bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel, efficient, and ecologically relevant bioassay method using aquatic fungi and fungus-like organisms for fungicide ecological effect assessment
Authors: Nagai Takashi 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Fungicides are used to control fungal plant pathogens, but they may also be highly toxic to aquatic fungi, which play an important role in natural aquatic ecosystems. However, a bioassay method using aquatic fungi has not been sufficiently developed. In the present study, a novel, efficient, and ecologically relevant bioassay method was developed for the ecological effect assessment of fungicides. Candidate test species were selected by considering the following 4 factors: 1) their ecological relevance (i.e., widely distributed and frequently observed) in freshwater habitats, 2) inclusion of a wide range of taxonomic groups, 3) availability from public culture collections, and 4) suitability for culture experiments using a microplate. The following 5 fungal species were selected: Rhizophydium brooksiaum (Chitridiomycota), Chytriomyces hyalinus (Chitridiomycota), Tetracladium setigerum (Ascomycota), Sporobolomyces roseus (Basidiomycota), and Aphanomyces stellatus (Oomycota, fungus-like organism). An efficient test method using the 5 species was developed based on a microplate assay using a 96-well white microplate and a test duration of 48 h. Fungal biomass was determined as adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) luminescence, which is known to be proportional to live cell density and can be determined with a microplate reader. Test performance was evaluated by conducting bioassays of 3,5-dichlorophenol and malachite green as standard test substances. Fungal species were clearly more sensitive than other species to the fungicide malachite green. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1980–1989. © 2018 SETAC
Abstract
Comparative in vitro and in vivo effects of chlorpyrifos oxon in the outbred CD-1 mouse (Mus musculus) and great plains toad (Anaxyrus cognatus)
Authors: Anderson Tim , Liu Jing , McMurry Scott , Pope Carey 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

We compared biochemical, functional, and behavioral responses to the organophosphorus anticholinesterase chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO) in mice (Mus musculus, CD-1) and toads (Anaxyrus cognatus, Great Plains toad). Toads were substantially less sensitive to acute lethality of CPO based on the maximum tolerated (nonlethal) dose (toads, 77 mg/kg; mice, 5.9 mg/kg). Sublethal exposures led to classical signs of toxicity (increased involuntary movements, autonomic secretions) in mice but hypoactivity in toads. Motor performance in an inclined plane test was not affected by CPO in mice but was altered at the highest dosage in toads. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase, monoacylglycerol lipase, and fatty acid amide hydrolase activities in brain were inhibited in mice but not in toads, and fatty acid amide hydrolase activity in the liver was inhibited in both species. Toad brain AChE was less sensitive to in vitro inhibition by CPO (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50; 20 min, 37 °C], 101 vs 7.8 nM; IC50 [20 min, 26 °C], 149 vs 6.2 nM), and studies of inhibitor kinetics indicated substantially lower anticholinesterase potency of CPO against the toad brain enzyme. Using an in vitro indirect inhibition assay, preincubation of CPO with toad brain homogenate was more effective than an equivalent mouse brain homogenate at reducing CPO potency. These data suggest that the relatively low sensitivity of toads to cholinergic toxicity is based on the low sensitivity of brain AChE, which in turn may be attributable to more effective target-site detoxification. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1898–1906. © 2018 SETAC
Nonlinear energy‐harvesting relaying with beamforming and hardware impairments in κ−μ shadowed fading environment
Authors: Hussain Ayaz , Kim Sang‐Hyo , Chang Seok‐Ho 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn this paper, the energy harvesting in a decode‐and‐forward (DF) relaying system with beamforming and hardware impairments that is based on a realistic nonlinear model is studied under κ−μ shadowed fading environments. This study was undertaken in consideration of a source and a destination that are equipped with multiple antennas and communication that occurs through a single‐antenna energy‐constrained DF relay. At the relay node, a nonlinear energy harvester is assumed, which limits the level of the harvested power with a saturation threshold. Here, a power‐splitting‐based relaying protocol is considered, whereby new and exact analytical expressions are derived for the outage probability and throughput under κ−μ shadowed fading, accounting for hardware impairments at all nodes. The κ−μ shadowed fading model is capable of modeling the different kinds of empirical wireless channels that undergo either shadowing or fading and fading and shadowing simultaneously, including the particular cases of the κ−μ, Rician shadowed, Rician, Nakagami‐
, and Rayleigh fading channels. The authors analyze the system performance for different system parameters such as the power splitting ratio, number of antennas, hardware impairments, saturation threshold power, and fading and shadowing parameters. These results are then generalized and can easily be reduced for an ideal hardware and linear energy‐harvesting relaying, and for a number of particular cases including the Rayleigh/Rayleigh, Nakagami‐
/Nakagami‐
, Rician/Rician, Rician shadowed/Rician shadowed, and mixed κ−μ shadowed, κ−μ, Rician shadowed, Rician, Nakagami‐
, and Rayleigh fading channels. The results of this study are helpful in terms of the analysis of the performance of the energy‐harvesting DF relay network under a variety of environments for which the fading and the shadowing arise jointly and separately.
New insights about cadmium impacts on tomato: Plant acclimation, nutritional changes, fruit quality and yield
Authors: Carvalho Marcia E. A. , Piotto Fernando A. , Gaziola Salete A. , Jacomino Angelo P. , Jozefczak Marijke , Cuypers Ann , Azevedo Ricardo A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTomato is an important crop worldwide. Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in fruits depend on tomato genotype. This work aimed to study the relation among Cd accumulation, tolerance mechanisms, and fruit features in two tomato cultivars with contrasting tolerance to Cd stress. Tolerant (Yoshimatsu) and sensitive (Tropic Two Orders) plants were grown in control and contaminated soils (0.04 and 3.77 mg/kg Cd, respectively) from the seedling stage to fruit production. Both cultivars were able to acclimatize to Cd exposure, probably through mechanisms associated with reductions in the magnesium status. Cadmium concentrations varied according to the following descending order: roots = leaf blades > (peduncle + sepals) > stem = fruits. However, the tolerant cultivar accumulated more Cd than did the sensitive one. Although Cd reached the fruits from the first to the fourth bunches, peduncle and sepals may act as a barrier to Cd entrance in tomato pulp and peel. The Cd‐induced changes in the fruit mineral profile varied according to plant cultivar, organ, tomato tissue, and bunch position. Moreover, plant yield was not affected by the Cd stress, which was able to improve fruit size and weight in the tolerant cultivar. In conclusion, new insights about the Cd‐induced effects on tomato development and fruit attributes were provided by growing plants in soil, which is the media generally used to cultivate this crop, rather than hydroponics. It was shown that tomato cultivars with contrasting tolerance to Cd toxicity can reach sexual maturity and produce fruits with no yield losses, despite impacts on development from long‐term Cd exposure. This study also revealed the role of floral receptacle and its related structures in limiting, even partially, Cd translocation to the fruits. Furthermore, Yoshimatsu's capacity to produce bigger and heavier fruits, in plants under Cd exposure, may probably be associated with enhanced Cd accumulation.
Influence of white matter injury on gray matter reactive gliosis upon stab wound in the adult murine cerebral cortex
Authors: Mattugini Nicola , Merl‐Pham Juliane , Petrozziello Elisabetta , Schindler Lisa , Bernhagen Jürgen , Hauck Stefanie M. , Götz Magdalena 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTraumatic brain injury frequently affects the cerebral cortex, yet little is known about the differential effects that occur if only the gray matter (GM) is damaged or if the injury also involves the white matter (WM). To tackle this important question and directly compare similarities and differences in reactive gliosis, we performed stab wound injury affecting GM and WM (GM+) and one restricted to the GM (GM−) in the adult murine cerebral cortex. First, we examined glial reactivity in the regions affected (WM and GM) and determined the influence of WM injury on reactive gliosis in the GM comparing the same area in the two injury paradigms. In the GM+ injury microglia proliferation is increased in the WM compared with GM, while proliferating astrocytes are more abundant in the GM than in the WM. Interestingly, WM lesion exerted a strong influence on the proliferation of the GM glial cells that was most pronounced at early stages, 3 days post lesion. While astrocyte proliferation was increased, NG2 glia proliferation was decreased in the GM+ compared with GM‐ lesion condition. Importantly, these differences were not observed when a lesion of the same size affected only the GM. Unbiased proteomic analyses further corroborate our findings in support of a profound difference in GM reactivity when WM is also injured and revealed MIF as a key regulator of NG2 glia proliferation.
Inhibition in the face of emotion: Characterization of the spatial‐temporal dynamics that facilitate automatic emotion regulation
Authors: Taylor Margot J. , Robertson Amanda , Keller Anne E. , Sato Julie , Urbain Charline , Pang Elizabeth W. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEmotion regulation mediates socio‐cognitive functions and is essential for interactions with others. The capacity to automatically inhibit responses to emotional stimuli is an important aspect of emotion regulation; the underlying neural mechanisms of this ability have been rarely investigated. Forty adults completed a Go/No‐go task during magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings, where they responded rapidly to either a blue or purple frame which contained angry or happy faces. Subjects responded to the target color in an inhibition (75% Go trials) and a vigilance condition (25% Go trials). As expected, inhibition processes showed early, sustained activation (200–450 ms) in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Emotion‐related inhibition processes showed greater activity with angry faces bilaterally in the orbital‐frontal gyri (OFG) starting at 225 ms and temporal poles from 250 ms, with right hemisphere dominance. The presence of happy faces elicited earlier activity in the right OFG. This study demonstrates that the timing of inhibition processes varies with the emotional context and that there is much greater activation in the presence of angry faces. It underscores the importance of the right IFG for inhibition processes, but the OFG in automatic emotion regulation.
Meta‐analytic evidence for altered mesolimbic responses to reward in schizophrenia
Authors: Chase Henry W. , Loriemi Polina , Wensing Tobias , Eickhoff Simon B. , Nickl‐Jockschat Thomas 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDysfunction of reward‐related neural circuitry in schizophrenia (SCZ) has been widely reported, and may provide insight into the motivational and cognitive disturbances that characterize the disorder. Although previous meta‐analyses of reward learning paradigms in SCZ have been performed, a meta‐analysis of whole‐brain coordinate maps in SCZ alone has not been conducted. In this study, we performed an activation likelihood estimate (ALE) meta‐analysis, and performed a follow‐up analysis of functional connectivity and functional decoding of identified regions. We report several salient findings that extend prior work in this area. First, an alteration in reward‐related activation was observed in the right ventral striatum, but this was not solely driven by hypoactivation in the SCZ group compared to healthy controls. Second, the region was characterized by functional connectivity primarily with the lateral prefrontal cortex and pre‐supplementary motor area (preSMA), as well as subcortical regions such as the thalamus which show structural deficits in SCZ. Finally, although the meta‐analysis showed no regions outside the ventral striatum to be significantly altered, regions with higher functional connectivity with the ventral striatum showed a greater number of subthreshold foci. Together, these findings confirm the alteration of ventral striatal function in SCZ, but suggest that a network‐based approach may assist future analysis of the functional underpinnings of the disorder.
Neural correlates of reduced depressive symptoms following cognitive training for chronic traumatic brain injury
Authors: Han Kihwan , Martinez David , Chapman Sandra B. , Krawczyk Daniel C. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDepression is the most frequent comorbid psychiatric condition among individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Yet, little is known about changes in the brain associated with reduced depressive symptoms following rehabilitation for TBI. We identified whether cognitive training alleviates comorbid depressive symptoms in chronic TBI (>6 months post‐injury) as a secondary effect. Further, we elucidated neural correlates of alleviated depressive symptoms following cognitive training. A total of seventy‐nine individuals with chronic TBI (53 depressed and 26 non‐depressed individuals, measured using the Beck Depressive Inventory [BDI]), underwent either strategy‐ or information‐based cognitive training in a small group for 8 weeks. We measured psychological functioning scores, cortical thickness, and resting‐state functional connectivity (rsFC) for these individuals before training, immediately post‐training, and 3 months post‐training. After confirming that changes in BDI scores were independent of training group affiliation, we identified that the depressive‐symptoms group showed reductions in BDI scores over time relative to the non‐depressed TBI controls (p < .01). Within the depressive‐symptoms group, reduced BDI scores was associated with improvements in scores for post‐traumatic stress disorder, TBI symptom awareness, and functional status (p < .00625), increases in cortical thickness in four regions within the right prefrontal cortex (pvertex < .01, pcluster<.05), and decreases in rsFC with each of these four prefrontal regions (pvertex < .01, pcluster < .0125). Overall, these findings suggest that cognitive training can reduce depressive symptoms in TBI even when the training does not directly target psychiatric symptoms. Importantly, cortical thickness and brain connectivity may offer promising neuroimaging markers of training‐induced improvement in mental health status in TBI.
Missing data in trial‐based cost‐effectiveness analysis: An incomplete journey
Authors: Leurent Baptiste , Gomes Manuel , Carpenter James R. 
Published: March 2018

SUMMARYCost‐effectiveness analyses (CEA) conducted alongside randomised trials provide key evidence for informing healthcare decision making, but missing data pose substantive challenges. Recently, there have been a number of developments in methods and guidelines addressing missing data in trials. However, it is unclear whether these developments have permeated CEA practice. This paper critically reviews the extent of and methods used to address missing data in recently published trial‐based CEA.Issues of the Health Technology Assessment journal from 2013 to 2015 were searched. Fifty‐two eligible studies were identified. Missing data were very common; the median proportion of trial participants with complete cost‐effectiveness data was 63% (interquartile range: 47%–81%). The most common approach for the primary analysis was to restrict analysis to those with complete data (43%), followed by multiple imputation (30%). Half of the studies conducted some sort of sensitivity analyses, but only 2 (4%) considered possible departures from the missing‐at‐random assumption.Further improvements are needed to address missing data in cost‐effectiveness analyses conducted alongside randomised trials. These should focus on limiting the extent of missing data, choosing an appropriate method for the primary analysis that is valid under contextually plausible assumptions, and conducting sensitivity analyses to departures from the missing‐at‐random assumption.
Depressive symptoms, social anxiety, and perceived neck function in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Rhoten Bethany Andrews , Murphy Barbara A. , Dietrich Mary S. , Ridner Sheila Hedden 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundThis study examined the relationships of depressive symptoms and social anxiety with perceived neck function in patients treated for head and neck cancer.MethodsDepressive symptoms, social anxiety, and perceived neck‐related function were measured at baseline, posttreatment, every 6 weeks thereafter for 1 year after the end of treatment, and at 15 and 18 months posttreatment. Group‐based trajectory modeling was used to generate clusters of patients with similar baseline and trajectories of perceived neck‐related function after head and neck cancer treatment.ResultsParticipants included 83 subjects who had completed at least 1 follow‐up assessment. Three clusters of longitudinal patterns in neck disability were identified: none/mild, moderate, and severe. Significant associations were found between membership in the neck disability index trajectories and membership in the longitudinal patterns of depressive symptoms and social anxiety.ConclusionImpaired physical function and psychological distress are intertwined for patients with head and neck cancer long after completing treatment.
Head and neck cancer reirradiation with interstitial high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy
Authors: Hegde John V. , Demanes D. Jeffrey , Veruttipong Darlene , Chin Robert K. , Park Sang‐June , Kamrava Mitchell 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundAs high‐dose‐rate (HDR) brachytherapy can preferentially spare normal anatomic structures surrounding the radiation target, we report on our experience using this technique in head and neck cancer reirradiation.MethodsTwenty patients received HDR brachytherapy reirradiation with curative or palliative intent from 2010‐2015. Clinical and toxicity outcomes were recorded. Actuarial outcomes were calculated using Kaplan‐Meier analysis.ResultsFor curative treatment, actuarial 2‐year rates of local control and overall survival (OS) were 73% and 56%, respectively. Palliatively, a 6‐month local control rate of 65% was seen. Age >70 years was associated with poorer OS (P = .042). Prior salvage resection showed a trend toward improved local control and OS (P = .069 and P = .063, respectively). Thirty‐three percent had grade 3 to 4 late toxicities.ConclusionCurative‐intent HDR brachytherapy reirradiation can provide excellent local control and encouraging OS. Given the late toxicity rates, patient selection is essential, with particular utility for younger patients or those treated with salvage resection.
Health system organizational reform in governing Iranian public hospitals: A content analysis to comprehend the barriers in Board of Trustees' hospitals
Authors: Jafari Mehdi , Habibirad Amin , Pourtaleb Arefeh , Salarianzadeh Mohammad Hossein 
Published: March 2018

SummaryBackgroundSince the early 1990s, Iran has initiated structural and decentralization reforms in the hospital system. This policy led to the formation of a Board of Trustees (BOTs) for the governing of public educational hospitals and making important modifications in hospitals' financing. This study was conducted to identify the barriers in implementing this policy.MethodsAll the Iranian Medical Sciences Universities and hospitals involved in the policy implementation were included in this qualitative study. The data were analyzed by using content analysis.ResultsIn total, 403 problems were divided into 9 classes including problems related to implementing regulation, financial problems in policy implementation, problems related to faculty members, ambiguity in executive regulation, problems related to the BOTs, authority level, hospital structure, the quality and quantity of hospital human resources, and fee for services.ConclusionIt appears that “implementing regulation” and “financial problems” embrace over 50% of the barriers. Apparently, the new approach to hospitals' autonomy has not achieved the desired goals. Considering the contextual factor, the evidence and identification of the clear role of various stakeholders should be essential determinants. Partial implementation of this policy without paying attention to the other aspects would end in failure. The results showed insufficient budget to be the most influential factor that posed a dilemma in implementing the BOTs' policy. However, BOTs in Iranian health system need to strive toward a higher level of performance that will improve effectiveness and efficiency now more than ever.
Effects of bovine lipid extract surfactant administration in preterm infants treated for respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Stockley Elizabeth , Valotaire Ronald , Miller Michael , da Silva Orlando 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimTo review the initial effectiveness of bovine lipid extract surfactant (BLES) for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants.Methods and resultsA retrospective review of data collected from infants born <37‐week gestation with respiratory distress syndrome treated with BLES between February 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016. Data were analyzed to determine the timing of initial dose, the length of time to wean the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) concentration to 0.21 following initial dose, and the number of repeated doses given during hospital admission. Infants were subgrouped by gestational age stratum, 230 to 276 weeks (group 1), 280 to 316 weeks (group 2), and 320 to 366 weeks (group 3). Ninety‐eight infants received the surfactant during the study period. After applying exclusion criteria, 77 infants were analyzed. Mean (SD) gestational age was 28 (4) weeks, and mean (SD) birth weight was 1250 (602) g. Initial dose of BLES was given at a median (interquartile range) time of 29 (19‐43) minutes in group 1, 150 (20‐615) minutes in group 2, and 990 (53‐2025) minutes in group 3. Median (interquartile range) length of time to wean the FiO2 concentration to 0.21 was 14 (5‐56) minutes, 10 (5‐53) minutes, and 10 (5‐38) minutes in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Ten infants required repeated doses.ConclusionGiven the rapid response of BLES in all the groups, careful monitoring of ventilator parameters is paramount to allow for rapid weaning and early extubation to avoid lung injury associated with mechanical ventilation.