bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing noninvasive methodologies to assess koala population health through detecting Chlamydia from scats
Authors: Cristescu Romane H. , Miller Russell L. , Schultz Anthony J. , Hulse Lyndal , Jaccoud Damian , Johnston Stephen , Hanger Jon , Booth Rosie , Frère Céline H. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWildlife diseases are a recognized driver of global biodiversity loss, have substantial economic impacts, and are increasingly becoming a threat to human health. Disease surveillance is critical but remains difficult in the wild due to the substantial costs and potential biases associated with most disease detection methods. Noninvasive scat surveys have been proposed as a health monitoring methodology to overcome some of these limitations. Here, we use the known threat of Chlamydia disease to the iconic, yet vulnerable, koala Phascolarctos cinereus to compare three methods for Chlamydia detection in scats: multiplex quantitative PCR, next generation sequencing, and a detection dog specifically trained on scats from Chlamydia‐infected koalas. All three methods demonstrated 100% specificity, while sensitivity was variable. Of particular interest is the variable sensitivity of these diagnostic tests to detect sick individuals (i.e., not only infection as confirmed by Chlamydia‐positive swabs, but with observable clinical signs of the disease); for koalas with urogenital tract disease signs, sensitivity was 78% with quantitative PCR, 50% with next generation genotyping and 100% with the detection dog method. This may be due to molecular methods having to rely on high‐quality DNA whereas the dog most likely detects volatile organic compounds. The most appropriate diagnostic test will vary with disease prevalence and the specific aims of disease surveillance. Acknowledging that detection dogs might not be easily accessible to all, the future development of affordable and portable “artificial noses” to detect diseases from scats in the field might enable cost‐effective, rapid and large‐scale disease surveillance.
Using quantum dots as pollen labels to track the fates of individual pollen grains
Authors: Minnaar Corneile , Anderson Bruce 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Despite a long history of significant advances in understanding natural selection and evolution, the field of plant reproductive biology has largely studied plant mating without directly tracking pollen movement due to a lack of suitable pollen‐tracking methods.

Here, we develop and test a novel pollen‐tracking technique using quantum dots as pollen‐grain labels. Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals that are so small, they behave like atoms. When exposed to UV light, they emit extremely bright light in both visible and infrared wavelengths. We tested the suitability of non‐toxic CuInSexS2 − x/ZnS (core/shell) quantum dots with oleic‐acid ligands as pollen‐grain labels. Using a micropipette, we dispensed quantum dots dissolved in hexane in minute volumes (0.15–0.5 μl) directly onto dehisced anthers of four different plant species from four different families (Wachendorfia paniculata [Haemodoraceae], Sparaxis villosa [Iridaceae], Arctotheca calendula [Asteraceae], Oxalis purpurea [Oxalidaceae]).

After application, the hexane solvent evaporated immediately, leaving behind quantum dots that remained attached to pollen grains of the four different plant species even after agitation in a polar solvent. This suggests a lipophilic interaction between oleic‐acid ligands on quantum dots, and pollenkitt surrounding pollen grains. We also showed that most pollen grains within anthers of the same four plant species were labelled with quantum dots after applying a volume of quantum‐dot solution sufficient to cover an individual anther. To test whether quantum‐dot pollen labels influenced pollen transport, we conducted pollen transfer trials (one donor, 10 sequential recipients) on S. villosa using captively reared honey bees to ensure bees were free of external pollen prior to experiments. We found no difference in pollen transport to recipients from donor flowers with labelled or unlabelled pollen grains.

We demonstrate that quantum dots can be used as pollen labels allowing subsequent tracking of pollen fates. This method is relatively inexpensive (<$500 for equipment and ca. $0.02 per labelled anther thereafter) and can be simply and directly applied to anthers of most flowers in the lab and field. The ability to track pollen grain movement in situ, may help to address a historically neglected aspect of plant reproductive ecology and evolution.
Accounting as an engine for the re‐creation of strategy at a university
Authors: Ozdil Esin , Hoque Zahirul 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis paper examines the role of accounting in the strategy re‐creation of a university. Drawing on Donald MacKenzie's theoretical notion of performative engines, our field study of an Australian university reveals how accounting, through various calculative practices, fuelled change and steered people into strategic action, leading to the formation of a new strategic plan. We contribute to the existing accounting and higher education literature on university strategising by illustrating how accounting, when convincing and accepted by decision‐makers, can function as an engine for the transformation and financialisation of universities’ strategies.
Preconception and antenatal knowledge and beliefs about gestational weight gain
Authors: Hill Briony , Hayden Melissa , McPhie Skye , Bailey Cate , Skouteris Helen 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundPrevention of excessive gestational weight gain during pregnancy is difficult; targeting women before pregnancy may be more effective.AimsIn order to generate knowledge that may influence the development of effective interventions to promote healthy weight in reproductive‐aged women, this study aimed to explore knowledge and belief formation regarding gestational weight gain for preconception and pregnant women.Materials and MethodsWomen ≥18 years (preconception n = 265; pregnant women at 16 weeks gestation n = 271) completed questionnaires assessing knowledge and beliefs about gestational weight gain. Responses were categorised according to the 2009 Institute of Medicine gestational weight gain recommendations.ResultsPreconception women exhibited poorer gestational weight gain knowledge than pregnant women, yet only half of pregnant women reported accurate gestational weight gain knowledge within the Institute of Medicine recommendations. Beliefs about gestational weight gain were also inaccurate for both preconception and pregnant women, with 34.1% of pregnant and 44.6% of preconception women expecting to gain less than recommendations. Gestational weight gain knowledge accounted for about half of the variance in gestational weight gain beliefs.ConclusionsOverall, the large inaccuracies in gestational weight gain knowledge and beliefs reported by both preconception and pregnant women suggest significant gaps in dissemination of gestational weight gain advice throughout the reproductive life phase. Knowledge is an important part of belief formation that can lead to appropriate weight gain. Hence, health professionals and policy makers should actively pursue opportunities to improve gestational weight gain knowledge in reproductive‐aged women.
Targeting the hepcidin–ferroportin pathway in anaemia of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Sheetz Matthew , Barrington Philip , Callies Sophie , Berg Paul H. , McColm Juliet , Marbury Thomas , Decker Brian , Dyas Gregory L. , Truhlar Stephanie M.E. , Benschop Robert , Leung Donmienne , Berg Jolene , Witcher Derrick R. 
Published: January 2019

AimsErythropoiesis‐stimulating agents used to treat anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been associated with cardiovascular adverse events. Hepcidin production, controlled by bone morphogenic protein 6 (BMP6), regulates iron homeostasis via interactions with the iron transporter, ferroportin. High hepcidin levels are thought to contribute to increased iron sequestration and subsequent anaemia in CKD patients. To investigate alternative therapies to erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents for CKD patients, monoclonal antibodies, LY3113593 and LY2928057, targeting BMP6 and ferroportin respectively, were tested in CKD patients.MethodsPreclinical in vitro/vivo data and clinical data in healthy subjects and CKD patients were used to illustrate the translation of pharmacological properties of LY3113593 and LY2928057, highlighting the novelty of targeting these nodes within the hepcidin–ferroportin pathway.ResultsLY2928057 bound ferroportin and blocked interactions with hepcidin, allowing iron efflux, leading to increased serum iron and transferrin saturation levels and increased hepcidin in monkeys and humans. In CKD patients, LY2928057 led to slower haemoglobin decline and reduction in ferritin (compared to placebo). Serum iron increase was (mean [90% confidence interval]) 1.98 [1.46–2.68] and 1.36 [1.22–1.51] fold‐relative to baseline following LY2928057 600 mg and LY311593 150 mg respectively in CKD patients. LY3113593 specifically blocked BMP6 binding to its receptor and produced increases in iron and transferrin saturation and decreases in hepcidin preclinically and clinically. In CKD patients, LY3113593 produced an increase in haemoglobin and reduction in ferritin (compared to placebo).ConclusionLY3113593 and LY2928057 pharmacological effects (serum iron and ferritin) were translated from preclinical‐to‐clinical development. Such interventions may lead to new CKD anaemia treatments.
Lamotrigine drug interactions in combination therapy and the influence of therapeutic drug monitoring on clinical outcomes in paediatric patients
Authors: Koristkova Blanka , Grundmann Milan , Brozmanova Hana , Kacirova Ivana 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe aim was to study the impact of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) on paediatric patients on lamotrigine therapy and the evaluation of possible drug interactions, especially in triple antiepileptic drug combinations. During the period of 2001‐2015, 1308 pre‐dose samples were taken from 430 patients <15 years of age as part of routine TDM. Drug interactions were evaluated using calculation of lamotrigine clearance. Valproic acid decreased lamotrigine clearance by 54% in bitherapy, and by 21% in triple therapy with carbamazepine. Carbamazepine increased lamotrigine clearance by 191% in bitherapy. Levetiracetam and topiramate had no effect. The upper limit of lamotrigine therapeutic range (TR) was exceeded in 2% of cases in monotherapy, and in 6%‐7% of cases in bi‐ or triple therapy. About 61% of plasma levels were found within the TR during 2001‐2005, compared to 75% and 74% during 2006‐2010 and 2011‐2015, respectively. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were reported in 22 cases. Higher number of supratherapeutic levels in combination therapy led to a 3‐fold increase in incidence of ADRs. Seizures occurred more often daily and monthly during 2001‐2005 and in patients with three or four antiepileptic drugs in combination. Carbamazepine only partially compensated for the inhibitory effect of valproic acid. Lamotrigine clearance in monotherapy in children is similar to adults, but in polytherapy was found higher susceptibility to induction. A significantly higher number of supratherapeutic lamotrigine levels were found in combinations with valproate. Despite poor correlation with TR, both seizure frequency and ADRs declined after the implementation of TDM.
How we manage patients with pyruvate kinase deficiency
Authors: Grace Rachael F. , Mark Layton D. , Barcellini Wilma 
Published: January 2019

SummaryNovel therapies in development have brought a new focus on pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD), the most common congenital haemolytic anaemia due to a glycolytic enzyme deficiency. With an improved recognition of its clinical presentation and understanding of the diagnostic pathway, more patients are likely to be identified with this anaemia. Complications, including gallstones and non‐transfusion‐related iron overload, require monitoring for early diagnosis and management. Current management remains supportive with red cell transfusions, chelation and splenectomy. Decisions to transfuse and/or splenectomise must be individualised. Haematopoietic stem cell transplant has been pursued in a small number of patients with mixed outcomes. Novel treatment approaches, which range from a small molecule pyruvate kinase activator to gene therapy, may transform the way in which PKD is managed in the future. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology of PKD and present our approaches to diagnosis, monitoring and management of patients with this anaemia.
Low burden of minimal residual disease prior to transplantation in children with very high risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: The NOPHO ALL2008 experience
Authors: Ifversen Marianne , Turkiewicz Dominik , Marquart Hanne V. , Winiarski Jacek , Buechner Jochen , Mellgren Karin , Arvidson Johan , Rascon Jelena , Körgvee Lenne‐Triin , Madsen Hans O. , Abrahamsson Jonas , Lund Bendik , Jonsson Olafur G. , Heilmann Carsten , Heyman Mats , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Vettenranta Kim 
Published: January 2019

SummaryThe population‐based Nordic/Baltic acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) Nordic Society for Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (NOPHO) ALL2008 protocol combined minimal residual disease (MRD)‐driven treatment stratification with very intense first line chemotherapy for patients with high risk ALL. Patients with MRD ≥5% at end of induction or ≥10−3 at end of consolidation or following two high risk blocks were eligible for haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in first remission. After at least three high risk blocks a total of 71 children received HCT, of which 46 had MRD ≥5% at end of induction. Ten patients stratified to HCT were not transplanted; 12 received HCT without protocol indication. Among 69 patients with evaluable pre‐HCT MRD results, 22 were MRD‐positive, one with MRD ≥10−3. After a median follow‐up of 5·5 years, the cumulative incidence of relapse was 23·5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10·5–47·7) for MRD‐positive versus 5·1% (95% CI: 1·3–19·2), P = 0·02) for MRD‐negative patients. MRD was the only variable significantly associated with relapse (hazard ratio 9·1, 95% CI: 1·6–51·0, P = 0·012). Non‐relapse mortality did not differ between the two groups, resulting in disease‐free survival of 85·6% (95% CI: 75·4–97·2) and 67·4% (95% CI: 50·2–90·5), respectively. In conclusion, NOPHO block treatment efficiently reduced residual leukaemia which, combined with modern transplant procedures, provided high survival rates, also among pre‐HCT MRD‐positive patients.
Intravenous iron treatment reduces coagulability in patients with iron deficiency anaemia: a longitudinal study
Authors: Nashashibi Jeries , Avraham Gilat R. , Schwartz Naama , Awni Youssef , Elias Mazen 
Published: January 2019

SummaryAlthough many case reports and observational studies have reported a correlation between iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and thrombotic events, the mechanism for this is poorly understood. To evaluate this, we examined the change in coagulability in patients receiving treatment for IDA. Adult patients with IDA were recruited for this study and treated with intravenous iron. The change in coagulability was assessed by thrombin generation using the calibrated automated thrombogram method. The change in factor VIII (FVIII) activity was later examined as a possible link. Forty‐eight participants received intravenous iron and were included in this study. After treatment with intravenous iron, endogenous thrombin potential and peak height decreased in IDA patients by a mean of 122·4 nmol/l/min (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17·9–227, P = 0·023) and 51·9 (95% CI: 26·6–77·2, P < 0·001) respectively. Time to peak (peak time) increased by a mean of 23·6 s (95% CI: 5·4–41·9, P = 0·012). FVIII activity was reduced by a mean of 9·6% (95% CI: 2·54–16·7, P = 0·009). In conclusion, treating IDA reduces the blood's coagulability, as evidenced by the change in thrombin generation and FVIII activity levels. No correlation was found between the degree of iron deficiency correction and thrombogram parameters.
Distinguishing local and global correlates of population change in migratory species
Authors: Dhanjal‐Adams Kiran L. , Fuller Richard A. , Murray Nicholas J. , Studds Colin E. , Wilson Howard B. , Milton David A. , Kendall Bruce E. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimUnderstanding the processes driving population declines in migratory species can be challenging. Not only are monitoring data spatially and temporally sparse, but conditions in one location can carry over to indirectly (and disproportionately) affect the population in another location. Here, we explore whether remote factors can sequentially, and potentially cumulatively, influence local population fluctuations in declining populations of shorebirds.LocationMoreton Bay (Australia) and the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.MethodsWe use N‐mixture models to account for variable observer effort and estimate yearly population growth rate. We then use least squares regressions to correlate population growth rates with remotely sensed climate anomalies at different migratory stages. From this, we estimate species‐specific climate sensitivity indices and explore whether species which are declining more rapidly, or which rely more heavily on areas undergoing rapid habitat loss, have higher climate sensitivity indices.ResultsWe find that species which rely more on the Yellow Sea during migratory stopover (a region which has undergone severe habitat loss) are more sensitive to rainfall anomalies in their Arctic breeding grounds, suggesting that habitat loss reduces the resilience of shorebirds to climate extremes. Furthermore, species with higher sensitivities to climatic conditions during stopover are also those which are declining quickest, suggesting that declining populations may also be less resilient to climate fluctuations at bottleneck sites. We also observed species‐specific correlations between climate anomalies at all migratory stages and population growth rates, primarily for eastern curlew and lesser sand plover.Main conclusionBy applying methods in combination, it is possible to use citizen science data from a single location in a flyway of over 160 sites up to 11,680 km apart, to investigate how different stressors correlate with local population dynamics.
Newborns are sensitive to multiple cues for word segmentation in continuous speech
Authors: Fló Ana , Brusini Perrine , Macagno Francesco , Nespor Marina , Mehler Jacques , Ferry Alissa L. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBefore infants can learn words, they must identify those words in continuous speech. Yet, the speech signal lacks obvious boundary markers, which poses a potential problem for language acquisition (Swingley,Philos Trans R Soc Lond. Series B, Biol Sci364(1536), 3617–3632, 2009). By the middle of the first year, infants seem to have solved this problem (Bergelson & Swingley,Proc Natl Acad Sci109(9), 3253–3258, 2012; Jusczyk & Aslin, Cogn Psychol29, 1–23, 1995), but it is unknown if segmentation abilities are present from birth, or if they only emerge after sufficient language exposure and/or brain maturation. Here, in two independent experiments, we looked at two cues known to be crucial for the segmentation of human speech: the computation of statistical co‐occurrences between syllables and the use of the language's prosody. After a brief familiarization of about 3 min with continuous speech, using functional near‐infrared spectroscopy, neonates showed differential brain responses on a recognition test to words that violated either the statistical (Experiment 1) or prosodic (Experiment 2) boundaries of the familiarization, compared to words that conformed to those boundaries. Importantly, word recognition in Experiment 2 occurred even in the absence of prosodic information at test, meaning that newborns encoded the phonological content independently of its prosody. These data indicate that humans are born with operational language processing and memory capacities and can use at least two types of cues to segment otherwise continuous speech, a key first step in language acquisition.
Estimating costs of aphid resistance to parasitoids conferred by a protective strain of the bacterial endosymbiont Regiella insecticola
Authors: Jamin Anine R. , Vorburger Christoph 
Published: January 2019

AbstractHeritable bacterial endosymbionts are common in aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and they can influence ecologically important traits of their hosts. It is generally assumed that their persistence in a population is dependent on a balance between the costs and benefits they confer. A good example is Hamiltonella defensa Moran et al., a facultative symbiont that provides a benefit by strongly increasing aphid resistance to parasitoid wasps, but becomes costly to the host in the absence of parasitoids. Regiella insecticola Moran et al. is another common symbiont of aphids and generally does not influence resistance to parasitoids. In the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), however, one strain (R5.15) was discovered that behaves like H. defensa in that it provides strong protection against parasitoid wasps. Here we compare R5.15‐infected and uninfected lines of three M. persicae clones to test whether this protective symbiont is costly as well, i.e., whether it has any negative effects on aphid life‐history traits. Furthermore, we transferred R5.15 to two other aphid species, the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), and the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli, where this strain is also protective against parasitoids and where we could compare its effects with those of additional, non‐protective strains of R. insecticola. Negative effects of R5.15 on host survival and lifetime reproduction were limited and frequently non‐significant, and these effects were comparable or in one case weaker than those of R. insecticola strains that are not protective against parasitoid wasps. Unless the benefit of protection is counteracted by detrimental effects on traits that were not considered in this study, R. insecticola strain R5.15 should have a high potential to spread in aphid populations.
Diapause research in insects: historical review and recent work perspectives
Authors: Tougeron Kévin 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAll organisms on Earth have evolved biological rhythms to face alternation of periods of favorable and unfavorable environmental conditions, at various temporal scales. Diapause is a state of seasonal dormancy adapted to recurring periods of adverse environmental conditions and triggered by biotic and abiotic factors that precede the arrival of these conditions. Several monographs already review the mechanisms of diapause expression in arthropods, from initiation to termination phases. Rather than adding another review to the literature on this topic, this paper primarily aims to link past concepts on seasonal strategies with new perspective on diapause research in arthropods. By focusing on insects, I examine the legacy of diapause history research in terrestrial arthropods since antiquity but mostly over the past 3 centuries, its contribution to the understanding of insect seasonal ecology, and I explore some of the reasons why it is still relevant to study diapause. I highlight some of the topical issues on which current work focuses to better understand and integrate arthropod diapause with their ecology, especially in the climate change context and for the provision of ecosystem services.