bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Affective Disturbances During Withdrawal from Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Inhalation in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J Male Mice
Authors: Sidhu Harpreet , Kreifeldt Max , Contet Candice 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundAlcohol use disorders are characterized by a complex behavioral symptomatology, which includes the loss of control over alcohol consumption and the emergence of a negative affective state when alcohol is not consumed. Some of these symptoms can be recapitulated in rodent models, for instance following chronic intermittent ethanol (EtOH; CIE) vapor inhalation. However, the detection of negative affect in mice withdrawn from CIE has proven challenging and variable between strains. This study aimed to detect reliable indices of negative emotionality in CIE‐exposed C57BL/6J (C57) and DBA/2J (DBA) mice. Males were used because they are known to escalate their voluntary EtOH consumption upon CIE exposure, which is hypothesized to be driven by negative reinforcement (relief from negative affect).MethodsAdult male mice were exposed to 4 to 6 weeks of CIE and were evaluated 3 to 10 days into withdrawal in the social approach, novelty‐suppressed feeding, digging, marble burying, and bottle brush tests.ResultsWithdrawal from CIE decreased sociability in DBA mice but not in C57 mice. Conversely, hyponeophagia was exacerbated by CIE in C57 mice but not in DBA mice. Withdrawal from CIE robustly increased digging activity in both strains, even in the absence of marbles. Aggressive responses to bottle brush attacks were elevated in both C57 and DBA mice following CIE exposure, but CIE had an opposite effect on defensive responses in the 2 strains (increase in C57 vs. decrease in DBA).ConclusionsOur results indicate that withdrawal from CIE elicits negative emotionality in both C57 and DBA mice, but different tests need to be used to measure the anxiogenic‐like effects of withdrawal in each strain. Increased digging activity and irritability‐like behavior represent novel indices of affective dysfunction associated with withdrawal from CIE in both mouse strains. Our findings enrich the characterization of the affective symptomatology of protracted withdrawal from CIE in mice.
Unsupervised, Statistically Based Systems Biology Approach for Unraveling the Genetics of Complex Traits: A Demonstration with Ethanol Metabolism
Authors: Lusk Ryan , Saba Laura M. , Vanderlinden Lauren A. , Zidek Vaclav , Silhavy Jan , Pravenec Michal , Hoffman Paula L. , Tabakoff Boris 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundA statistical pipeline was developed and used for determining candidate genes and candidate gene coexpression networks involved in 2 alcohol (i.e., ethanol [EtOH]) metabolism phenotypes, namely alcohol clearance and acetate area under the curve in a recombinant inbred (RI) (HXB/BXH) rat panel. The approach was also used to provide an indication of how EtOH metabolism can impact the normal function of the identified networks.MethodsRNA was extracted from alcohol‐naïve liver tissue of 30 strains of HXB/BXH RI rats. The reconstructed transcripts were quantitated, and data were used to construct gene coexpression modules and networks. A separate group of rats, comprising the same 30 strains, were injected with EtOH (2 g/kg) for measurement of blood EtOH and acetate levels. These data were used for quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of the rate of EtOH disappearance and circulating acetate levels. The analysis pipeline required calculation of the module eigengene values, the correction of these values with EtOH metabolism rates and acetate levels across the rat strains, and the determination of the eigengene QTLs. For a module to be considered a candidate for determining phenotype, the module eigengene values had to have significant correlation with the strain phenotypic values and the module eigengene QTLs had to overlap the phenotypic QTLs.ResultsOf the 658 transcript coexpression modules generated from liver RNA sequencing data, a single module satisfied all criteria for being a candidate for determining the alcohol clearance trait. This module contained 2 alcohol dehydrogenase genes, including the gene whose product was previously shown to be responsible for the majority of alcohol elimination in the rat. This module was also the only module identified as a candidate for influencing circulating acetate levels. This module was also linked to the process of generation and utilization of retinoic acid as related to the autonomous immune response.ConclusionsWe propose that our analytical pipeline can successfully identify genetic regions and transcripts which predispose a particular phenotype and our analysis provides functional context for coexpression module components.
A conceptual model of vegetation dynamics for the unique obligate‐seeder eucalypt woodlands of south‐western Australia
Authors: Gosper Carl R. , Yates Colin J. , Cook Garry D. , Harvey Judith M. , Liedloff Adam C. , McCaw W. Lachlan , Thiele Kevin R. , Prober Suzanne M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractModels of vegetation dynamics framed as testable hypotheses provide powerful tools for predicting vegetation change in response to contemporary disturbances or climate change. Synthesizing existing information and applying new data, we develop a conceptual model of vegetation states and transitions for the previously overlooked woodlands dominated by obligate‐seeder eucalypts of dry to semi‐arid south‐western Australia. These comprise the largest extant temperate woodland globally, are uniquely dominated by a high diversity of obligate‐seeder eucalypts (55 taxa), but are under threat from wildfire. Our conceptual model incorporates four critical ecological processes that also distinguish obligate‐seeder woodlands from temperate woodlands dominated by resprouting eucalypts: (i) a lack of well‐protected epicormic buds results in major disturbances (prominently fire) being stand‐replacing. The pre‐disturbance tree cohort is killed, followed by dense post‐disturbance recruitment from seed shed from a serotinous seed bank; (ii) competition between saplings leads to self‐thinning over a multi‐century timeframe, with surviving individuals having great longevity (regularly >400 years); (iii) multiple processes limit recruitment in the absence of stand‐replacement disturbances, leading to frequent single‐cohort stands. However, unlike the few other obligate‐seeder eucalypt communities, trickle recruitment in very long‐unburnt stands can facilitate indefinite community persistence in the absence of stand‐replacement disturbances; and (iv) discontinuous fuels, relatively low understorey flammability (low grass and often high chenopod cover) and topographic barriers to fire (salt lakes) allow mature woodlands to persist for centuries without burning. Notably though, evidence suggests that flammability peaks at intermediate times since fire, establishing a ‘flammability bottleneck’ (or landscape fire trap) through which regenerating woodlands must pass. Our model provides a framework to support management to conserve obligate‐seeder eucalypt woodlands. Research into reasons for exceptional tree heights relative to ecosystem productivity, the evolution of diverse and dominant obligate‐seeder eucalypts, the paucity of grass, and the recent spatial distribution of fires, will further inform conservation management.
Inflammatory cell indexes as preoperative predictors of hospital stay in open elective thoracic surgery
Authors: Paliogiannis Panagiotis , Ginesu Giorgio C. , Tanda Cinzia , Feo Claudio F. , Fancellu Alessandro , Fois Alessandro G. , Mangoni Arduino A. , Sotgia Salvatore , Carru Ciriaco , Porcu Alberto , Zinellu Angelo 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundShorter and safer hospital stay (HS) is a desired outcome for patients undergoing thoracic surgery. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the predictive capacity of a series of pre‐defined inflammatory cell indexes based on preoperative complete blood counts, towards length of HS in open elective thoracic surgery.MethodsWe retrospectively studied 157 consecutive patients undergoing open elective thoracic surgery. Preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte, platelet to lymphocyte and lymphocyte to monocyte ratios were calculated, and the red cell distribution width and mean platelet volume were registered. In addition, the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) and a further derivative index, the aggregate inflammation systemic index (AISI) were calculated.ResultsStatistically significant and positive correlations were observed between HS and SIRI, and between HS and AISI. In multiple logistic regression analysis, after dividing the patients in groups with normal and prolonged HS and adjusting for several confounders, only AISI was independently associated with HS.ConclusionsOur results suggest that simple, inexpensive and widely available inflammatory cell indexes like SIRI and, particularly AISI, can be useful for the early identification of patients at risk of prolonged HS in open elective thoracic surgery.
The area of fixation covaries with short‐term changes in visual acuity after anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor treatment in patients with diabetic macular oedema
Authors: Jakobsen Nanna Stæhr , Larsen Dorte Ancher , Bek Toke 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPurposeDiabetic maculopathy can be treated with intravitreal injection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. However, the therapy is not effective in all patients, and it would be desirable to have parameters for differentiating patients who will benefit from treatment from those who will not. Retinal fixation has been shown to be impaired in patients with low visual acuity (VA) secondary to macular disease, but the changes in fixational eye movements after anti‐VEGFtreatment for diabetic maculopathy have not been investigated.MethodsRetinal fixation was studied in 29 patients with diabetic macular oedema before three monthly anti‐VEGFinjections, and 1 and 4 months after the last injection. The change in VA was correlated with changes in area, frequency, amplitude and total number of fixational saccades.ResultsDuring three monthly injections, best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) increased from (mean ± SD) 74.0 ± 11.5 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters to 78.3 ± 9.8ETDRSletters, (p = 0.003) and central retinal thickness (CRT) decreased from (mean ± SD) 441.7 ± 107.0 μm to 339.5 ± 74.2 μm, (p = <0.0001), which was followed by the opposite changes after treatment (BCVAreduced nonsignificantly to 77.5 ± 10.4ETDRSletters (p = 0.06), andCRTincreased to 393.0 ± 9.8 μm, p = <0.0001). Both improvement and worsening ofBCVAcorrelated with the fixation area (r2 = 0.28, p = 0.003 andr2 = 0.14, p = 0.045, respectively), but only improvement ofBCVAcorrelated with the frequency (r2 = 0.15, p = 0.037) and total number of saccades (r2 = 0.18, p = 0.02).BCVAshowed no correlation with the amplitude and most frequently occurring saccade amplitude.ConclusionFixational eye movements may be used to monitor short‐term effects of anti‐VEGFtreatment on diabetic macular oedema. Future studies should aim at investigating a possible predictive value of fixational eye movements for visual function in the long term.
Validation of a short Korean version of the UPPS‐P Impulsive Behavior Scale
Authors: Lim Sun Young , Kim Seog Ju 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe purpose of the present study was to validate a Korean version of the short UPPS‐P Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS‐P).MethodsThis study included 724 undergraduate students who completed the following questionnaires: the Korean UPPS‐P, Beck Depression Inventory, State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, Eating Disorder Inventory‐2, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, and Canadian Problem Gambling Index.ResultsA confirmatory factor analysis supported a 5‐factor interrelated model. The internal consistency coefficients for the 5 factors of the short Korean UPPS‐P were acceptable (.65‐.78 across the subscales), and the subscales of the short Korean UPPS‐P were strongly correlated with the long UPPS‐P subscales. External validity was demonstrated by associations between the subfactors of impulsivity and various psychopathologies, including depression, anxiety, binge eating, alcohol abuse, and gambling.DiscussionThe present results indicate that the short Korean version of the UPPS‐P may be a useful and reliable alternative to the original long‐form UPPS‐P.
Order in Asia Beyond Power Transition: Understanding China's Rise, Changing International Roles and Grand Strategies
Authors: Fumagalli Matteo 
Published: April 2018

The possibility of war in East Asia has increased in 2017, mainly as a result of the heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing and the escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula. This has made the risks of strategic miscalculation, and thus an ensuing outbreak of war in Asia, conceivable.Handling the rise of China—and what it means for other countries—will be the single greatest challenge of the 21st century. The books reviewed in this article all ask important questions about the effects of China's rise on East Asia and its relationships with near and distant powers. Taken together, their added value is twofold: one, they return interactions and relationships to the analytical center stage of International Relations; two, they place China squarely at the center of contemporary IR theorizing.
Apical surface ring formation in Cyprinus carpio scale epidermis
Authors: DePasquale Joseph A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractApical Rings (ARs) are novel circular structures located at the apical surface of fish scale epidermal cells. Different stages in the life cycle of ARs were established using time‐lapse video microscopy of Koi scale epidermis in situ. The organization of the F‐actin cytoskeleton corresponding to the stages of ring formation in live tissue was determined from phalloidin staining of scale epidermis. ARs form from localized swollen regions of microridges that subsequently elongate laterally, progressing into complete circles with well‐defined inner and outer borders that encircle unperturbed microridges. The ARs close in a centripetal movement to form a circular structure, the terminal disc, and subsequently an underlying vesicle, the terminal body. During this latter stage, a rapid rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton occurs resulting in the emergence of a newly identified corkscrew‐like structure, termed the Helical Core. Furthermore, fluid‐phase markers are incorporated into the terminal bodies, identifying these vesicles as macropinosomes. The findings are discussed with respect to F‐actin organization and macropinocytosis at the epidermal surface of fish.
Single‐ and multiple‐dose escalation study to assess pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of oral esaxerenone in healthy Japanese subjects
Authors: Kato Manabu , Furuie Hidetoshi , Shimizu Takako , Miyazaki Atsuhiro , Kobayashi Fumiaki , Ishizuka Hitoshi 
Published: April 2018

AimsTo characterize the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of esaxerenone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, in healthy adult Japanese men.MethodsDouble‐blind, placebo‐controlled, sequential, dose‐escalation studies were conducted in subjects randomized to receive oral once‐daily esaxerenone (ranges: 5–200 mg [single‐dose]; 10–100 mg over 10 days [multiple‐dose]) or placebo under fasting conditions. Plasma concentrations were analysed by liquid chromatograph–tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by noncompartment analysis. Plasma/urine levels of pharmacodynamic biomarkers for mineralocorticoid receptor activity were evaluated.ResultsIn total, 48/48 and 39/40 subjects completed the single‐ and multiple‐dose studies, respectively. Exposures were generally dose‐proportional. The tmax, t1/2 and CL/F remained unchanged, independent of dose; the respective ranges were 1.5–4.0 h, 22.3–25.1 h, and 4.0–5.2 l h–1 (multiple‐dose study). Vz/F ranged from 136.5 to 283.7 l in the multiple‐dose study, and exposure reached steady state by day 4. The mean observed accumulation ratio, by dose, ranged from 1.36–1.98. The urinary Na+/K+ ratio increased after single‐dose administration; however, its relationship to the doses tested remains unclear. Plasma renin activity, active renin concentration and aldosterone concentration increased dose‐dependently. Although blood potassium levels increased dose‐dependently in the multiple‐dose study (reaching a maximum mean ± standard deviation of 4.63 ± 0.354 mmol l–1 in the 100‐mg group), no safety/tolerability‐related problems were detected in either study.ConclusionsExposure levels in healthy adults receiving esaxerenone were generally dose‐proportional. Dose‐dependent changes in plasma pharmacodynamic biomarkers for the mineralocorticoid receptor were identified during multiple‐dose treatment and support the pharmacological activity of esaxerenone. No important safety concerns were identified.
Effects of increasing hydrophobicity by N‐terminal myristoylation on the antibacterial and hemolytic activities of the C‐terminal cationic segments of human‐β‐defensins 1–3
Authors: Krishnakumari Viswanatha , Guru Ankeeta , Adicherla Harikrishna , Nagaraj Ramakrishnan 
Published: April 2018

Analogs of the cationic C‐terminal segments of human‐β‐defensinsHBD1‐3, Phd1‐3 with a single disulfide bond, exhibited comparable antimicrobial activity that was salt sensitive. They did not show hemolytic activity. In this study, N‐terminal myristoylation was carried out on Phd1‐3 to examine whether increasing hydrophobicity would result in improved antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity of the oxidized myristoylated peptidesMPhd1‐3 and their reduced formsMPhd1r‐3r was determined. These peptides showed enhanced antibacterial activity as compared to Phd1‐3, on mid‐log phase and stationary phase ofStaphylococcus aureusandEscherichia coli,exceptMPhd1r‐3r that were inactive on stationary‐phaseE. coli. In the presence of 150 mmNaCl,MPhd1‐3 showed activity againstS. aureus.MPhd1and two exhibited activity againstE. colibutMPhd3 was inactive. Zeta potential measurements indicated thatMPhd1‐3 were more effective in surface charge neutralization of bacteria as compared to Phd1‐3.MPhd1‐3 exhibited hemolytic activity to varying extents withMPhd1 being most hemolytic. The data indicate that myristoylation enhances antibacterial activity and modulates hemolytic activity to different extents. Apart from hydrophobicity, distribution of cationic residues inMPhd1‐3 plays important roles for these activities.
Anhedonia in depression and schizophrenia: A transdiagnostic challenge
Authors: Lambert Clare , Da Silva Susana , Ceniti Amanda K. , Rizvi Sakina J. , Foussias George , Kennedy Sidney H. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryBackgroundAnhedonia, as a dysregulation of the reward circuit, is present in both Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia (SZ).AimsTo elucidate the clinical and neurobiological differences between schizophrenia (SZ) and depression (MDD) in regard to anhedonia, while reconciling the challenges and benefits of assessing anhedonia as a transdiagnostic feature under the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework.MethodsIn this review, we summarize data from publications examining anhedonia or its underlying reward deficits in SZ and MDD. A literature search was conducted in OVID Medline, PsycINFO and EMBASE databases between 2000 and 2017.ResultsWhile certain subgroups share commonalities, there are also important differences. SZ may be characterized by a disorganization, rather than a deficiency, in reward processing and cognitive function, including inappropriate energy expenditure and focus on irrelevant cues. In contrast, MDD has been characterized by deficits in anticipatory pleasure, development of reward associations, and integration of information from past experience. Understanding the roles of neurotransmitters and aberrant brain circuitry is necessary to appreciate differences in reward function in SZ and MDD.ConclusionAnhedonia as a clinical presentation of reward circuit dysregulation is an important and relatively undertreated symptom of both SZ and MDD. In order to improve patient outcomes and quality of life, it is important to consider how anhedonia fits into both diagnoses.
Understanding jugular venous outflow disturbance
Authors: Zhou Da , Ding Jia‐Yue , Ya Jing‐Yuan , Pan Li‐Qun , Yan Feng , Yang Qi , Ding Yu‐Chuan , Ji Xun‐Ming , Meng Ran 
Published: April 2018

SummaryExtracranial venous abnormalities, especially jugular venous outflow disturbance, were originally viewed as nonpathological phenomena due to a lack of realization and exploration of their feature and clinical significance. The etiology and pathogenesis are still unclear, whereas a couple of causal factors have been conjectured. The clinical presentation of this condition is highly variable, ranging from insidious to symptomatic, such as headaches, dizziness, pulsatile tinnitus, visual impairment, sleep disturbance, and neck discomfort or pain. Standard diagnostic criteria are not available, and current diagnosis largely depends on a combinatory use of imaging modalities. Although few researches have been conducted to gain evidence‐based therapeutic approach, several recent advances indicate that intravenous angioplasty in combination with stenting implantation may be a safe and efficient way to restore normal blood circulation, alleviate the discomfort symptoms, and enhance patients’ quality of life. In addition, surgical removal of structures that constrain the internal jugular vein may serve as an alternative or adjunctive management when endovascular intervention is not feasible. Notably, discussion on every aspect of this newly recognized disease entity is in the infant stage and efforts with more rigorous designed, randomized controlled studies in attempt to identify the pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and effective approaches to its treatment will provide a profound insight into this issue.
Stable Causal Relationships Are Better Causal Relationships
Authors: Vasilyeva Nadya , Blanchard Thomas , Lombrozo Tania 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe report three experiments investigating whether people's judgments about causal relationships are sensitive to the robustness orstabilityof such relationships across a range of background circumstances. In Experiment 1, we demonstrate that people are more willing to endorse causal and explanatory claims based on stable (as opposed to unstable) relationships, even when the overall causal strength of the relationship is held constant. In Experiment 2, we show that this effect is not driven by a causal generalization's actual scope of application. In Experiment 3, we offer evidence that stable causal relationships may be seen as better guides to action. Collectively, these experiments document a previously underappreciated factor that shapes people's causal reasoning: the stability of the causal relationship.
The Reference of Proper Names: Testing Usage and Intuitions
Authors: Devitt Michael , Porot Nicolas 
Published: April 2018

AbstractExperiments on theories of reference have mostly tested referential intuitions. We think that experiments should rather be testing linguistic usage. Substantive Aim (I): to test classical description theories of proper names against usage by “elicited production.” Our results count decisively against those theories. Methodological Aim (I): Machery, Olivola, and de Blanc () claim that truth‐value judgment experiments test usage. Martí () disagrees. We argue that Machery et al. are right and offer some results that are consistent with that conclusion. Substantive Aim (II): Machery et al. provide evidence that the usage of a name varies, being sometimes descriptive, sometimes not. In seven out of eight tests of usage, we did not replicate this variation. Methodological Aim (II): to test the reliability of referential intuitions by comparing them with linguistic usage. Earlier studies led us to predict that we would find those intuitions unreliable, but we did not. Our results add to evidence that tests of referential intuition are susceptible to unpredictable wording effects.