bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genotypic variability following fusion in the invasive colonial tunicate Didemnum vexillum
Authors: Weinberg Rachel Beth , Clancy Darragh Lillian , Cohen C. Sarah 
Published: September 2019

AbstractFusion to form a chimera has been documented in many marine invertebrate taxa, including poriferans, cnidarians, bryozoans, and colonial ascidians. Allogenic interactions in chimeric ascidian colonies vary widely across taxonomic groups but are poorly characterized in the invasive colonial ascidian Didemnum vexillum. The moderate level of discrimination expressed in the fusion–rejection response of D. vexillum suggests that there is some integration of cells beyond the fusion line in a chimeric colony. We tracked the shifts in representation of microsatellite alleles between fused colonies of D. vexillum to elucidate the extent of genotypic integration in fused colonies and the patterns of changes to the genotypic composition of colonies immediately following chimera formation. By genotyping colonies before and after fusion, we found that allogeneic fusion in D. vexillum may lead to genotypic changes beyond the visible fusion line. Alleles from one colony were found in multiple tissue samples in the chimera 7–10 days after fusion had occurred. In some instances, alleles that were in a single colony prior to fusion were lost following fusion. We observed multiple patterns of allelic change, including both the unidirectional transfer and reciprocal exchange of alleles between fused colonies. Our findings suggest that tissue or cells are exchanged following allogeneic fusion between colonies of D. vexillum and that the genotypic composition of chimeric colonies may be fluid.
LINC01303 functions as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate EZH2 expression by sponging miR‐101‐3p in gastric cancer
Authors: Cao Chen , Xu Ying , Du Ke , Mi Chenyang , Yang Chuanhua , Xiang Lili , Xie Yan , Liu Wenneng 
Published: September 2019

AbstractLong non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) is one of the important regulators of many malignancies. However, the biological function and clinical significance of a large number of lncRNAs in gastric cancer remain unclear. Therefore, we analysed the TCGA data to find that LINC01303 is significantly up‐regulated in gastric cancer tissues. However, the biological function of LINC01303 in GC remains unknown. In our study, we found that the expression of LINC01303 was significantly higher in GC tissues than in adjacent tissues by real‐time quantitative PCR. We can significantly inhibit the malignant proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells by silencing LINC01303 expression. In addition, LINC01303 knockdown can also inhibit GC growth in vivo. After the bioinformatics analysis, we found that LINC01303 can be used as a miR‐101‐3p sponge to competitively adsorb miR‐101‐3p with EZH2. Therefore, our results indicate that LINC01303 promotes the expression of EZH2 by inhibiting miR‐101‐3p activity and promotes GC progression. In summary, in this study, we demonstrated for the first time that the LINC01303/miR‐101‐3p/EZH2 axis promotes GC progression.
Critical evaluation of arguments opposing male circumcision: A systematic review
Authors: Morris Brian J , Moreton Stephen , Krieger John N 
Published: September 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo systematically evaluate evidence against male circumcision (MC).MethodsWe searched PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Cochrane databases.ResultsDatabase searches retrieved 297 publications for inclusion. Bibliographies of these yielded 101 more. After evaluation we found: Claims that MC carries high risk were contradicted by low frequency of adverse events that were virtually all minor and easily treated with complete resolution. Claims that MC causes psychological harm were contradicted by studies finding no such harm. Claims that MC impairs sexual function and pleasure were contradicted by high‐quality studies finding no adverse effect. Claims disputing the medical benefits of MC were contradicted by a large body of high‐quality evidence indicating protection against a wide range of infections, dermatological conditions, and genital cancers in males and the female sexual partners of men. Risk‐benefit analyses reported that benefits exceed risks by 100‐200 to 1. To maximize benefits and minimize risks, the evidence supported early infant MC rather than arguments that the procedure should be delayed until males are old enough to decide for themselves. Claims that MC of minors is unethical were contradicted by balanced evaluations of ethical issues supporting the rights of children to be provided with low‐risk, high‐benefit interventions such as MC for better health. Expert evaluations of case‐law supported the legality of MC of minors. Other data demonstrated that early infant MC is cost‐saving to health systems.ConclusionsArguments opposing MC are supported mostly by low‐quality evidence and opinion, and are contradicted by strong scientific evidence.
Color stability of repairs on bis‐acryl resin submitted to thermal aging and immersion in beverages
Authors: Silva Joseane , Rafael Caroline F. , Vaz Paula C. S. , Fernandes João C. A. S. , Volpato Claudia A. M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractObjectiveDefects/bubbles can occur during the manufacture of bis‐acryl resin provisional restorations, requiring repair or new prosthesis. This study evaluated the color stability of bis‐acryl resin specimens repaired, aging, and immersioned in beverages.Material and methodsEighty disks were made of bis‐acryl resin. Twenty disks were not repaired (BCR), 20 disks were repaired with the same bis‐acryl resin (BCR‐BCR), 20 disks were repaired with flowable resin (BCR‐FR), and 20 disks received an adhesive layer prior to flowable resin repair (BCR‐AFR). Coordinates L*a*b* were obtained. Ten disks from each group were thermocycled (5000 cycles) and the others were immersed in coffee with sugar (n = 5) and cola‐based soft drinks (n = 5) for 7 days. Color, lightness, chroma, and hue differences were calculated by the CIEDE2000 formula, analyzed by two‐way analysis of variance. Multiple comparisons were made with the Tukey's HSD test (α = .05).ResultsBCR‐FR group presented the highest color differences (5.6) between groups repaired (P < .001). BCR‐BCR group showed the smallest color differences (0.9) after aging (P = .003), but the greatest variation between T0 and T1 (about 1 ΔE). BCR‐ARF immersed in coffee showed the greatest color differences (20.6) (P < .001).ConclusionsAging and immersion altered the colorimetric behavior of repairs, especially after the use of coffee.Clinical implicationsRepairs are indicated when defects and bubbles are present in the surface of the bis‐acryl resin provisional restorations after its manufacture. However, they may present noticeable color changes, especially when the use of coffee is frequent.
Application of an olfactory system to detect and distinguish bitter chocolates with different percentages of cocoa
Authors: Nouri Behzad , Mohtasebi Seyed Saeid , Jahanbakhshi Ahmad 
Published: September 2019

AbstractChocolate is one of the most consumed products in the world. Chocolate is a mixture of roasted cocoa beans and ultrafine particles of sugar (or without containing cocoa butter). The mixture is supplied with different percentages of cocoa in the market. In this research, the ability of an olfactory system is evaluated as a fast, nondestructive, and low‐cost method to detect bitter chocolates with different cocoa percentages. For this purpose, bitter chocolates with three different percentages of cocoa (78, 85, and 96%) were selected for evaluation. Separation rate of electronic nose (E‐nose) dataset obtained 99%, by using principal components analysis method. To assess the classification accuracy of the bitter chocolate samples, linear discriminant analysis, and support vector machine applied. The results showed that both methods were able to classify bitter chocolates of different percentages of cocoa with the highest accuracy of 100%. This research demonstrates the potential of using the olfactory system as a fast, nondestructive, low‐cost, and reliable method for distinguishing and categorizing different cocoa percentages in bitter chocolates with high precision.Practical applicationsMost researches were focused on a specific percentage of cocoa, while there are few reports on the detection of different percentages of cocoa of the same type. In our study, the linear discriminant analysis and support vector machine methods were employed to the distinguishing of various percentages of cocoa of same type (bitter chocolate), and it was observed that both methods achieved the better classification performance, which indicated the feasibility of distinguishing different percentages by E‐nose. It is well‐known that the detection of different cocoa percentages from the same type would take a long time and require developed instrumental laborites with experts, thus it is of great significance to establish a rapid nondestructive detection method for the related study in the field of the cocoa industry.
Land raising as a solution to sea‐level rise: An analysis of coastal flooding on an artificial island in the Maldives
Authors: Brown Sally , Wadey Matthew P. , Nicholls Robert J. , Shareef Ali , Khaleel Zammath , Hinkel Jochen , Lincke Daniel , McCabe Maurice V. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe Maldives (land elevation approximately 1 m above mean sea level) is often associated with the threat of rising sea levels. Land scarcity due to population pressure is also a major issue. In the late 1990s a new 1.9km2 1.8 m high artificial island, Hulhumalé was created for urban expansion, including an allowance for sea‐level rise. This paper assesses flood exposure through an extreme water level scenario on Hulhumalé taking into account sea‐level rise and analyses potential adaptation options to extend island life. Results indicate that overtopping is likely to occur with 0.6 ± 0.2 m of sea‐level rise, with more severe, widespread flooding with 0.9 ± 0.2 m of sea‐level rise. If the Paris Agreement goals are met, flooding is not anticipated this century. However, under a non‐mitigation scenario, flooding could occur by the 2090s. Building seawalls 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m high could delay flooding for 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 m of sea‐level rise, respectively. Land raising has been successful in Hulhumalé in reducing flood risk simultaneous to addressing development needs. Whilst new land claim and raising can be cost‐effective, raising developed land provides greater challenges, such as timeliness with respect to infrastructure design lives or financial costs. Thus the transferability and long‐term benefits of land raising requires further consideration.
Impact of perioperative high mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 expression on long‐term outcomes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tsujimoto Hironori , Horiguchi Hiroyuki , Takahata Risa , Ono Satoshi , Yaguchi Yoshihisa , Nomura Shinsuke , Ito Nozomi , Harada Manabu , Nagata Hiromi , Ishibashi Yusuke , Kouzu Keita , Tsuchiya Satoshi , Itazaki Yujiro , Fujishima Seiichiro , Kishi Yoji , Ueno Hideki 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackground and AimHigh mobility group box chromosomal protein‐1 (HMGB‐1) is a potential late mediator of sepsis and a possible risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications after esophagectomy. This study aimed to determine the relationship between HMGB‐1 and clinicopathological factors and long‐term prognosis after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.MethodsWe measured perioperative serum HMGB‐1 levels using ELISA and HMGB‐1 protein by immunohistochemistry expression in resected specimens.ResultsPostoperative serum HMGB‐1 levels were significantly higher than preoperative levels. Preoperative serum HMGB‐1 levels were significantly higher in patients with more intraoperative bleeding, longer intensive care unit stays, and postoperative pneumonia. Postoperative serum HMGB‐1 levels were significantly higher in older patients and those with longer operation time and more intraoperative bleeding. There were significant differences in long‐term outcomes according to postoperative but not preoperative serum HMGB‐1 levels. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that advanced pathological stage, postoperative pulmonary complications, and higher postoperative serum HMGB‐1 levels were independently associated with relapse‐free survival and overall survival. Preoperative serum HMGB‐1 levels were significantly higher in patients with high HMGB‐1 expression than those with low HMGB‐1 expression by immunohistochemistry, whereas such statistical differences were not observed in postoperative serum HMGB‐1. There were no differences in relapse‐free survival and overall survival according to HMGB‐1 expression by immunohistochemistry. Serum HMGB‐1 levels were significantly increased after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.ConclusionElevated postoperative serum HMGB‐1, which was associated not only with poor long‐term but also short‐term outcomes such as postoperative complications, might serve as a potential marker for prognosis in esophageal cancer.
Sympathetic nerve tissue in milky spots of the human greater omentum
Authors: Cleypool Cindy G. J. , Schurink Bernadette , van der Horst Dorinde E. M. , Bleys Ronald L. A. W. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractOmental milky spots (OMSs), small lymphoid structures positioned in the greater omentum, are involved in peritoneal immune homeostasis and the formation of omental metastases. Sympathetic nerve activity is known to regulate immune function in other lymphoid organs (e.g. spleen and lymph nodes) and to create a favourable microenvironment for various tumour types. However, it is still unknown whether OMSs receive sympathetic innervation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish whether OMSs of the adult human greater omentum receive sympathetic innervation. A total of 18 OMSs were isolated from five omenta, which were removed from 3% formaldehyde‐perfused cadavers (with a median age of 84 years, ranging from 64 to 94). OMSs were embedded in paraffin, cut and stained with a general (PGP9.5) and sympathetic nerve marker (TH and DBH), and evaluated by bright field microscopy. A T‐cell, B‐cell, and macrophage staining was performed to confirm OMS identity. In 50% of the studied OMSs, sympathetic nerve fibres were observed at multiple levels of the same OMS. Nerve fibres were represented as dots or elongated structures and often observed in relation to small vessels and occasionally as individual structures residing between lymphoid cells. The current study shows that 50% of the investigated OMSs contain sympathetic nerve fibres. These findings may contribute to our understanding of neural regulation of peritoneal immune response and the involvement of OMSs in omental metastases.
The relative effects of prey availability, anthropogenic pressure and environmental variables on lion (Panthera leo) site use in Tanzania's Ruaha landscape during the dry season
Authors: Abade L. , Cusack J. , Moll R. J. , Strampelli P. , Dickman A. J. , Macdonald D. W. , Montgomery R. A. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAfrican lion (Panthera leo) populations have been reduced by almost half in the past two decades, with national parks and game reserves maintaining vital source populations, particularly in East Africa. However, much of the habitats necessary to support lion populations occur in unprotected lands surrounding protected areas. There is an ongoing need for understanding the ecological determinants of lion occurrence in these unprotected habitats, where lions are most vulnerable to extinction. This study evaluated variations in lion site use along a gradient of anthropogenic pressure encompassing the Ruaha National Park, Pawaga‐Idodi Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and unprotected village lands via camera‐trapping. We collected lion occurrence data in the dry seasons of 2014 and 2015, and modelled lion site use as a function of environmental and anthropogenic variables under a Bayesian framework. We recorded 143 lion detections within the national park, 14 in the WMA and no detections in village lands. This result does not imply that lions never use the village lands, but rather that we did not detect them in our surveys during the dry season. Our findings suggest that lion site use was primarily associated with high seasonal wild prey biomass in protected areas. Thus, we infer that human‐induced prey depletion and lion mortality are compromising lion site use of village lands. Seasonal prey movements, and a corresponding concentration inside the park during sampling, could also play an important role in lion site use. These findings reinforce the need to secure large‐bodied prey base to conserve lions, and the importance of protected areas as key refugia for the species.
Rapid behavioural responses of native frogs caused by past predation pressure from invasive mongooses
Authors: Komine H. , Fukasawa K. , Akasaka M. , Watari Y. , Iwai N. , Kaji K. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractInvasive predators not only cause native prey populations to decline but can also induce evolutionary changes in their behaviour in a short time scale. However, few studies have reported these rapid responses. This could be because strong predation pressure by invasive species often causes the extinction of native prey before an evolutionary effect can be detected. Recently, eradication projects successfully removed invasive predators and resulted in the recovery of native prey. We predicted that rapid responses can be detected by evaluating the behavioural traits of native prey populations having different histories of predator invasion. We examined the behavioural responses of a native frog, the Amami tip‐nosed frog (Odorrana amamiensis), to an invasive mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) on Amami Island, Japan. The native frog population was reduced by the mongoose; however, the eradication project leads to the recovery of the native frog population, thereby providing an opportunity to evaluate the evolutionary impact of the invasive species. We hypothesized that spatial differences in flight initiation distance (FID) can be explained by spatial patterns of past mongoose predation pressure. We used a spatial model based on generalized least squares regression methods to test the effects of potential factors on FID. We then performed model comparison and model averaging. We found that the native frog became more sensitive to the approach of a potential predator as the historical impact of the mongoose increased, suggesting that past strong predation pressure by the mongoose drove a rapid behavioural response in the native frog. Our study suggests that rapid behavioural responses of other native species can be detected not only after successful eradication projects, but also on currently invaded sites with different invasion histories.
Bargaining Agenda in a Unionized Bilateral Monopoly
Authors: Fanti Luciano , Buccella Domenico 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe endogenous choice of the bargaining agenda between the two alternatives of Right‐to‐Manage (RTM, i.e., only wages are negotiated) and Efficient Bargaining (EB, i.e., both wages and employment are negotiated) is examined in a vertically integrated unionized bilateral monopoly with firm‐specific negotiations. Although the RTM agenda emerges as the unique subgame perfect equilibrium choice, a joint commitment to EB agendas leads both bilateral monopolists to gain higher profits, provided that the union bargaining power is adequately weak. This result is in sharp contrast to previous findings that the RTM typically secures higher profits to a single unionized monopolist.
Enterocolic increase of cannabinoid receptor type 1 and type 2 and clinical improvement after probiotic administration in dogs with chronic signs of colonic dysmotility without mucosal inflammatory changes
Authors: Rossi Giacomo , Gioacchini Giorgia , Pengo Graziano , Suchodolski Jan S. , Jergens Albert E. , Allenspach Karin , Gavazza Alessandra , Scarpona Silvia , Berardi Sara , Galosi Livio , Bassotti Gabrio , Cerquetella Matteo 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundColonic dysmotility in dogs can cause different GI signs. Sometimes, histology of enterocolic biopsies does not reveal inflammatory infiltrates or mucosal lesions that are typically associated with clinical disease activity. It is speculated that, similarly to humans, colonic dysmotility may be anxiety‐based, although recent data demonstrate that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) could result from acute infectious enteritis. SpecificLactobacillusspp. strains administered orally in humans induced the expression of μ‐opioid and cannabinoid receptors in mucosal enterocytes, modulating intestinal morphine‐like analgesic functions. We investigated the potential association of GI signs caused by colonic dysmotility and mucosal expression of cannabinoid receptors in intestinal epithelial cells and the number of mucosal mast cells.MethodsTen to 15 endoscopic biopsies were collected from colonic mucosa of 20 dogs diagnosed with dysmotility disturbances before and after probiotic (Slab51 bacterial blend; Sivoy®) administration (3‐month period). Number and distribution of mast cells (MCs), and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Results were compared to data obtained from five clinically healthy dogs (archive samples).Key resultsDecreased numbers of MCs (P < .0001) and increased CB1‐ and CB2‐positive epithelial cells (P < .0001) in diseased dogs were positively associated with post‐treatment CCECAI scores (P < .0001).Conclusions and inferencesOur results suggest that probiotic administration can reduce signs of colonic dysmotility, possibly due to microbiota modulation and epithelial cell receptor–mediated signaling in intestinal mucosa.
Activation of BDNF/TrkB/Akt pathway is associated with aggressiveness and unfavorable survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Moraes Juliana Kern de , Wagner Vivian Petersen , Fonseca Felipe Paiva , Amaral‐Silva Gleyson Kleber do , de Farias Caroline Brunetto , Pilar Emily Ferreira Salles , Gregianin Lauro , Roesler Rafael , Vargas Pablo Agustin , Martins Manoela Domingues 
Published: September 2019

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), its tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), and two downstream targets of this pathway, Akt and ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6), in normal oral mucosa (NOM), oral leukoplakia (OL), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and correlate this expression with OSCC patients’ outcomes, cell senescence, and “stemness” profile.Materials and MethodsTen cases of NOM, 32 OL, and 72 primary OSCC were included. Immunohistochemical analysis for BDNF, TrkB, p‐TrkB, p‐Akt, and p‐RPS6 was performed. Cell senescence and stemness profile of OSCC were evaluated through p16 and BMI‐1 immunohistochemical expression, respectively. The slides were scanned into high‐resolution images and quantified through digital analysis.ResultsOral squamous cell carcinoma presented increased expression of BDNF/TrkB/Akt pathway compared to NOM and OL. OSCC diagnosed in advanced clinical stages presented an upregulation of BDNF and p‐TrkB. BDNF and p‐Akt were identified as predictors of poor disease‐specific survival. The increase in stemness profile was correlated with a decrease in p‐TrkB and p‐Akt expression.ConclusionsBDNF/TrkB/Akt pathway is significantly increased in malignant cells from OSCC. Moreover, BDNF and Akt represent biomarkers capable to predict a poor prognosis of OSCC patients.