bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatially explicit poisoning risk affects survival rates of an obligate scavenger
Authors: Monadjem A. , Kane A. , Botha A. , Kelly C. , Murn C. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObligate scavengers such as vultures provide critical ecosystem services and their populations have undergone severe declines in Asia and Africa. Intentional poisoning is a major threat to vultures in Africa, yet the impact on vulture populations of where poisoned carcasses are positioned is not known. We used re-sightings of 183 African white-backed vultures captured and tagged in two regions of South Africa, some 200 km apart, to estimate spatial differences in relative survival rates across life stages. Juvenile survival rates were similar in the two regions, whilst subadult and adult survival rates differed significantly. Using agent-based modelling, we show that this pattern of relative survival rates is consistent between regions that differ in intensity of poisoning, despite the proximity of the two regions. This may have important consequences for vulture conservation and the targeting of conservation efforts, particularly with regard to the efficacy of “vulture safe zones” around vulture breeding populations.
A Multi-modality Approach Towards Elucidation of the Mechanism for Human Achilles Tendon Bending During Passive Ankle Rotation
Authors: Kinugasa Ryuta , Taniguchi Keigo , Yamamura Naoto , Fujimiya Mineko , Katayose Masaki , Takagi Shu , Edgerton V. Reggie , Sinha Shantanu 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe in vitro unconstrained Achilles tendon is nearly straight, while in vivo experiments reveal that the proximal region of the Achilles tendon, adjacent to Kager’s fat pad, bends ventrally during plantarflexion but remains nearly straight during dorsiflexion. Tendon bending is an important factor in determining the displacement of the foot compared to the shortening of the muscle fibers. The objective of this study was to elucidate the various mechanisms that could cause tendon bending, which currently remain unknown. Examination of Thiel-embalmed cadavers, with preservation of native articular joint mobility, revealed that the Achilles tendon still bent ventrally even when its surrounding tissues, including the skin surface, Kager’s fat pad, and distal portions of the soleus muscle were removed. Shear modulus and collagen fiber orientation were distributed homogeneously with respect to the longitudinal line of the tendon, minimizing their causative contributions to the bending. Given that tendon bending is not caused by either the nature of the deformations of the tissues surrounding the Achilles tendon or its physical properties, we conclude that it results from the geometric architecture of the Achilles tendon and its configuration with respect to the surrounding tissues.
Nutritionally recommended food for semi- to strict vegetarian diets based on large-scale nutrient composition data
Authors: Kim Seunghyeon , Fenech Michael F. , Kim Pan-Jun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDiet design for vegetarian health is challenging due to the limited food repertoire of vegetarians. This challenge can be partially overcome by quantitative, data-driven approaches that utilise massive nutritional information collected for many different foods. Based on large-scale data of foods’ nutrient compositions, the recent concept of nutritional fitness helps quantify a nutrient balance within each food with regard to satisfying daily nutritional requirements. Nutritional fitness offers prioritisation of recommended foods using the foods’ occurrence in nutritionally adequate food combinations. Here, we systematically identify nutritionally recommendable foods for semi- to strict vegetarian diets through the computation of nutritional fitness. Along with commonly recommendable foods across different diets, our analysis reveals favourable foods specific to each diet, such as immature lima beans for a vegan diet as an amino acid and choline source, and mushrooms for ovo-lacto vegetarian and vegan diets as a vitamin D source. Furthermore, we find that selenium and other essential micronutrients can be subject to deficiency in plant-based diets, and suggest nutritionally-desirable dietary patterns. We extend our analysis to two hypothetical scenarios of highly personalised, plant-based methionine-restricted diets. Our nutrient-profiling approach may provide a useful guide for designing different types of personalised vegetarian diets.
Retinal S-opsin dominance in Ansell’s mole-rats (Fukomys anselli) is a consequence of naturally low serum thyroxine
Authors: Henning Yoshiyuki , Mladěnková Nella , Burda Hynek , Szafranski Karol , Begall Sabine 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMammals usually possess a majority of medium-wavelength sensitive (M-) and a minority of short-wavelength sensitive (S-) opsins in the retina, enabling dichromatic vision. Unexpectedly, subterranean rodents from the genusFukomysexhibit an S-opsin majority, which is exceptional among mammals, albeit with no apparent adaptive value. Because thyroid hormones (THs) are pivotal forM-opsinexpression and metabolic rate regulation, we have, for the first time, manipulated TH levels in the Ansell’s mole-rat (Fukomys anselli) using osmotic pumps. In Ansell’s mole-rats, the TH thyroxine (T4) is naturally low, likely as an adaptation to the harsh subterranean ecological conditions by keeping resting metabolic rate (RMR) low. We measured gene expression levels in the eye, RMR, and body mass (BM) in TH-treated animals. T4 treatment increased both,S-andM-opsinexpression, albeitM-opsinexpression at a higher degree. However, this plasticity was only given in animals up to approximately 2.5 years. Mass-specific RMR was not affected following T4 treatment, although BM decreased. Furthermore, the T4 inactivation rate is naturally higher inF.ansellicompared to laboratory rodents. This is the first experimental evidence that the S-opsin majority in Ansell’s mole-rats is a side effect of low T4, which is downregulated to keep RMR low.
Transcriptional landscape of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and other repetitive elements in psoriatic skin
Authors: Lättekivi Freddy , Kõks Sulev , Keermann Maris , Reimann Ene , Prans Ele , Abram Kristi , Silm Helgi , Kõks Gea , Kingo Külli 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHuman endogenous retrovirus (HERV) sequences make up at least 8% of the human genome. Transcripts originating from these loci as well as proteins encoded by them have been detected in various tissues. HERVs are believed to be implicated in autoimmune diseases, however the extent to which, has remained unclear. Differential expression studies have so far been limited to certain HERV subfamilies with conserved sequences. No studies have been published describing the genome-wide expression pattern of HERVs and repetitive elements in the context of psoriasis. In the present study, we analysed total RNA sequencing data from skin samples of 12 psoriasis patients and 12 healthy controls, which enabled us to describe the entire transcriptional landscape of repetitive elements. We report high levels of repetitive element expression in the skin of psoriasis patients as well as healthy controls. The majority of differentially expressed elements were downregulated in lesional and non-lesional skin, suggesting active HERV suppression in the pro-inflammatory environment of psoriatic skin. However, we also report upregulation of a small subset of HERVs previously described in the context of autoimmune diseases, such as members of the HERV-K and W families, with the potential to affect the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis.
Intravenous administration of anti-inflammatory mesenchymal stem cell spheroids reduces chronic alcohol intake and abolishes binge-drinking
Authors: Ezquer Fernando , Morales Paola , Quintanilla María Elena , Santapau Daniela , Lespay-Rebolledo Carolyne , Ezquer Marcelo , Herrera-Marschitz Mario , Israel Yedy 
Published: March 2018

AbstractChronic alcohol intake leads to neuroinflammation and astrocyte dysfunction, proposed to perpetuate alcohol consumption and to promote conditioned relapse-like binge drinking. In the present study, human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were cultured in 3D-conditions to generate MSC-spheroids, which greatly increased MSCs anti-inflammatory ability and reduced cell volume by 90% versus conventionally 2D-cultured MSCs, enabling their intravenous administration and access to the brain. It is shown, in an animal model of chronic ethanol intake and relapse-drinking, that both the intravenous and intra-cerebroventricular administration of a single dose of MSC-spheroids inhibited chronic ethanol intake and relapse-like drinking by 80–90%, displaying significant effects over 3–5 weeks. The MSC-spheroid administration fully normalized alcohol-induced neuroinflammation, as shown by a reduced astrocyte activation, and markedly increased the levels of the astrocyte Na-glutamate (GLT-1) transporter. This research suggests that the intravenous administration of MSC-spheroids may constitute an effective new approach for the treatment of alcohol-use disorders.
ChIP-seq and ChIP-exo profiling of Pol II, H2A.Z, and H3K4me3 in human K562 cells
Authors: Mchaourab Zenab F. , Perreault Andrea A. , Venters Bryan J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe human K562 chronic myeloid leukemia cell line has long served as an experimental paradigm for functional genomic studies. To systematically and functionally annotate the human genome, the ENCODE consortium generated hundreds of functional genomic data sets, such as chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to sequencing (ChIP-seq). While ChIP-seq analyses have provided tremendous insights into gene regulation, spatiotemporal insights were limited by a resolution of several hundred base pairs. ChIP-exonuclease (ChIP-exo) is a refined version of ChIP-seq that overcomes this limitation by providing higher precision mapping of protein-DNA interactions. To study the interplay of transcription initiation and chromatin, we profiled the genome-wide locations for RNA polymerase II (Pol II), the histone variant H2A.Z, and the histone modification H3K4me3 using ChIP-seq and ChIP-exo. In this Data Descriptor, we present detailed information on parallel experimental design, data generation, quality control analysis, and data validation. We discuss how these data lay the foundation for future analysis to understand the relationship between the occupancy of Pol II and nucleosome positions at near base pair resolution.
Psychophysical Boundary for Categorization of Voiced–Voiceless Stop Consonants in Native Japanese Speakers
Authors: Tamura Shunsuke , Ito Kazuhito , Hirose Nobuyuki , Mori Shuji 
Published: March 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the psychophysical boundary used for categorization of voiced–voiceless stop consonants in native Japanese speakers.MethodTwelve native Japanese speakers participated in the experiment. The stimuli were synthetic stop consonant–vowel stimuli varying in voice onset time (VOT) with manipulation of the amplitude of the initial noise portion and the first formant (F1) frequency of the periodic portion. There were 3 tasks, namely, speech identification to either /d/ or /t/, detection of the noise portion, and simultaneity judgment of onsets of the noise and periodic portions.ResultsThe VOT boundaries of /d/–/t/ were close to the shortest VOT values that allowed for detection of the noise portion but not to those for perceived nonsimultaneity of the noise and periodic portions. The slopes of noise detection functions along VOT were as sharp as those of voiced–voiceless identification functions. In addition, the effects of manipulating the amplitude of the noise portion and the F1 frequency of the periodic portion on the detection of the noise portion were similar to those on voiced–voiceless identification.ConclusionThe psychophysical boundary of perception of the initial noise portion masked by the following periodic portion may be used for voiced–voiceless categorization by Japanese speakers.
Optimal scheduling strategy of active distribution system using brain storm optimisation algorithm
Authors: Jiandong Duan , Lupeng Chen , Qian Sun , Jing Wang , Teng Mu , Fuping Yan 
Published: March 2018

The optimal scheduling strategy of the active distribution system (ADS) is the core technology required to actively manage distributed clean energy resources (DERs) and to guarantee the safe and economical operation of ADS. This study presents an optimal dispatching model for the ADN on the basis of ADS itself and DERs features, whose purposes are making full use of clean energy resources, improving voltage quality and minimising the operational expenditures in a complete scheduling cycle by means of controllable DERs output. For the non‐linear model, the brain storm optimisation algorithm is applied to solve the optimal scheduling model of ADS. A large number of case studies using the improved IEEE33 nodes system demonstrate the validity of the proposed the strategy.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Chest Wall Involvement: Integrated Treatment or Surgery Alone?
Authors: Chiappetta Marco , Nachira Dania , Congedo Maria Teresa , Meacci Elisa , Porziella Venanzio , Margaritora Stefano 
Published: March 2018

Background The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors in patients affected by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with chest wall (CW) involvement, analyzing different strategies of treatment and surgical approaches.
Methods Records of 59 patients affected by NSCLC with CW involvement underwent surgery were retrospectively reviewed, from January 2000 to March 2013.
Results Induction therapy was administered to 18 (30.5%) patients while adjuvant treatment to 36 (61.0%). In 36 (61%) patients, lung resection was associated only with a parietal pleural resection while in 23 (39%) with CW en-bloc resection. Overall 5-year survival was 34%. Prognostic factors were evaluated in the 51 (86.4%) completely resected (R0) patients.Five-year survival was 60% in patients undergoing induction therapy followed by surgery and 24% in those who underwent surgery as first treatment (p = 0.11). Five-year survival was better in the neoadjuvant group than that in the surgery group in IIB (T3N0) p-stage (100 vs 28%, p = 0.03), while in the IIIA (T3N1–2,T4N0) p-stage it was of 25 vs 0%, respectively (p = 0.53).No 5-year survival difference was found in case of parietal pleural resection versus CW en-bloc resection (p = 0.27) and in case of only parietal pleural involvement versus soft tissue (p = 0.78).In case of incomplete resection (R1), patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy had better 2-year survival than patients untreated: 60% vs 0% (p = 0.025).
Conclusions Type of surgical resection and the deep of infiltration of disease do not influence survival in this subset of patients. Integrated treatments seem to be suitable: neoadjuvant therapies ensure a better survival rate than surgery alone in IIB and IIIA patients, instead adjuvant radiotherapy proves a fundamental option in incomplete resections.
Elective Cesarean Delivery at Term and the Long-Term Risk for Neurological Morbidity of the Offspring
Authors: Sheiner Eyal , Wainstock Tamar , Segal Idit , Sergienko Ruslan , Landau Daniella , Walfisch Asnat , Baumfeld Yael 
Published: March 2018

Objective The study's objective was to determine whether mode of delivery has an impact on the long-term risk for neurologic morbidity of the offspring.
Materials and Methods This population-based cohort analysis included all term singleton deliveries between 1991 and 2014. The study population was divided into two study group: elective cesarean deliveries (CD) versus vaginal deliveries (VD). Urgent cesarean deliveries, pregnancy, and delivery complications including preeclampsia and gestational diabetes were excluded. The evaluation of cumulative neurological hospitalization rate over time was performed with a Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to study the independent association between mode of delivery and neurological morbidity while controlling for potential confounders.
Results During the study period 132,054 deliveries met the inclusion criteria, 11,746 CD (8.9%), and 120,308 (91.1%) VD. A total of 3,626 neurological hospitalizations were documented with 2.70% (3,244) in the VD group as compared with 3.25% (382) in the CD group. The survival curves showed higher cumulative hospitalization rates in the CD as compared with the VD group (p ≤ 0.001). The Cox analysis demonstrated CD to be an independent risk factor for pediatric neurological hospitalizations (p < 0.001).
Conclusion Term elective CD is an independent risk factor for neurological morbidity of the offspring.
DEGUM Recommendations on Infection Prevention in Ultrasound and Endoscopic Ultrasound
Authors: Müller Thomas , Martiny Heike , Merz Eberhard , Döffert Jens , Wüstner Matthias , Lessel Wolfgang , Heynemann Hans , Enzmann Thomas , Dudwiesus Heiko , Nuernberg Dieter , Tesch Christian , Weber Marc , Krishnabhakdi Siegfried , Heil Jörg , Wree Alexander , Jenssen Christian 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMicrobial contamination of ultrasound probes for percutaneous or endoscopic use is common. However, infectious diseases caused by transmission of microorganisms by US procedures have rarely been reported. In Germany, legal regulations address hygiene in ultrasound procedures. Based on these regulations and the available literature, an expert panel of the German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM) has formulated sophisticated recommendations on hygienic measures in percutaneous and endoscopic US, including US-guided interventions.
Towards an unconscious neural reinforcement intervention for common fears
Authors: Taschereau-Dumouchel Vincent , Cortese Aurelio , Chiba Toshinori , Knotts J. D. , Kawato Mitsuo , Lau Hakwan 
Published: March 2018

Significance
Conventional therapies for the treatment of anxiety disorders are aversive, and as a result, many patients terminate treatment prematurely. We have developed an unconscious method to bypass the unpleasantness in conscious exposure using functional magnetic resonance imaging neural reinforcement. Using this method, participants learn to generate brain patterns similar to the multivariate brain pattern of a feared animal. We demonstrate in a double-blind placebo-controlled experiment that neural reinforcement can lead to reliable reductions in physiological fear responses. Crucially, this intervention can be achieved completely unconsciously and without any aversive reaction. Extending our approach to other forms of psychopathologies, such as posttraumatic stress disorders, might eventually provide another means of intervention for patients currently receiving insufficient exposure treatments.
Intermediate filament accumulation can stabilize microtubules inCaenorhabditis elegansmotor neurons
Authors: Kurup Naina , Li Yunbo , Goncharov Alexandr , Jin Yishi 
Published: March 2018

SignificanceA principal component of the nerve cell is its cytoskeleton—a network of actin, tubulin, and intermediate filament polymers that maintains cell structure, directs cell growth, and transport of cargo. Here, we show that intermediate filaments can alter the dynamics of microtubules to affect developmental synapse remodeling inCaenorhabditis elegans. Accumulation of intermediate filaments is concurrent with hyperstablization of microtubules, which in turn prevents synaptic vesicle transport during rewiring. Our results identify a regulatory role for intermediate filaments in neurons in vivo, providing insight into the mechanisms behind neurological disorders such as ALS, where patients often present with accumulations of intermediate filaments in dying nerve cells.
Mental imagery and fiction
Authors: Stokes Dustin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFictions evoke imagery, and their value consists partly in that achievement. This paper offers analysis of this neglected topic. Section 2 identifies relevant philosophical background. Section 3 offers a working definition of imagery. Section 4 identifies empirical work on visual imagery. Sections 5 and 6 criticize imagery essentialism, through the lens of genuine fictional narratives. This outcome, though, is not wholly critical. The expressed spirit of imagery essentialism is to encourage philosophers to ‘put the image back into the imagination’. The weakened conclusion is that while an image is not essential to imagining, it should be returned to our theories of imagination.
Trial Readiness in Cavernous Angiomas With Symptomatic Hemorrhage (CASH)
Authors: Polster Sean P , Cao Ying , Carroll Timothy , Flemming Kelly , Girard Romuald , Hanley Daniel , Hobson Nicholas , Kim Helen , Koenig James , Koskimäki Janne , Lane Karen , Majersik Jennifer J , McBee Nichol , Morrison Leslie , Shenkar Robert , Stadnik Agnieszka , Thompson Richard E , Zabramski Joseph , Zeineddine Hussein A , Awad Issam A 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Brain cavernous angiomas with symptomatic hemorrhage (CASH) are uncommon but exact a heavy burden of neurological disability from recurrent bleeding, for which there is no proven therapy. Candidate drugs to stabilize the CASH lesion and prevent rebleeding will ultimately require testing of safety and efficacy in multisite clinical trials. Much progress has been made in understanding the epidemiology of CASH, and novel biomarkers have been linked to the biological mechanisms and clinical activity in lesions. Yet, the ability to enroll and risk-stratify CASH subjects has never been assessed prospectively at multiple sites. Biomarkers and other outcomes have not been evaluated for their sensitivity and reliability, nor have they been harmonized across sites.

OBJECTIVE
To address knowledge gaps and establish a research network as infrastructure for future clinical trials, through the Trial Readiness grant mechanism, funded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/National Institutes of Health.

METHODS
This project includes an observational cohort study to assess (1) the feasibility of screening, enrollment rates, baseline disease categorization, and follow-up of CASH using common data elements at multiple sites, (2) the reliability of imaging biomarkers including quantitative susceptibility mapping and permeability measures that have been shown to correlate with lesion activity, and (3) the rates of recurrent hemorrhage and change in functional status and biomarker measurements during prospective follow-up.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES
We propose a harmonized multisite assessment of enrollment rates of CASH, baseline features relevant to stratification in clinical trials, and follow-up assessments of functional outcomes in relation to clinical bleeds. We introduce novel biomarkers of vascular leak and hemorrhage, with firm mechanistic foundations, which have been linked to clinical disease activity. We shall test their reliability and validity at multiple sites, and assess their changes over time, with and without clinical rebleeds, hence their fitness as outcome instruments in clinical trials.

DISCUSSION
The timing cannot be more opportune, with therapeutic targets identified, exceptional collaboration among researchers and the patient community, along with several drugs ready to benefit from development of a path to clinical testing using this network in the next 5 years.
Hepatitis C Treatment Outcomes for People Who Inject Drugs Treated in an Accessible Care Program Located at a Syringe Service Program
Authors: Eckhardt Benjamin J , Scherer Matthew , Winkelstein Emily , Marks Kristen , Edlin Brian R 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant public health problem that disproportionately afflicts people who inject drugs. We describe outcomes of HCV treatment co-located within a syringe services program (SSP). Fifty-three participants started therapy, and 91% achieved sustained virologic response. SSPs provide an effective venue for HCV treatment.