed for 114 mammalian species. Most commonly used genes for the analysis were ZFX, ZFY, AMELX, and AMELY. The tests were most commonly based on sex‐specific insertions and deletions (SSIndels) and sex‐specific sequence polymorphisms (SSSP). This review provides an overview of PCR‐based sexing methods developed for mammals. This information will facilitate more efficient development of novel molecular sexing assays and reuse of previously developed tests. Development of many novel and improvement of previously developed tests is also expected with the rapid increase in the quantity and quality of available genetic information.
Changes in genetic diversity and differentiation in Red‐cockaded woodpeckers (Dryobates borealis) over the past century
Authors: Miller Mark P. , Vilstrup Julia T. , Mullins Thomas D. , McDearman Will , Walters Jeffrey R. , Haig Susan M. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractRed‐cockaded woodpeckers (RCW; Dryobates borealis) declined after human activities reduced their fire‐maintained pine ecosystem to <3% of its historical range in the southeastern United States and degraded remaining habitat. An estimated 1.6 million RCW cooperative breeding groups declined to about 3,500 groups with no more than 10,000 birds by 1978. Management has increased RCW population abundances since they were at their lowest in the 1990s. However, no range‐wide study has been undertaken since then to investigate the impacts of this massive bottleneck or infer the effects of conservation management and recent demographic recoveries. We used mitochondrial DNA sequences (mtDNA) and nine nuclear microsatellite loci to determine if range‐wide demographic declines resulted in changes to genetic structure and diversity in RCW by comparing samples collected before 1970 (mtDNA data only), between 1992 and 1995 (mtDNA and microsatellites), and between 2010 and 2014 (mtDNA and microsatellites). We show that genetic diversity has been lost as detected by a reduction in the number of mitochondrial haplotypes. This reduction was apparent in comparisons of pre‐1970 mtDNA data with data from the 1992–1995 and 2010–2014 time points, with no change between the latter two time points in mtDNA and microsatellite analyses. The mtDNA data also revealed increases in range‐wide genetic differentiation, with a genetically panmictic population present throughout the southeastern United States in the pre‐1970s data and subsequent development of genetic structure that has remained unchanged since the 1990s. Genetic structure was also uncovered with the microsatellite data, which like the mtDNA data showed little change between the 1992–1995 and 2010–2014 data sets. Temporal haplotype networks revealed a consistent, star‐like phylogeny, suggesting that despite the overall loss of haplotypes, no phylogenetically distinct mtDNA lineages were lost when the population declined. Our results may suggest that management during the last two decades has prevented additional losses of genetic diversity.
Differential responses to global change of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species: evidences from a meta‐analysis
Authors: Stephens Kambridge L. , Dantzler‐Kyer Maryanne E. , Patten Michael A. , Souza Lara 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIncreases in carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, and precipitation can have varying effects on environmental conditions and resources affecting species’ performance and overall function of native and non‐native species that may influence future biodiversity. More attention is being focused on how climate change impacts the performance of co‐occurring native and introduced species. No synthesis has solely examined how invasive plant and animal species perform under climate change across both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. We asked the following questions: (1) How will combined and single climate change factors influence the performance of non‐native species? (2) Which habitat types are more affected by climate factors in a combined or single manner? (3) What guilds/functional groups, within aquatic vs. terrestrial habitats, are more impacted by climate factors? To better understand this, we conducted a meta‐analysis examining the relative influence climate change factors (carbon dioxide (CO2)/acidification, temperature, precipitation) have on invasive species’ performance. Our results indicate that global change factors had an overall increased performance on invasive species in terrestrial habitats with an opposite effect observed in aquatic habitats. Plant functional groups were positively affected, whereas animal guilds were generally negatively impacted by global changes. Our findings suggest that while invasive taxa are affected differently by global changes, responses are confounded by habitat type, and, therefore, to fully understand global change impacts on invasive taxa, increased representation of animal studies in terrestrial systems and plants in aquatic systems is needed.
Micronutrients may influence the efficacy of ectomycorrhizas to support tree seedlings in a lowland African rain forest
Authors: Newbery David M. , Neba Godlove A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn the lowland rain forest of SW Cameroon, a field experiment tested whether ectomycorrhizal hyphal connections might affect the growth and survival of seedlings of a principal tree species, Microberlinia bisulcata, close to its adults. Nursery‐raised seedlings were planted into fine‐, medium‐, and coarse‐mesh root bags, and as no‐bag controls, in replicate subplots. The bags prevented fungal hyphae, and fine‐ and medium‐sized roots, respectively, entering from the outside forest floor root mat. Harvests were taken after 1 and 2 yr, with non‐destructive recording in between. Seedlings grew in typically low‐light locations. Survivorship did not differ between treatments (33%), but seedlings grew significantly better in terms of stem dry mass by harvest 2 in the medium‐mesh compared with other treatments. Treatment 1 to 3 seedlings had stem masses 25, 44, and 5% higher than controls, respectively. Using a method of differences across treatments, the positive effect of ectomycorrhizas on growth was 13.6%, while the negative effect of root competition (RCM) was 31.2% (net outcome = 17.6%). Adjustment was made to account for root penetration damaging some mesh bags. Differences in growth in replicate subplots were, however, much larger than those for treatments. Elemental analysis of seedling plant parts showed few differences between treatments, but phosphorus was high in stems, aluminum and iron were very high in roots, and copper was deficiently low in leaves. Soil analyses revealed very low copper levels, suggesting with the seedling results that this element was critically limiting for seedlings. Ectomycorrhizas are probably important for copper uptake (as for phosphorus), so roots may have been competing for this element. Because seedlings were growing in the shade and the soil was inhibitory to roots, they could not form network connections enough to positively out‐balance root competition. The efficacy of ectomycorrhizal networks for at least seedling establishment in this forest is low.
Spatial modeling of Audubon Christmas Bird Counts reveals fine‐scale patterns and drivers of relative abundance trends
Authors: Meehan Timothy D. , Michel Nicole L. , Rue Håvard 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBird counts by community volunteers provide valuable information about the conservation needs of many bird species. The statistical modeling techniques commonly used to analyze these counts provide robust, long‐term population trend estimates from heterogeneous community science data at regional, national, and continental scales. Here, we present a new modeling approach that increases the spatial resolution of trend estimates and reduces the computational burden of trend estimation, each by an order of magnitude. We demonstrate the approach with data for the American Robin (Turdus migratorius) from Audubon Christmas Bird Counts conducted between 1966 and 2017. We show that aggregate regional trend estimates from the proposed method aligned well with those from the current standard method, and that spatial variation in trends was associated with winter temperatures and human population densities as predicted by ecological energetics. This technique can provide reasonable large‐scale trend estimates for users interested in general patterns, while also providing higher‐resolution estimates for examining correlates of abundance trends at finer spatial scales, which is a prerequisite for tailoring management plans to local conditions.
Consumptive and non‐consumptive effects of predators vary with the ontogeny of their prey
Authors: Pessarrodona Albert , Boada Jordi , Pagès Jordi F. , Arthur Rohan , Alcoverro Teresa 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPredators exert a strong influence on ecological communities by reducing the abundance of prey (consumptive effects) and shaping their foraging behavior (non‐consumptive effects). Although the prevalence of trophic cascades triggered by non‐consumptive effects is increasingly recognized in a wide range of ecosystems, how its relative strength changes as prey individuals grow in size along various life stages remains poorly resolved. We investigated how the effects of predators vary with the ontogeny of a key herbivorous sea urchin, which is responsible for transforming diverse macroalgal forests to a barren state dominated by bare rock and encrusting coralline algae. We conducted a series of field and laboratory experiments to determine how susceptibility to predation, prey behavioral responses, and grazing impact on algal cover vary with sea urchin size. The consumptive effects of predators were greater on smaller sea urchin size classes, which were more susceptible to predation. Unexpectedly however, predator non‐consumptive effects acted only on larger sea urchins, significantly reducing their grazing activity in the presence of predator cues. Crucially, only these larger sea urchins were capable of overgrazing macroalgae in the field, with non‐consumptive effects reducing sea urchin foraging activity and macroalgal grazing impact by 60%. The decoupling between risk and fear as prey grow indicates that the strength of consumptive and non‐consumptive trophic cascades may act differently at different ontogenetic stages of prey. While the consumptive effects of predators directly influence population numbers, the consequences of non‐consumptive effects may far outlive consumptive effects as prey grow, finding refuge in size, but not from fear.
Does changing weight change pain? Retrospective data analysis from a national multidisciplinary weight management service
Authors: Dunlevy Colin , MacLellan Grace A. , O’Malley Emer , Blake Catherine , Breen Cathy , Gaynor Karen , Wallace Natalie , Yoder Ruth , Casey Domhnall , Mehegan John , Fullen Brona M. , O’Shea Donal 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundMusculoskeletal (MSK) pain is common in obese populations. Multidisciplinary Tier 3 weight management services (WMS) are effective in reducing weight; however, MSK pain as an outcome is not routinely reported post‐WMS interventions.MethodsFollowing ethical approval this retrospective design study using anonymized data from a national WMS established changes in anthropometric and pain prevalence and intensity scores as well as establishing variables predictive of achieving clinically significant changes (CSC) in pain scores.ResultsOf the 806 patients registered to the WMS (January 2011–February 2015), 59% (n = 476; CI = 56–62) attended their reassessments at 6 months. The overall mean age was 45.1 ± 12 years and 62% (n = 294) were female. At baseline 70% (n = 281; CI = 65–75) reported low back pain (LBP) and 59% (n = 234; CI = 54–64) had knee pain. At reassessment 37.3% (n = 177) of patients lost ≥5% body weight, 58.7% (n = 279) were weight stable (5% weight loss or gain) and 4.0% (n = 19) gained ≥5% body weight. Low back and knee pain prevalence reduced significantly for those who lost ≥5% body weight. Variables predictive of a CSC in LBP numerical rating scale (NRS) score included a higher baseline NRS score, weighing more, and rating losing weight as being important (p < 0.05). Higher baseline NRS and being younger resulted in higher odds of a CSC in knee pain NRS (p < 0.05).ConclusionsOverall this WMS was effective for clinical weight loss. For those who lost most weight prevalence of knee and LBP reduced. Imbedding pain management strategies within WMS’s may provide a more holistic approach to obesity management.SignificanceWeight loss can reduce musculoskeletal pain, particularly for those who lose more weight. Imbedding pain management strategies within these services may provide a more holistic approach to obesity management.
Performance study of the multiwavelet discontinuous Galerkin approach for solving the Green‐Naghdi equations
Authors: Sharifian Mohammad Kazem , Hassanzadeh Yousef , Kesserwani Georges , Shaw James 
Published: April 2019

SummaryThis paper presents a multiresolution discontinuous Galerkin (DG) scheme for the adaptive solution of Boussinesq‐type equations. The model combines multiwavelet (MW)–based grid adaptation with a DG solver based on the system of fully nonlinear and weakly dispersive Green‐Naghdi (GN) equations. The key feature of the adaptation procedure is to conduct a multiresolution analysis using MWs on a hierarchy of nested grids to improve the efficiency of the reference DG scheme on a uniform grid by computing on a locally refined adapted grid. This way, the local resolution level will be determined by manipulating MW coefficients controlled by a single user‐defined threshold value. The proposed adaptive multiwavelet DG solver for GN equations is assessed using several benchmark problems related to wave propagation and transformation in nearshore areas. The numerical results demonstrate that the proposed scheme retains the accuracy of the reference scheme, while significantly reducing the computational cost.
Drax group's bioenergy CCS (BECCS) project
Authors: Clayton Carl 
Published: April 2019

AbstractCarbon Capture and Storage is a new technology which must be adapted to the particular situation in which it is utilised. In effect one size does not fit all. To this end, adaptation and innovation will always be at the heart of the CCUS implementation. In this article Carl Clayton, Drax Group Research and Innovation Engineer, talks to GHGS&T about the latest innovation in carbon capture at Drax Power Station in the UK.
Gold nanoparticles and polyethylene glycol alleviate clinical symptoms and alter cytokine secretion in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Aghaie Tayebe , Jazayeri Mir Hadi , Avan Amir , Anissian Ali , Salari Ali‐Akbar 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTGold nanoparticles (GNPs) are attractive nanoparticles with unique electronic and optical properties in the nanotechnology field and are widely used in various biomedical fields. Studies have shown that these particles also exhibit antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. On the other hand, polyethylene glycol (PEG) that used to stabilize GNPs also exhibits antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties due to their membrane resealing properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of GNPs and PEG in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). EAE was induced in female C57BL/6 mice with injection of an emulsion of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35‐55) peptide and Freund's adjuvant. GNPs measuring 25 nm were prepared, and their size was determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), then intraperitoneal injection of GNPs and PEG (MW 1500; 30% w/v) was initiated after immunization and continued until the day 27 postimmunization (13 injections in total). The EAE clinical scores and body weights were evaluated. We analyzed cental nervous system's cell infiltration and demyelinated lesions using hematoxylin and eosin and luxol fast blue staining, respectively. Also, interleukin‐23 and interleukin‐27 were examined using the ELISA technique. The severity of MS symptoms was significantly decreased in the treated groups with GNPs and PEG. Histological examination of the spinal cord showed that the number and severity of cells’ infiltration and demyelinated lesions decreased significantly, and also the cytokine levels of IL‐23 and IL‐27 altered in treated groups. These results show that GNPs and PEG ameliorate the clinical course of EAE in mice. Our findings demonstrate proof of principle for potential of GNPs and PEG as novel agents for therapeutic approaches in the alleviated clinical symptoms of MS. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(9):1313–1321, 2019
Effect of microwave and probe sonication processes on sol–gel‐derived bioactive glass and its structural and biocompatible investigations
Authors: Chitra S. , Bargavi P. , Balakumar S. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis study is to investigate the effect of synthesis approaches on morphology, porosity, and biocompatibility of bioactive glass (BG). BG prepared through sol–gel approach was subsequently subjected to microwave and probe sonication techniques to investigate the structural and morphological effect. Hexagonal rod‐shaped morphology was obtained in sol–gel‐derived bioactive glass, whereas mesoporous particles and spherical‐shaped morphology were observed in probe‐sonicated and microwave‐assisted sol–gel approaches, respectively. The probe‐sonicated BG has mesopores with pore diameter of 14.7 nm, whereas surface porosity of 1.5 nm, and 3.5 nm for pure sol–gel and microwave‐assisted sol–gel fabricated BGs. Granular size, shape, and porosity have a significant role at the point of contact with cellular membrane. Therefore, we studied the biocompatibility with respect to morphology and porosity of the fabricated BGs. From this study, we observed that the BG prepared using probe sonication method controls the particle size, further it enhances the porosity that altogether improves the biocompatibility. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 108B:143–155, 2020.
Functionalization with a VEGFR2‐binding antibody fragment leads to enhanced endothelialization of a cardiovascular stent in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Wawrzyńska Magdalena , Kraskiewicz Honorata , Paprocka Maria , Krawczenko Agnieszka , Bielawska‐Pohl Aleksandra , Biały Dariusz , Roleder Tomasz , Wojakowski Wojciech , O'Connor Iain B. , Duda Maciej , Michal Robert , Wasyluk Łukasz , Plesch Gustav , Podbielska Halina , Kopaczyńska Marta , Wall J. Gerard 
Published: April 2019

AbstractRapid endothelialization of cardiovascular stents is critical to prevent major clinical complications such as restenosis. Reconstruction of the native endothelium on the stent surface can be achieved by the capture of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) or neighboring endothelial cells (ECs) in vivo. In this study, stainless steel cardiovascular stents were functionalized with recombinant scFv antibody fragments specific for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 (VEGFR2) that is expressed on EPCs and ECs. Anti‐VEGFR2 scFvs were expressed in glycosylated form in Escherichia coli and covalently attached to amine‐functionalized, titania‐coated steel disks and stents. ScFv‐coated surfaces exhibited no detectable cytotoxicity to human ECs or erythrocytes in vitro and bound 15 times more VEGFR2‐positive human umbilical vein ECs than controls after as little as 3 min. Porcine coronary arteries were successfully stented with scFv‐coated stents with no adverse clinical events after 30 days. Endovascular imaging and histology revealed coverage of the anti‐VEGFR2 scFv‐coated stent with a cell layer after 5 days and the presence of a neointima layer with a minimum thickness of 80 μm after 30 days. Biofunctionalization of cardiovascular stents with endothelial cell‐capturing antibody fragments in this manner offers promise in accelerating stent endothelialization in vivo. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 108B:213–224, 2020.
Exosomal transfer of miR‐124 inhibits normal fibroblasts to cancer‐associated fibroblasts transition by targeting sphingosine kinase 1 in ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhang Yuyang , Cai Huihua , Chen Siping , Sun Donghua , Zhang Dongmei , He Yuanli 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe interaction between tumor microenvironment and tumor cells plays a key role in tumor progression. However, the mechanisms by which this interaction promotes the transdifferentiation of normal fibroblasts (NFs) to cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ovarian cancer (OvCa) cells‐derived microRNAs were involved in the transition of resident fibroblasts to CAFs, and in promoting tumorigenesis.MethodsCAFs and NFs were isolated from the same ovarian site in OvCa and noncancerous prophylactic oophorectomy specimens. The effect of exosomes on the motility of CAFs or NFs was analyzed by wound healing and Transwell assays. The expression of CAFs marker α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and fibroblast activated protein (FAP) were determined by quantitative real‐time PCR and Western blotting. A luciferase reporter assay was used to test the interaction between miR‐124 and sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1).ResultsNFs with downregulated miR‐124 displayed the characteristics of CAFs, including overexpression of α‐SMA and FAP and increased migratory and invasive ability. Overexpression of miR‐124 in CAFs reversed some traits of NFs. Human ovarian surface epithelial cells‐secreted miR‐124 could be transferred via exosomes to CAFs and resulted in decreased α‐SMA and FAP expression and attenuated cell motility. Moreover, our finding showed that the expression of SPHK1, a potential target of miR‐124, was significantly elevated in CAFs.ConclusionsThe present study provides important and novel perspective into OvCa CAF differentiation and extracellular matrix remodeling, which trigger the tumor progression.