bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Housing Gnotobiotic Mice in Conventional Animal Facilities
Authors: Lange Máximo E. , Uwiera Richard R. E. , Inglis G. Douglas 
Published: January 2019

AbstractGnotobiotic mice are an established, robust model utilized in current research to study host‐microbiota interactions. For years isolators have been used to rear germ‐free and gnotobiotic mice. However, isolators can be costly and the segregation of treatments within the same isolator is problematic. Recently, methodologies for housing germ‐free mice in specially designed individually ventilated cages (IVCs) operated under barrier mode have been developed; however, this equipment is costly and its operation in barrier mode for research involving germ‐free mice and pathogens is not permissible under modern biosafety and biosecurity regulations. This article describes a method to house germ‐free mice in a commonly available conventional IVC system operated under containment mode. This technique allows researchers to maintain the germ‐free or gnotobiotic status of mice tested up to 4 weeks with weekly handling while working with pathogens using each IVC as a separate experimental unit. © 2019 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada.
Responses of a legume to inbreeding and the intensity of novel and familiar stresses
Authors: Rehling Finn , Matthies Diethart , Sandner Tobias Michael 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIt is often assumed that the negative effects of inbreeding on fitness (inbreeding depression, ID) are particularly strong under stressful conditions. However, ID may be relatively mild under types of stress that plant populations have experienced for a long time, because environment‐specific deleterious alleles may already have been purged. We examined the performance of open‐ and self‐pollinated progeny of the short‐lived calcareous grassland plant Anthyllis vulneraria under three intensities of each of five types of stress. Drought, nutrient deficiency, and defoliation were chosen as stresses typical for the habitat of origin, while shade and waterlogging were expected to be novel, unfamiliar stresses for A. vulneraria. The stresses reduced plant biomass by up to 91%, and the responses of the plants were mostly in line with the functional equilibrium hypothesis. There was significant ID in biomass (δ = 0.17), leaf chlorophyll content, and the number of root nodules of the legume, but the magnitude of ID was independent of the stress treatments. In particular, there was no significant interaction between inbreeding and the intensity of any stress type, and ID was not higher under novel than under familiar stresses. In addition, phenotypic plasticity in biomass allocation, leaf functional traits and in root nodulation of the legume to the various stress treatments was not influenced by inbreeding. Our findings do not support the common hypothesis of stronger ID under stressful environments, not even if the stresses are novel to the plants.
Breeding synchrony and predator specialization: A test of the predator swamping hypothesis in seabirds
Authors: Descamps Sébastien 
Published: January 2019

AbstractReproductive synchrony is a widespread phenomenon that is predicted to be adaptive for prey with specialist predators but not for those with generalist ones. I tested this prediction in three polar seabird species characterized by different levels of predator specialization. In the Antarctic petrel, for which the only predator was highly specialized, hatching dates were highly synchronous and chicks that hatched close to the mean hatching date had a higher survival. In black‐legged kittiwakes and Brünnich's guillemots, whose predators were generalists, breeding was less synchronous and there was no fitness advantage in hatching close to the mean. This study emphasizes the potential importance of the relative timing of reproduction for individual fitness and supports the hypothesis that the adaptive value of breeding synchrony depends on the predator functional response.
Host sex, size, and hemoparasite infection influence the effects of ectoparasitic burdens on free‐ranging iguanas
Authors: Knapp Charles R. , Perez‐Heydrich Caro , Zachariah Trevor T. , Jollay Jill , Schnelle Amy N. , Buckner Sandra D. , Lattin Christine R. , Romero L. Michael 
Published: January 2019

AbstractInvestigations focusing on host–ectoparasite interactions in animals have revealed asymptomatic to severe health and fitness consequences suggesting that species mobilize different interspecific response mechanisms. Fewer studies, however, have examined intraspecific responses to ectoparasitic burdens. In this study, we analyzed host health and fitness responses to increasing ectoparasite burdens along with the presence/absence of hemoparasites of free‐ranging insular rock iguanas (Cyclura cychlura) in The Bahamas. Using hematology, plasma biochemistry, as well as body condition and growth rate comparisons, we failed to find significant associations of tick burdens with annual growth rate, corticosterone, packed cell volume, total white blood cell, and heterophil, monocyte, eosinophil or hemoglobin measures. We did, however, find mixed and significant associations of tick burdens with lymphocyte and basophil counts, heterophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratios, and body condition indices. These associations varied by sex, size, and hemoparasite infection status suggesting that different life stages of iguanas may invest differently in immune responses, and impacts may be modulated based on size and sex of hosts, and coinfection status.
High‐resolution characterization of the abiotic environment and disturbance regimes on the Great Barrier Reef, 1985–2017
Authors: Matthews Samuel A. , Mellin Camille , MacNeil Aaron , Heron Scott F. , Skirving William , Puotinen Marji , Devlin Michelle J. , Pratchett Morgan 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis data compilation synthesizes 36 static environmental and spatial variables, and temporally explicit modeled estimates of three major disturbances to coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR): (1) coral bleaching, (2) tropical cyclones, and (3) outbreaks of the coral‐eating crown‐of‐thorns starfish Acanthaster cf. solaris. Data are provided on a standardized grid (0.01° × 0.01° ~ 1 × 1 km) for reef locations along the GBR, containing 15,928 pixels and excluding the northernmost sections (<12° S) where empirical data were sparse. This compilation provides a consistent and high‐resolution characterization of the abiotic environment and disturbance regimes for GBR reef locations at a fine spatial scale to be used in the development of complex ecosystem models. Static estimates of environmental variables (e.g., depth, bed shear stress, average temperature, temperature variation) originally developed by the Commonwealth of Australia's Environment Research Facility (CERF) Marine Biodiversity Hub were provided by Geoscience Australia. Annual (1985–2017) disturbance estimates were either interpolated from empirical data (A. cf. solaris), predicted from proxy indicators (e.g., degree heating weeks [DHW] as a proxy for bleaching severity), or explicitly modeled (e.g., wave height model for each cyclone). This data set synthesizes some of the most recent advances in remote sensing and modeling of environmental conditions on the GBR; yet it is not exhaustive and we highlight areas that should be expanded through future research. The characterization of abiotic and disturbance regimes presented here represent an essential tool for the development of complex regional scale models of the GBR; preventing redundancy between working groups and promoting collaboration, innovation, and consistency. When using the data set, we kindly request that you cite this article and/or the articles cited in the reference section, recognizing the work that went into compiling the data together and the original authors' willingness to make it publicly available.
Legitimate planning processes or informed decisions? Exploring public officials' rationales for participation in regional green infrastructure planning in Estonia
Authors: Suškevičs Monika 
Published: January 2019

AbstractParticipation can be grounded in democratic ideals (normative rationale), reasons for producing new knowledge (substantive rationale), and arguments for increasing the legitimacy of decision making (instrumental rationale). In practice, rationales for participation often determine the goal of involvement (“why?”), the subjects (“who?”) and objects of inclusion (“what?”), and whole design of decision making (“how?”). This study explores rationales prevalent within the planning of the Estonian ecological network concept—green network. This research relies on a qualitative synthesis of 10 cases of participatory processes at the regional level. A struggle for balance between the substantive and instrumental rationales is documented. This study finds that participatory processes often stalled due to a mismatch between the rationale endorsed by public officials and the expectation towards participation held by the stakeholders. Such contradictions could be addressed if ecological network planning practices would have considered not only “whom” to invite and involve but also “what” to include.
Ductile shear deformation and gold mineralization in the Hetai goldfield of the Yunkai Massif, South China Block
Authors: Ni Jinlong , Liu Junlai , Wang Jingcao , Tang Xiaoling , Wang Zhong , Li Zengsheng , Li Dapeng 
Published: January 2019

The Hetai goldfield, located at the northern edge of the Yunkai Massif in South China, is a significant gold deposit hosted within the Hetai ductile shear zone (HSZ). The deformation history of HSZ and its correlation with the gold mineralization are problematic. In this study, we conducted detailed field observations and microstructure analyses together with zircon U–Pb and muscovite 40Ar/39Ar geochronology on mylonitic granites, aiming to study the deformation features and processes of the ductile shear zone (DSZ) along with their further implications to the gold metallogenic mechanisms of the Hetai goldfield (HGF). The HGF and its periphery have undergone three phases of ductile shear event (DS) since the Palaeozoic: The first DS developed from 468 to 413 Ma, with deformation temperatures above 500°C, accompanied by the formation of large‐scale migmatite and magmatism. The second DS developed from 239 to 211 Ma, with deformation temperatures ranging from 400°C to 500°C and resulted in a low‐angle, top‐to‐the‐SE thrusting. The third DS developed from 198 to 162 Ma, with deformation temperatures between 300°C and 400°C and formed steep, dextral strike‐slip shear zones. The DSs in the HGF have close connection with the gold mineralization. The first DS is coeval with the small‐scale gold mineralization or sulfofication and laid the foundation for later large‐scale gold mineralization. The second DS had no obvious gold mineralization, but the DSZ that developed in this period, together with the earlier DSZs, may have provided a migration pathway for the later gold ore‐forming fluid. Occurrence of the third DS was combined with the main gold mineralization, but the large‐scale gold mineralization mainly occurred during 175–157 Ma, that is, the middle and later periods of dextral strike‐slip. Overall, multiphase DS dominated the large‐scale gold mineralization in this area.
Irrigation efficiency and shallow groundwater in anisotropic floodplain soils near Lake Tana, Ethiopia
Authors: Abera Beyene Abebech , Verhoest Niko E.C. , Tilahun Seifu , Alamirew Tena , Adgo Enyew , Nyssen Jan 
Published: January 2019

AbstractField experiments were conducted (December 2014 to May 2015) in a small irrigation scheme (60 ha) to study the effect of flood irrigation on anisotropic soils with shallow groundwater in the Lake Tana floodplains of Ethiopia. Irrigation (470 ± 33 mm) was measured using V‐notches; rainfall did not occur, and the groundwater table was monitored daily using piezometers to estimate recharge from irrigated onion fields using the groundwater table fluctuation method. Recharge was influenced by applied irrigation amount, groundwater table depth, seasonal temperature variations, irrigation application efficiency and crop growth stages. The decreased deep percolation during the hottest periods and peak growth stages negatively influenced the reduction in groundwater decline caused by irrigation. The soil anisotropy also played a major role in the recharge amount: despite clay dominance in the topsoils, rapid groundwater table rises (0.02–0.56 m) were due to the presence of granular and blocky structures. Recharge was also influenced by irrigation efficiency, indicating higher recharge during periods of lower efficiency. The seasonal recharge was 34–46% of applied irrigation and there is much room for improving irrigation efficiency which is only 46 (±12) to 51 (±17)%. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mobile marketing application for entrepreneurship development: Codesign with women entrepreneurs in Iringa, Tanzania
Authors: Kapinga Alsen Florian , Suero Montero Calkin , Mbise Esther Rosinner 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMobile marketing apps have been progressively employed as business gadget innovations in developing economies. Research has acknowledged a number of encounters between women entrepreneurs and innovation opportunities. One identified opportunity is the application of technology to enable women entrepreneurs' access to market information with ease. This paper reports the cocreation process of a mobile application contextualized to Tanzanian women entrepreneurs to facilitate access to market information for improving their business performance and livelihood. Our study employs design science research (DSR) strategy for the cocreation and codesign of the mobile application artifact. After evaluating in the wild the mobile application, the women entrepreneurs participating in the study reported that through the codesigned mobile phone app access to market information is facilitated, and their business and the networks could be expanded. The contribution of our paper highlights the benefits of employing codesign and cocreation in combination with DSR to achieve a meaningful and contextualized virtual platform for accessing market information and for business networks expansion through direct contact with target consumers.
Gender difference in hepatic toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles after subchronic oral exposure in Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Chen Zhangjian , Zhou Di , Zhou Shupei , Jia Guang 
Published: January 2019

AbstractExisting literature pointed out that the liver may be the target organ of toxicity induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) via oral exposure. Gender differences in health effects widely exist and relevant toxicological research is important for safety assessment. To explore the gender susceptibility of TiO2 NP‐induced hepatic toxicity and the underlying mechanism, we examined female and male Sprague‐Dawley rats administrated with TiO2 NPs orally at doses of 0, 2, 10 and 50 mg/kg body weight per day for 90 days. The serum biochemical indicators and liver pathological observation were used to assess hepatic toxicity. We found significant hepatic toxicity could be induced by subchronic oral exposure to TiO2 NPs, which was more obvious and severe in female rats. No accumulation of TiO2 NPs in the liver was observed, indicating that hepatic toxicity may not be caused through direct pathways. Oxidized glutathione, lipid peroxidation products increased significantly and reduced glutathione decreased significantly in the liver of rats in repeated TiO2 NP‐exposed groups. Hematological parameters of white blood cells and inflammatory cytokines in serum including interleukin 1α, interleukin 4 and tumor necrosis factor also increased significantly. Indirect pathways through initiating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses were suggested as the possible mechanism of the hepatic toxicity in this experiment. The higher sensitivity to redox homeostasis imbalance and inflammation of female rats may be the main reason for gender differences. Our research suggested that gender should be a susceptible factor for identifying and monitoring long‐term oral toxicity of TiO2 NPs.
Tenofovir Causes Bone Loss via Decreased Bone Formation and Increased Bone Resorption, Which Can Be Counteracted by Dipyridamole in Mice
Authors: Conesa-Buendía Francisco Miguel , Llamas-Granda Patricia , Larrañaga-Vera Ane , Wilder Tuere , Largo Raquel , Herrero-Beaumont Gabriel , Cronstein Bruce , Mediero Aránzazu 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

Osteopenia and fragility fractures have been associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Tenofovir, a common antiviral in HIV treatment, also leads to increases in bone catabolism markers and decreased BMD in children and young adults. In murine models and human cell lines, tenofovir inhibits adenosine triphosphate release and decreases extracellular adenosine levels. Adenosine and adenosine A2A receptor inhibit osteoclast formation, and increase local adenosine concentration with dipyridamole, an agent that blocks adenosine cellular uptake and stimulates new bone formation as well as bone morphogenic protein 2. We hypothesized that tenofovir regulates bone resorption by diminishing endogenous adenosine levels and questioned whether dipyridamole may be a useful treatment to counteract the deleterous bone effects of tenofovir. Primary murine osteoclasts were induced by M-CSF/RANKL, and the number of TRAP-positive-cells was studied after challenge with tenofovir alone or in combination with dipyridamole. Differentiation markers were studied by RT-PCR and MAPK/NFkB expression by Western blot. Male C57Bl/6 mice were treated as follows: saline 0.9% (control), tenofovir 75 mg/kg/day, dipyridamole 25 mg/kg/day, combination tenofovir/dipyridamole (n = 10, 4 weeks). Calcein/Alizarin Red-labeling of newly formed bone was used, and long bones were prepared for micro-computed tomography (μCT)/histology. Tenofovir produced a dose-dependent increase in osteoclast differentiation (EC50 = 44.5nM) that was reversed by dipyridamole (IC50 = 0.3 μM). Tenofovir increased cathepsin K and NFATc1 mRNA levels and dipyridamole reversed the effect. Dipyridamole reversed the effect of tenofovir on pERK1/2, pp38, and NFkB nuclear translocation. Mice treated with tenofovir lost nearly 10% of their body weight (p &lt; 0.001). μCT revealed decreased BMD and altered trabecular bone in tenofovir-treated mice, reversed by dipyridamole. TRAP-staining showed increased osteoclasts in tenofovir-treated mice (p &lt; 0.005), an effect reversed by dipyridamole. Similar results were obtained for cathepsin K and CD68. RANKL-positive cells were increased in tenofovir-treated mice, whereas osteoprotegerin-positive cells were decreased; both effects were reversed by dipyridamole. These results suggest that treatment with agents that increase local adenosine concentrations, like dipyridamole, might prevent bone loss following tenofovir treatment. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Lack of Myosin X Enhances Osteoclastogenesis and Increases Cell Surface Unc5b in Osteoclast-Lineage Cells
Authors: Wang Bo , Pan Jin-Xiu , Yu Huali , Xiong Lei , Zhao Kai , Xiong Shan , Guo Jun-Peng , Lin Sen , Sun Dong , Zhao Lu , Guo Haohan , Mei Lin , Xiong Wen-Cheng 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

Normal bone mass is maintained by balanced bone formation and resorption. Myosin X (Myo10), an unconventional “myosin tail homology 4-band 4.1, ezrin, radixin, moesin” (MyTH4-FERM) domain containing myosin, is implicated in regulating osteoclast (OC) adhesion, podosome positioning, and differentiation in vitro. However, evidence is lacking for Myo10 in vivo function. Here we show that mice with Myo10 loss of function, Myo10m/m, exhibit osteoporotic deficits, which are likely due to the increased OC genesis and bone resorption because bone formation is unchanged. Similar deficits are detected in OC-selective Myo10 conditional knockout (cko) mice, indicating a cell autonomous function of Myo10. Further mechanistic studies suggest that Unc-5 Netrin receptor B (Unc5b) protein levels, in particular its cell surface level, are higher in the mutant OCs, but lower in RAW264.7 cells or HEK293 cells expressing Myo10. Suppressing Unc5b expression in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) from Myo10m/m mice by infection with lentivirus of Unc5b shRNA markedly impaired RANKL-induced OC genesis. Netrin-1, a ligand of Unc5b, increased RANKL-induced OC formation in BMMs from both wild-type and Myo10m/m mice. Taken together, these results suggest that Myo10 plays a negative role in OC formation, likely by inhibiting Unc5b cell-surface targeting, and suppressing Netrin-1 promoted OC genesis. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Ultrasound measurement of knee synovial fluid during external pneumatic compression
Authors: Meehan Richard , Wilson Chris , Hoffman Eric , Altimier Lynne , Kaessner Maryanne , Regan Elizabeth A. 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTSynovial fluid based biomarker research has been limited by the small volumes of synovial fluid from the knees of some patients. We used ultrasound (US) to determine if synovial fluid could be displaced into an access port during pneumatic compression to 100 mmHg. Forty knees from 37 consecutive arthritis patients with rheumatoid arthritis −25, osteoarthritis −8, psoriatic arthritis −2, and 1 each with systemic lupus erythematosus and gout were evaluated. This group of 28 females and 9 males with a median age of 59 years and an average body mass index of 26.9 kg/m2 had previously undergone a diagnostic arthrocentesis and or a therapeutic knee injection using this pneumatic compression device. Blinded digital image analysis of the anechoic region on ultrasound demonstrated an increase in fluid within the 9 cm × 6 cm access port (anterolateral or anteromedial joint) during inflation in all patients with a 2.5–3.5 fold increase in fluid area and a 2–3 fold increase in fluid depth after inflation, p < 0.001. Statement of clinical significance: External pneumatic compression to the knee provides a larger volume of synovial fluid under positive pressure which should allow investigators to achieve greater success in obtaining synovial fluid during arthrocentesis for biomarker research or provide more precise therapeutic injections than traditional non image‐guided anatomical landmark‐based techniques. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res