bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plagiodinium ballux sp. nov. (Dinophyceae), a deep (36 m) sand dwelling dinoflagellate from subtropical Japan
Authors: Yamada Norico , Dawut Mahmutjan , Terada Ryuta , Horiguchi Takeo 
Published: August 2018

SUMMARYA new species of marine sand‐dwelling dinoflagellate, Plagiodinium ballux N. Yamada, Dawut, R. Terada & T. Horiguchi is described from a deep (36 m) seafloor off Takeshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan in the subtropical region of the northwest Pacific. The species is thecate and superficially resembles species of Prorocentrum, but possesses an extremely small epitheca. The cell varies from ovoid to a rounded square, and is small (15.0–22.5 μm in length) and laterally compressed. The thecal plates are smooth and the thecal plate arrangement (Po, 1′, 0a, 5″, 5C, 2S, 5‴, 0p, 1″″) is similar to that of Plagiodinium belizeanum, the type species of the genus. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rDNA and partial LSU rDNA reveal that the dinoflagellate is closely related to P. belizeanum, but it can be clearly distinguished by its size and cell shape. This suite of morphological and molecular differences leads to the conclusion that this deep benthic dinoflagellate represents a new species of the genus Plagiodinium.
N2pc reflects two modes for coding the number of visual targets
Authors: Benavides‐Varela S. , Basso Moro S. , Brigadoi S. , Meconi F. , Doro M. , Simion F. , Sessa P. , Cutini S. , Dell’Acqua R. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHumans share with a variety of animal species the spontaneous ability to detect the numerical correspondence between limited quantities of visual objects and discrete auditory events. Here, we explored how such mental representation is generated in the visual modality by monitoring a parieto‐occipital ERP component, N2pc, whose amplitude covaries with the number of visual targets in explicit enumeration. Participants listened to an auditory sequence of one to three tones followed by a visual search display containing one to three targets. In Experiment 1, participants were asked to respond based on the numerical correspondence between tones and visual targets. In Experiment 2, participants were asked to ignore the tones and detect a target presence in the search display. The results of Experiment 1 showed an N2pc amplitude increase determined by the number of visual targets followed by a centroparietal ERP component modulated by the numerical correspondence between tones and visual targets. The results of Experiment 2 did not show an N2pc amplitude increase as a function of the number of visual targets. However, the numerical correspondence between tones and visual targets influenced N2pc amplitude. By comparing a subset of amplitude/latency parameters between Experiment 1 and 2, the present results suggest N2pc reflects two modes for representing the number of visual targets. One mode, susceptible to subjective control, relies on visual target segregation for exact target individuation, whereas a different mode, likely enabling spontaneous cross‐modal matching, relies on the extraction of rough information about number of targets from visual input.
A Probabilistic Transmission Model for the Spread of Extended‐Spectrum‐β‐Lactamase and AmpC‐β‐Lactamase‐Producing Escherichia Coli in the Broiler Production Chain
Authors: Plaza Rodríguez Carolina , Correia Carreira Guido , Käsbohrer Annemarie 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDirect contact between humans and live broilers, as well as the consumption of chicken meat, have been suggested as pathways for transmission of extended‐spectrum‐β‐lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC‐β‐lactamase (AmpC)‐producing Escherichia coli. One approach to design intervention strategies to control the transmission of such bacteria between animals and humans is to study the transmission pathways of such bacteria between the animals themselves. The rationale is that controlling the process of the underlying source, here transmission between animals, can provide hints on how to control a higher‐level process, here the transmission between animals and humans. The focus of this article is the transmission of the above‐mentioned bacteria between broilers and broiler flocks in meat production with regards to the establishment of possible intervention strategies to reduce the transfer of these bacteria between animals. The objective of this work is to design a mathematical transmission model describing the effects of vertical and horizontal bacterial transmission in the broiler production chain, from the parent generation to the slaughterhouse level. To achieve this objective, an existing transmission model for Campylobacter was adapted for the case of E. coli. The model keeps track of prevalence among flocks (flock prevalence) and of prevalence among animals within one flock (animal prevalence). Flock and animal prevalences show different dynamics in the model. While flock prevalence increases mainly through horizontal transmission in hatcheries, animal prevalence increases mainly at the broiler‐fattening farm. Transports have rather small effects just as the vertical transmission from parents to chicks.
Microloans, education and growth
Authors: M. Emerson Patrick , McGough Bruce 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper constructs a two‐period overlapping generations model of human capital investment decisions where a microloan program designed to finance entrepreneurial activities is active. It is shown that, in the presence of human capital externalities, microloans that are small and have immediate repayment can be growth depressing, and welfare decreasing, through their effect on the opportunity cost of schooling. By increasing the opportunity cost of schooling, such microloans divert investment away from human capital: by failing to internalize the social returns to education, households’ individually optimal investment decisions in the face of microcredit availability act to depress the growth of the economy and result in suboptimal welfare outcomes. Conditions under which these negative effects can occur are identified and potential solutions are suggested.
Impact of trade imbalances on domestic trade policy: Does multilateral trade policy matter?
Authors: Gnangnon Sèna Kimm 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIt has been well demonstrated in the empirical literature that trade policy liberalization influences trade performance. However, little is known about how trade policy reacts to trade imbalances. This article aims to address this question by investigating the impact of trade imbalances on domestic trade policy liberalization, including in the context of multilateral trade policy liberalization. This analysis is particularly relevant because countries are currently having appetite for trade protectionist measures, which could ultimately undermine multilateral trade liberalization, and hurt domestic economies and the world economy. The analysis has been conducted on a panel dataset of 166 countries over the period 1998 to 2015. The take home message of the analysis is twofold: first, an improvement in trade balance induces greater domestic trade policy liberalization. However, this impact depends on countries’ development level, as the magnitude of this positive impact is higher, the higher the countries’ level of development. Second, an improvement in trade balance leads to greater domestic trade policy liberalization only if multilateral trade policy liberalization reaches a certain level.
Results and complications after removal of tibial tuberosity advancement cage for treatment of surgical site infections: A retrospective study
Authors: Serratore Vanessa R. , Barnhart Matthew D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the surgical technique and report the short‐term results after removal of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) cages in dogs with surgical site infections (SSI).Study designRetrospective clinical study.AnimalsSeventeen client‐owned dogs.MethodsMedical records of dogs treated for SSI by removal of a TTA cage between November 2012 and May 2015 were reviewed. Information collected included signalment, physical examination findings, affected stifle, cage size, date of SSI onset, time elapsed to implant removal, duration of procedure, culture results, any complications encountered, timing of follow‐up recheck, and short‐term results.ResultsSeventeen dogs (20 stifles) were included. Clinical signs related to SSI started at a mean of 403 days after TTA, and implants were removed 474 days (mean) after TTA. No intraoperative complications were reported. Postoperative complications occurred in 40% of dogs. Three dogs developed major complications, including a tibial tuberosity fracture. Eighty‐five percent of owners reported complete resolution of clinical signs related to the SSI and were satisfied with the outcome.ConclusionSurgical site infections were short‐ and long‐term complications successfully treated by removal of the TTA cage in the majority of dogs in this study, although complications were common.Clinical significanceRemoval of the TTA cage can be considered as an adjunct to treat SSI but has the potential for postoperative complications.
Effectiveness of probiotics in the management of inflammatory arthritis: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Lowe Judith , Briggs Andrew , Whittle Samuel , Hoon Elizabeth , Stephenson Matthew 
Published: August 2018

Review questions:The questions of this systematic review are: i) What is the effectiveness of probiotics as a therapeutic intervention for individuals living with inflammatory arthritis? ii) What are the reported adverse effects of probiotics when used as a therapeutic intervention for individuals living with inflammatory arthritis?
Kangaroo mother care for the prevention of neonatal hypothermia: a randomised controlled trial in term neonates
Authors: Ramani Manimaran , Choe Eunjoo A , Major Meggin , Newton Rebecca , Mwenechanya Musaku , Travers Colm P , Chomba Elwyn , Ambalavanan Namasivayam , Carlo Waldemar A 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that kangaroo mother care (KMC) initiated either at birth or at 1 hour after birth reduces moderate or severe hypothermia in term neonates at (A) 1 hour after birth and (B) at discharge when compared with standard thermoregulation care.MethodsTerm neonates born at a tertiary delivery centre in Zambia were randomised in two phases (phase 1: birth to 1 hour, phase 2: 1 hour to discharge) to either as much KMC as possible in combination with standard thermoregulation care (KMC group) or to standard thermoregulation care (control group). The primary outcomes were moderate or severe hypothermia (axillary temperature <36.0°C) at (A) 1 hour after birth and (B) at discharge.ResultsThe proportion of neonates with moderate or severe hypothermia did not differ between the KMC and control groups at 1 hour after birth (25% vs 27%, relative risk (RR)=0.93, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.4, P=0.78) or at discharge (7% vs 2%, RR=2.8, 95% CI 0.6 to 13.9, P=0.16). Hypothermia was not found among the infants who had KMC for at least 9 hours or 80% of the hospital stay.ConclusionsKMC practised as much as possible in combination with standard thermoregulation care initiated either at birth or at 1 hour after birth did not reduce moderate or severe hypothermia in term infants compared with standard thermoregulation care. The current study also shows that duration of KMC either for at least 80% of the time or at least 9 hours during the day of birth was effective in preventing hypothermia in term infants.Clinical trial registrationNCT02189759.
Recreational soccer as sport medicine for middle-aged and older adults: a systematic review
Authors: Luo Hao , Newton Robert U , Ma’ayah Fadi , Galvão Daniel A , Taaffe Dennis R 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundStrategies to prevent or attenuate the age-related decline in physical and physiological function and reduce chronic disease risk factors are of clinical importance.ObjectiveTo examine the health benefits of recreational soccer in middle-aged and older adults.DesignSystematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Data sourcesAll available records up until 9 June 2017 in PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library databases.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesAll randomised trials with or without a control group (randomised controlled trials or randomised uncontrolled trials) and non-randomised controlled trials that used recreational soccer, which includes small-sided soccer games, as the sole or principal intervention, and reported relevant effects in untrained/sedentary, healthy or unhealthy adults aged 40 years and above were included.ResultsFive trials described in 13 articles were included, which scored 6–9 out of 12 points on the modified Delphi quality rating scale. The duration was from 12 to 52 weeks, with various frequencies, volumes and game formats performed both outdoors and indoors with men and women. The trials indicate that recreational soccer may result in improvement in cardiovascular function, body composition and functional ability, although no significant changes were observed in postural balance.ConclusionRecreational soccer should be considered an alternative exercise modality for untrained, healthy or unhealthy middle-aged and older adults of both sexes to maintain an active lifestyle and mitigate a wide array of physical and physiological age-related changes.
In the setting of β-cell stress, the pancreatic duct gland transcriptome shows characteristics of an activated regenerative response
Authors: Butler Alexandra E. , Kirakossian David , Gurlo Tatyana , Gao Fuying , Coppola Giovanni , Butler Peter C. 
Published: August 2018

The pancreatic duct gland (PDG) compartment has been proposed as a potential stem cell niche based on its coiled tubular structure embedded in mesenchyme, its proliferation and expansion in response to pancreatic injury, and the fact that it contains endocrine and exocrine epithelial cells. Little is known of the molecular signature of the PDG compartment in either a quiescent state or the potentially activated state during β-cell stress characteristic of diabetes. To address this, we performed RNA sequencing on RNA obtained from PDGs of wild-type vs. prediabetic HIP rats, a model of type 2 diabetes. The transcriptome of the PDG compartment, compared with a library of 84 tissue types, placed PDGs midpoint between the exocrine and endocrine pancreas and closely related to seminiferous tubules, consistent with a role as a stem cell niche for the exocrine and endocrine pancreas. Standard differential expression analysis (permissive threshold P < 0.005) identified 245 genes differentially expressed in PDGs from HIP rats vs. WT rats, with overrepresentation of transcripts involved in acute inflammatory responses, regulation of cell proliferation, and tissue development, while pathway analysis pointed to enrichment of cell movement-related pathways. In conclusion, the transcriptome of the PDG compartment is consistent with a pancreatic stem cell niche that is activated by ongoing β-cell stress signals. The documented PDG transcriptome provides potential candidates to be exploited for lineage tracing studies of this as yet little investigated compartment. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The pancreatic duct gland (PDG) compartment has been proposed as a potential stem cell niche. Transcriptome analysis of the PDG gland placed it midpoint between exocrine and endocrine tissues with adaptation toward response to inflammation and increased cell movement in a model of type 2 diabetes with ongoing β-cell apoptosis. These findings support the proposal that PDGs may act as a pancreatic stem cell niche.
Endotoxemia-enhanced renal vascular reactivity to endothelin-1 in cirrhotic rats
Authors: Chuang Chiao-Lin , Chang Ching-Chih , Hsu Shao-Jung , Huang Hui-Chun , Lee Fa-Yauh , Huang Ling-Ju , Lee Shou-Dong 
Published: August 2018

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), a severe complication of advanced cirrhosis, is defined as hypoperfusion of kidneys resulting from intense renal vasoconstriction in response to generalized systemic arterial vasodilatation. Nevertheless, the mechanisms have been barely investigated. Cumulative studies demonstrated renal vasodilatation in portal hypertensive and compensated cirrhotic rats. Previously, we identified that blunted renal vascular reactivity of portal hypertensive rats was reversed after lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This study was therefore conducted to delineate the sequence of renal vascular alternation and underlying mechanisms in LPS-treated cirrhotic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to receive sham surgery (Sham) or common bile duct ligation (CBDL). LPS was induced on the 28th day after surgery. Kidney perfusion was performed at 0.5 or 3 h after LPS to evaluate renal vascular response to endothelin-1 (ET-1). Endotoxemia increased serum ET-1 levels ( P < 0.0001) and renal arterial blood flow ( P < 0.05) in both Sham and CBDL rats. CBDL rats showed enhanced renal vascular reactivity to ET-1 at 3 h after LPS ( P = 0.026). Pretreatment with endothelin receptor type A (ETA) antagonist abrogated the LPS-enhanced renal vascular response in CBDL rats ( P < 0.001). There were significantly lower inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression but higher ETAand phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) expressions in renal medulla of endotoxemic CBDL rats ( P < 0.05). We concluded that LPS-induced renal iNOS inhibition, ETAupregulation, and subsequent ERK signaling activation may participate in renal vascular hyperreactivity in cirrhosis. ET-1-targeted therapy may be feasible in the control of HRS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) occurred in advanced cirrhosis after large-volume paracentesis or bacterial peritonitis. We demonstrated that intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enhanced renal vascular reactivity to endothelin-1 (ET-1) in cirrhotic rats, accompanied by inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibition, endothelin receptor type A (ETA) upregulation, and subsequent extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in renal medulla. Pretreatment with ETAantagonist abrogated the LPS-enhanced renal vascular response in common bile duct ligation rats. These findings suggest that further clinical investigation of ET-1-targeted therapy may be feasible in the control of HRS.
Antibodies aggravate the development of ischemic heart failure
Authors: Keppner Lea , Heinrichs Margarete , Rieckmann Max , Demengeot Jocelyne , Frantz Stefan , Hofmann Ulrich , Ramos Gustavo 
Published: August 2018

Heart-specific antibodies have been widely associated with myocardial infarction (MI). However, it remains unclear whether autoantibodies mediate disease progression or are a byproduct of cardiac injury. To disambiguate the role of immunoglobulins in MI, we characterized the development of ischemic heart failure in agammaglobulinemic mice (AID−/−μS−/−). Although these animals can produce functional B cells, they cannot synthesize secretory IgM (μS−/−) or perform Ig class switching (AID−/−), leading to complete antibody deficiency. Agammaglobulinemia did not affect overall post-MI survival but resulted in a significant reduction in infarct size. Echocardiographic analyses showed that, compared with wild-type infarcted control mice, AID−/−μS−/− mice exhibited improved cardiac function and reduced remodeling on day 56 post-MI. These differences remained significant even after animals with matched infarct sizes were compared. Infarcted AID−/−μS−/− mice also showed reduced myocardial expression levels of transcripts known to promote adverse remodeling, such as matrix metalloproteinase-9, collagen type I a1, collagen type III a1, and IL-6. An unbiased screening of the heart reactivity potential in the plasma of wild-type MI animals revealed the presence of antibodies that target the myocardial scar and collagenase-sensitive epitopes. Moreover, we found that IgG accumulated within the scar tissues of infarcted mice and remained in close proximity with cells expressing Fcγ receptors (CD16/32), suggesting the existence of an in situ IgG-Fcγ receptor axis. Collectively, our study results confirm that antibodies contribute to ischemic heart failure progression and provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study sheds some light on the long-standing debate over the relevance of autoantibodies in heart failure and might stimulate future research in the field. The observation of extracellular matrix-specific antibodies and the detection of Fcγ receptor-expressing cells within the scar provide novel insights into the mechanisms by which antibodies may contribute to adverse remodeling.
Multilayer flow modulator enhances vital organ perfusion in patients with type B aortic dissection
Authors: Rikhtegar Nezami Farhad , Athanasiou Lambros S. , Amrute Junedh M. , Edelman Elazer R. 
Published: August 2018

Management of aortic dissections (AD) is still challenging, with no universally approved guideline among possible surgical, endovascular, or medical therapies. Approximately 25% of patients with AD suffer postintervention malperfusion syndrome or hemodynamic instability, with the risk of sudden death if left untreated. Part of the issue is that vascular implants may themselves induce flow disturbances that critically impact vital organs. A multilayer mesh construct might obviate the induced flow disturbances, and it is this concept we investigated. We used preintervention and post-multilayer flow modulator implantation (PM) geometries from clinical cases of type B AD. In-house semiautomatic segmentation routines were applied to computed tomography images to reconstruct the lumen. The device was numerically reconstructed and adapted to the PM geometry concentrically fit to the true lumen centerline. We also numerically designed a pseudohealthy case, where the geometry of the aorta was extracted interpolating geometric features of preintervention, postimplantation, and published representative healthy volunteers. Computational fluid dynamics methods were used to study the time-dependent flow patterns, shear stress metrics, and perfusion to vital organs. A three-element Windkessel lumped parameter module was coupled to a finite-volume solver to assign dynamic outlet boundary conditions. Multilayer flow modulator not only significantly reduced false lumen blood flow, eliminated local flow disturbances, and globally regulated wall shear stress distribution but also maintained physiological perfusion to peripheral vital organs. We propose further investigation to focus the management of AD on both modulation of blood flow and restoration of physiologic end-organ perfusion rather than mere restoration of vascular lamina morphology. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The majority of aortic dissection modeling efforts have focused on the maintenance of physiological flow using minimally invasive placed grafts. The multilayer flow modulator is a complex mesh construct of wires, designed to eliminate flow disruptions in the lumen, regulate the physiological wall stresses, and enhance endothelial function and offering the promise of improved perfusion of vital organs. This has never been fully proved or modeled, and these issues we confirmed using a dynamic framework of time-varying arterial waveforms.