bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
European health inequality through the ‘Great Recession’: social policy matters
Authors: van der Wel Kjetil A. , Saltkjel Therese , Chen Wen‐Hao , Dahl Espen , Halvorsen Knut 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper investigates the association between the Great Recession and educational inequalities in self‐rated general health in 25 European countries. We investigate four different indicators related to economic recession: GDP; unemployment; austerity and a ‘crisis’ indicator signifying severe simultaneous drops in GDP and welfare generosity. We also assess the extent to which health inequality changes can be attributed to changes in the economic conditions and social capital in the European populations. The paper uses data from the European Social Survey (2002–2014). The analyses include both cross‐sectional and lagged associations using multilevel linear regression models with country fixed effects. This approach allows us to identify health inequality changes net of all time‐invariant differences between countries. GDP drops and increasing unemployment were associated with decreasing health inequalities. Austerity, however, was related to increasing health inequalities, an association that grew stronger with time. The strongest increase in health inequality was found for the more robust ‘crisis’ indicator. Changes in trust, social relationships and in the experience of economic hardship of the populations accounted for much of the increase in health inequality. The paper concludes that social policy has an important role in the development of health inequalities, particularly during times of economic crisis.
momentuHMM: R package for generalized hidden Markov models of animal movement
Authors: McClintock Brett T. , Michelot Théo 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Discrete‐time hidden Markov models (HMMs) have become an immensely popular tool for inferring latent animal behaviours from telemetry data. While movement HMMs typically rely solely on location data (e.g. step length and turning angle), auxiliary biotelemetry and environmental data are powerful and readily‐available resources for incorporating much more ecological and behavioural realism. However, complex movement or observation process models often necessitate custom and computationally demanding HMM model‐fitting techniques that are impractical for most practitioners, and there is a paucity of generalized user‐friendly software available for implementing multivariate HMMs of animal movement.

Here, we introduce an open‐source R package, momentuHMM, that addresses many of the deficiencies in existing HMM software. Features include: (1) data pre‐processing and visualization; (2) user‐specified probability distributions for an unlimited number of data streams and latent behaviour states; (3) biased and correlated random walk movement models, including dynamic “activity centres” associated with attractive or repulsive forces; (4) user‐specified design matrices and constraints for covariate modelling of parameters using formulas familiar to most R users; (5) multiple imputation methods that account for measurement error and temporally irregular or missing data; (6) seamless integration of spatio‐temporal covariate raster data; (7) cosinor and spline models for cyclical and other complicated patterns; (8) model checking and selection; and (9) simulation.

After providing an overview of the main features of the package, we demonstrate some of the capabilities of momentuHMM using real‐world examples. These include models for cyclical movement patterns of African elephants, foraging trips of northern fur seals, loggerhead turtle movements relative to ocean surface currents, and grey seal movements among three activity centres.

momentuHMM considerably extends the capabilities of existing HMM software while accounting for common challenges associated with telemetry data. It therefore facilitates more realistic hypothesis‐driven animal movement analyses that have hitherto been largely inaccessible to non‐statisticians. While motivated by telemetry data, the package can be used for analysing any type of data that is amenable to HMMs. Practitioners interested in additional features are encouraged to contact the authors.
Evaluation of acoustic telemetry grids for determining aquatic animal movement and survival
Authors: Kraus Richard T. , Holbrook Christopher M. , Vandergoot Christopher S. , Stewart Taylor R. , Faust Matthew D. , Watkinson Douglas A. , Charles Colin , Pegg Mark , Enders Eva C. , Krueger Charles C. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAcoustic telemetry studies have frequently prioritized linear configurations of hydrophone receivers, such as perpendicular from shorelines or across rivers, to detect the presence of tagged aquatic animals. This approach introduces unknown bias when receivers are stationed for convenience at geographic bottlenecks (e.g. at the mouth of an embayment or between islands) as opposed to deployments following a statistical sampling design.We evaluated two‐dimensional acoustic receiver arrays (grids: receivers spread uniformly across space) as an alternative approach to provide estimates of survival, movement and habitat use. Performance of variably spaced receiver grids (5–25 km spacing) was evaluated by simulating (1) animal tracks as correlated random walks (speed: 0.1–0.9 m/s; turning angleSD: 5–30°); (2) variable tag transmission intervals along each track (nominal delay: 15–300 s); and (3) probability of detection of each transmission based on logistic detection range curves (mid‐point: 200–1,500 m). From simulations, we quantified (i) time between successive detections on any receiver (detection time), (ii) time between successive detections on different receivers (transit time), and (iii) distance between successive detections on different receivers (transit distance).In the most restrictive detection range scenario (200 m), the 95th percentile of transit time was 3.2 days at 5 km, 5.7 days at 7 km and 15.2 days at 25 km grid spacing; for the 1,500 m detection range scenario, it was 0.1 days at 5 km, 0.5 days at 7 km and 10.8 days at 25 km. These values represented upper bounds on the expected maximum time that an animal could go undetected. Comparison of the simulations with pilot studies on three fishes (walleyeSander vitreus, common carpCyprinus carpioand channel catfishIctalurus punctatus) from two independent large lake ecosystems (lakes Erie and Winnipeg) revealed shorter detection and transit times than what simulations predicted.By spreading effort uniformly across space, grids can improve understanding of fish migration over the commonly employed receiver line approach, but at increased time cost for maintaining grids.
Associations between personality disorders and cannabis use and cannabis use disorder: a population‐based twin study
Authors: Gillespie Nathan A. , Aggen Steven H. , Neale Michael C. , Knudsen Gun Peggy , Krueger Robert F. , South Susan C. , Czajkowski Nikolai , Nesvåg Ragnar , Ystrom Eivind , Kendler Kenneth S. , Reichborn‐Kjennerud Ted 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackground and AimsIndividual differences in DSM‐IV personality disorders (PDs) are associated with increased prevalence of substance use disorders. Our aims were to determine which combination of PDs trait scores best predict cannabis use (CU) and cannabis use disorder (CUD), and to estimate the size and significance of genetic and environmental risks in PD traits shared with CU and CUD.DesignLinear mixed‐effects models were used to identify PD traits for inclusion in twin analyses to explore the genetic and environmental associations between the traits and cannabis use.SettingCross‐sectional data were obtained from Norwegian adult twins in a face‐to‐face interview in 1999–2004 as part of a population‐based study of mental health.ParticipantsSubjects were 1419 twins (μage = 28.2 years, range = 19–36) from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health Twin Panel with complete PD and cannabis data.MeasurementsPD traits were assessed using DSM‐IV criteria. Life‐time CU and CUD were based on DSM‐IV abuse and dependence criteria, including withdrawal and craving.FindingsAfter adjusting for age and sex, antisocial [β = 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.19–0.28] and borderline PDs (β = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.14–0.26) were associated strongly with CU. Antisocial (β = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.21–0.31) and borderline PDs (β = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.06–0.18) were also linked strongly to CUD. Genetic risks in antisocial and borderline PD traits explained 32–60% of the total variance in CU and CUD. Dependent and avoidant PDs explained 11 and 16% of the total variance in CU and CUD, respectively.ConclusionsIndividual differences in the liability to cannabis use and cannabis use disorder appear to be linked to genetic risks correlated with antisocial and borderline personality disorder traits.
The immunophenotype of amniotic fluid leukocytes in normal and complicated pregnancies
Authors: Gomez‐Lopez Nardhy , Romero Roberto , Xu Yi , Miller Derek , Leng Yaozhu , Panaitescu Bogdan , Silva Pablo , Faro Jonathan , Alhousseini Ali , Gill Navleen , Hassan Sonia S , Hsu Chaur‐Dong 
Published: March 2018

ProblemThe immune cellular composition of amniotic fluid is poorly understood. Herein, we determined: 1) the immunophenotype of amniotic fluid immune cells during the second and third trimester in the absence of intra‐amniotic infection/inflammation; 2) whether amniotic fluid T cells and ILCs display different phenotypical characteristics to that of peripheral cells; and 3) whether the amniotic fluid immune cells are altered in women with intra‐amniotic infection/inflammation.Method of StudyAmniotic fluid samples (n = 57) were collected from 15 to 40 weeks of gestation in women without intra‐amniotic infection/inflammation. Samples from women with intra‐amniotic infection/inflammation were also included (n = 9). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy adults were used as controls (n = 3). Immunophenotyping was performed using flow cytometry.ResultsIn the absence of intra‐amniotic infection/inflammation, the amniotic fluid contained several immune cell populations between 15 and 40 weeks. Among these immune cells: (i) T cells and ILCs were greater than B cells and natural killer (NK) cells between 15 and 30 weeks; (ii) T cells were most abundant between 15 and 30 weeks; (iii) ILCs were most abundant between 15 and 20 weeks; (iv) B cells were scarce between 15 and 20 weeks; yet, they increased and were constant after 20 weeks; (v) NK cells were greater between 15 and 30 weeks than at term; (vi) ILCs expressed high levels of RORγt, CD161, and CD103 (ie, group 3 ILCs); (vii) T cells expressed high levels of RORγt; (viii) neutrophils increased as gestation progressed; and (ix) monocytes/macrophages emerged after 20 weeks and remained constant until term. All of the amniotic fluid immune cells, except ILCs, were increased in the presence of intra‐amniotic infection/inflammation.ConclusionThe amniotic fluid harbors a diverse immune cellular composition during normal and complicated pregnancies.
IL‐33/ST2 axis affects the polarization and efferocytosis of decidual macrophages in early pregnancy
Authors: Sheng Yan‐Ran , Hu Wen‐Ting , Wei Chun‐Yan , Tang Ling‐Li , Liu Yu‐Kai , Liu Yu‐Yin , Qiu Jian‐Ping , Li Da‐Jin , Zhu Xiao‐Yong 
Published: March 2018

ProblemTo explore whether IL‐33/ST2 axis modulates the polarization and efferocytosis of decidual macrophages (dMφs).Method of studyThe phenotype characteristics of dMφs from both normal pregnant women and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) patients were determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and flow cytometry (FCM). Then, the efferocytosis and expression of IL‐33 and its receptor (ST2) in dMφs were analyzed by FCM. Finally, the effects of sST2, a decoy receptor for IL‐33 that inhibits the IL‐33/ST2 signaling pathway, on the polarization and efferocytosis of dMφs and human macrophage cell line U937 were investigated.ResultsCompared with normal pregnancy, dMφs from RSA patients presented a M1 phenotype with high secretion of IL‐33, whereas the expression of ST2 decreased. However, dMφs from RSA patients possessed a more powerful efferocytosis ability to clear the apoptotic decidual stromal cells (DSCs) compared with dMφs from normal pregnancy patients. Treatment with recombinant human sST2 led to the up‐regulation of M1 bias and efferocytosis ability of both normal dMφs and U937.ConclusionThis study indicates that IL‐33 secreted by dMφs promotes M2 bias at the feto‐maternal interface, and as a result, RSA might attribute to the disturbance of IL‐33/ST2 axis and the enhancement of efferocytosis of dMφs subsequently.
Characterization of microbiota in male infertility cases uncovers differences in seminal hyperviscosity and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia possibly correlated with increased prevalence of infectious bacteria
Authors: Monteiro Catarina , Marques Patrícia I. , Cavadas Bruno , Damião Isabel , Almeida Vasco , Barros Nuno , Barros Alberto , Carvalho Filipa , Gomes Sílvia , Seixas Susana 
Published: March 2018

ProblemSexually transmitted diseases and other infections of male genitourinary tract are thought to negatively impact reproductive health, affecting semen quality. Despite a possible link between bacteria and infertility, few studies attempted to characterize seminal microbiota in healthy and diseased subjects.Methods of the studyA high‐throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA gene was performed in a cohort of infertility‐related cases (N = 89) and controls (N = 29) using a pooled sample approach.ResultsA global characterization of microbiota was obtained at low cost, without compromising the identification of bacterial taxa. This strategy allowed us to detect changes in the microbiota of infertility‐related phenotypes, such as an increment of Proteobacteria in seminal hyperviscosity, and to separate this later group from oligoasthenoteratozoospermia based in bacterial (family/genus) abundances.ConclusionWe provide data for a likely contribution of bacteria into seminal hyperviscosity and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, partially correlated with an increment of Neisseria, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas pathogens and a reduction in Lactobacillus probiotic agent.
A comparative analysis of testicular sperm morphology in fossorial and surface‐living skinks in South Africa
Authors: Verdú‐Ricoy Joaquín , Matla Tankiso , Gregory Michael , Lambiris Angelo , Jordaan Adriaan , Zhao Zhongning , Heideman Neil 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe described for the first time the spermatozoan ultrastructure of the fully pentadactyl surface‐living skink Trachylepis punctatissima, and limbless fossorial skink Acontias meleagris. The spermatozoa of both species follow the general patterns observed within the Squamata. However, several important differences were detected between the two species in the head region (shape of the anterior acrosome, size of acrosome and nucleus) and especially in the midpiece (size of the midpiece, the presence of regular rows of dense bodies, size and number of mitochondria and beginning of the fibrous sheath). Both species shared more characters with the Sphenomorphus + Egernia group than with the Eugongylus group proposed by Jamieson, Oliver, and Scheltinga (Acta Zoologica, 77, 85). Differences in the spermatozoan ultrastructure between T. punctatissima and A. meleagris could be due to distinct ecological and physiological requirements for fertilization, but additional research on these genera and within the Scincidae is required to disentangle this hypothesis, and to disentangle the phylogenetic relationships among skinks.
A penalized likelihood method for multi‐group structural equation modelling
Authors: Huang Po‐Hsien 
Published: March 2018

In the past two decades, statistical modelling with sparsity has become an active research topic in the fields of statistics and machine learning. Recently, Huang, Chen and Weng (2017,Psychometrika, 82, 329) and Jacobucci, Grimm, and McArdle (2016,Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 23, 555) both proposed sparse estimation methods for structural equation modelling (SEM). These methods, however, are restricted to performing single‐group analysis. The aim of the present work is to establish a penalized likelihood (PL) method for multi‐groupSEM. Our proposed method decomposes each group model parameter into a common reference component and a group‐specific increment component. By penalizing the increment components, the heterogeneity of parameter values across the population can be explored since the null group‐specific effects are expected to diminish. We developed an expectation‐conditional maximization algorithm to optimize thePLcriteria. A numerical experiment and a real data example are presented to demonstrate the potential utility of the proposed method.
Activity of novel lipid glycine transporter inhibitors on synaptic signalling in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord
Authors: Winters Bryony L , Rawling Tristan , Vandenberg Robert J , Christie Macdonald J , Bhola Rebecca F , Imlach Wendy L 
Published: March 2018

Background and PurposeInhibitory neurotransmission plays an important role in controlling excitability within nociceptive circuits of the spinal cord dorsal horn. Loss of inhibitory signalling is thought to contribute to the development of pathological pain. Preclinical studies suggest that increasing inhibitory glycinergic signalling is a good therapeutic strategy for treating pain. One approach to increase synaptic glycine is to inhibit the activity of the glycine transporter 2 (GlyT2) on inhibitory nerve terminals. These transporters are involved in regulating glycine concentrations and recycling glycine into presynaptic terminals. Inhibiting activity of GlyT2 increases synaptic glycine, which decreases excitability in nociceptive circuits and provides analgesia in neuropathic and inflammatory pain models.Experimental ApproachWe investigated the effects of reversible and irreversible GlyT2 inhibitors on inhibitory glycinergic and NMDA receptor‐mediated excitatory neurotransmission in the rat dorsal horn. The effect of these drugs on synaptic signalling was determined using patch‐clamp electrophysiology techniques to measure glycine‐ and NMDA‐mediated postsynaptic currents in spinal cord slices in vitro.Key ResultsWe compared activity of four compounds that increase glycinergic tone with a corresponding increase in evoked glycinergic postsynaptic currents. These compounds did not deplete synaptic glycine release over time. Interestingly, none of these compounds increased glycine‐mediated excitatory signalling through NMDA receptors. The results suggest that these compounds preferentially inhibit GlyT2 over G1yT1 with no potentiation of the glycine receptor and without inducing spillover from inhibitory to excitatory synapses.Conclusions and ImplicationsGlyT2 inhibitors increase inhibitory neurotransmission in the dorsal horn and have potential as pain therapeutics.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Recent Advances in Targeting Ion Channels to Treat Chronic Pain. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.12/issuetoc
Exchange factor directly activated by cAMP–PKCε signalling mediates chronic morphine‐induced expression of purine P2X3 receptor in rat dorsal root ganglia
Authors: Wang Wenying , Ma Xiaqing , Luo Limin , Huang Min , Dong Jing , Zhang Xiaoli , Jiang Wei , Xu Tao 
Published: March 2018

Background and PurposeThe P2X3 receptor is a major receptor in the processing of nociceptive information in dorsal root ganglia. We investigated the role of the P2X3 receptor and the detailed mechanisms underlying chronic morphine‐induced analgesic tolerance in rats.Experimental ApproachRepeated i.t. morphine treatment was used to induce anti‐nociceptive tolerance. The expression of spinal P2X3 receptor, phosphorylated PKCε and exchange factor directly activated by cAMP (Epac) were evaluated. Effects of A‐317491 (P2X3 antagonist), ε‐V1‐2 (PKCε inhibitor) and ESI‐09 (Epac inhibitor) on mechanical pain thresholds and tail‐flick latency after chronic morphine treatment were determined. Co‐localization of P2X3 receptor with NeuNs (marker of neuron), IB4 (marker of small DRG neurons), peripherin, PKCε and Epac were performed by double immunofluorescence staining.Key ResultsChronic morphine time‐dependently increased the expression of P2X3 receptor, phosphorylated PKCε and Epac in DRGs. ε‐V1‐2 prevented chronic morphine‐induced expression of P2X3 receptor. ESI‐09 decreased the phosphorylation of PKCε and up‐regulated expression of Epac after chronic morphine exposure. Mechanical pain thresholds and tail‐flick latency showed that A317491, ε‐V1‐2 and ESI‐09 significantly attenuated the loss of morphine's analgesic potency. Morphine‐induced P2X3 receptor expression mainly occurred in neurons staining for IB4 and peripherin. Co‐localization of P2X3 receptor with PKCε and Epac was demonstrated in the same neurons.Conclusions and ImplicationsChronic morphine exposure increased the expression of P2X3 receptor, and i.t. P2X3 receptor antagonists attenuated the loss of morphine's analgesic effect. Inhibiting Epac/PKCε signalling was shown to play a significant inhibitory role in chronic morphine‐induced P2X3 receptor expression and attenuate morphine‐induced tolerance.
Mapping ligand binding pockets in chloride ClC‐1 channels through an integrated in silico and experimental approach using anthracene‐9‐carboxylic acid and niflumic acid
Authors: Altamura C , Mangiatordi G F , Nicolotti O , Sahbani D , Farinato A , Leonetti F , Carratù M R , Conte D , Desaphy J‐F , Imbrici P 
Published: March 2018

Background and PurposeAlthough chloride channels are involved in several physiological processes and acquired diseases, the availability of compounds selectively targeting CLC proteins is limited. ClC‐1 channels are responsible for sarcolemma repolarization after an action potential in skeletal muscle and have been associated with myotonia congenita and myotonic dystrophy as well as with other muscular physiopathological conditions. To date only a few ClC‐1 blockers have been discovered, such as anthracene‐9‐carboxylic acid (9‐AC) and niflumic acid (NFA), whereas no activator exists. The absence of a ClC‐1 structure and the limited information regarding the binding pockets in CLC channels hamper the identification of improved modulators.Experimental ApproachHere we provide an in‐depth characterization of drug binding pockets in ClC‐1 through an integrated in silico and experimental approach. We first searched putative cavities in a homology model of ClC‐1 built upon an eukaryotic CLC crystal structure, and then validated in silico data by measuring the blocking ability of 9‐AC and NFA on mutant ClC‐1 channels expressed in HEK 293 cells.Key ResultsWe identified four putative binding cavities in ClC‐1. 9‐AC appears to interact with residues K231, R421 and F484 within the channel pore. We also identified one preferential binding cavity for NFA and propose R421 and F484 as critical residues.Conclusions and ImplicationsThis study represents the first effort to delineate the binding sites of ClC‐1. This information is fundamental to discover compounds useful in the treatment of ClC‐1‐associated dysfunctions and might represent a starting point for specifically targeting other CLC proteins.