bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A study of the pharmacokinetics and thromboxane inhibitory activity of a single intramuscular dose of carprofen as a means to establish its potential use as an analgesic drug in white rhinoceros
Authors: Leiberich M. , Krebber R. , Hewetson M. , Marais J. , Naidoo V. 
Published: April 2018

The alleviation of pain and prevention of suffering are key aspects of animal welfare. Unfortunately, analgesic drugs are not available for all species. White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), representing one of such species, which survive poaching attempts inflicted with severe facial injuries and gunshot wounds, nonetheless require analgesic support. To improve treatment conditions, this study explored the use of carprofen for the treatment of pain and inflammation in white rhinoceros. The pharmacokinetics of 1 mg/kg intramuscular carprofen was evaluated in six healthy white rhinoceros. The half‐life of λzand mean residence time was 105.71 ± 15.67 and 155.01 ± 22.46 hr, respectively. The area under the curve and the maximum carprofen concentration were 904.61 ± 110.78 μg ml−1 hr−1and 5.77 ± 0.63 μg/ml, respectively. PlasmaTXB2inhibition demonstrated anti‐inflammatory properties and indicated that carprofen may be effective for a minimum of 48 hr in most animals. With its long half‐life further indicating that a single dose could be effective for several days, we suggest that carprofen may be a useful drug for the treatment of white rhinoceros.
How do mycorrhizal suppression and plant functional group loss affect plant communities in Inner Mongolia Steppe?
Authors: Yang Xin , Shen Yue , Chen Jishan , Guo Yanping , Zhang Yingjun 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimsAlthough many studies have investigated how biodiversity loss impacts ecosystem functioning, we still have little understanding of how it interacts with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to affect plant communities in natural grasslands. Here, we conducted a removal experiment to examine how AMF suppression and plant functional group (PFG) removal affect above‐ground productivity and community composition in a grassland, and to determine whether AMF alter the compensation ability of the remaining plants.LocationInner Mongolian grassland, China.MethodsWe suppressed AMF activities by applying Topsin®‐M as a soil drench and selectively removed PFGs to give three treatments (no removal, removal of C3 grasses and removal of both C4 grasses and forbs). We then measured various plant, soil and AMF parameters for each treatment combination.ResultsThe addition of Topsin‐M effectively reduced mycorrhizal root colonization across all of the PFG removal treatments. Furthermore, above‐ground productivity was significantly impacted by both the presence of AMF and the removal of PFGs. When C3 grasses were removed, neither C4 grasses nor forbs compensated for the biomass decline, and the presence of AMF did not affect their compensation ability. Conversely, C3 grasses could completely compensate for the removal of both C4 grasses and forbs, but the presence of AMF reduced their compensation ability. The removal of both C4 grasses and forbs dramatically increased the shoot P content of C3 grasses but AMF slightly decreased this. In contrast, AMF significantly increased the plant P content of C4 grasses and forbs across all three PFG removal treatments.ConclusionOur results highlight the importance of AMF in structuring natural above‐ground productivity under various biodiversity loss scenarios, and indicate that AMF will be able to modify vegetation dynamics in response to the future loss of plant diversity.
Contributions of nonmaternal caregivers to infant feeding in a low‐income African‐American sample
Authors: Barrett Katherine J. , Wasser Heather M. , Thompson Amanda L. , Bentley Margaret E. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractInfant feeding is a well‐established topic of interest in obesity research, yet few studies have focused on contributions of nonmaternal caregivers (NMCs)—such as fathers, grandparents, and daycare providers—to infant feeding. Data from the Infant Care, Feeding and Risk of Obesity Project in North Carolina were used to investigate (a) which factors were associated with NMC feeding styles and (b) how NMCs' and mothers' feeding styles compared. Multivariate regression models utilizing random effects were used to analyse data from 108 NMCs who were identified by mothers as being heavily involved in infant feeding. Feeding styles were measured using the Infant Feeding Style Questionnaire. Several individual characteristics were important. Higher laissez faire‐attention scores were reported by men and NMCs who lived in the same household as infant. Men reported higher indulgent‐coax and indulgent‐pamper scores. Perceptions of fussier infants, older infant age, and higher infant weight‐for‐length z‐scores were also important. Mothers' and NMCs' feeding styles differed. Compared with mothers, grandparents reported lower laissez faire and indulgent‐permissive scores. Fathers reported higher pressure‐soothe and indulgent scores. Daycare providers reported higher restriction‐diet quality and responsive satiety. Feeding styles were also predicted to change over time for all caregiver types. These findings highlight the importance of helping all caregivers develop skills that will promote optimal infant feeding outcomes. Given the paucity of research in this area, it is important to improve our understanding of what influences caregivers' feeding styles, especially among diverse populations, and how exposure to different feeding styles may shape children's obesity risk.
Adaptive population divergence and directional gene flow across steep elevational gradients in a climate‐sensitive mammal
Authors: Waterhouse Matthew D. , Erb Liesl P. , Beever Erik A. , Russello Michael A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe ecological effects of climate change have been shown in most major taxonomic groups; however, the evolutionary consequences are less well‐documented. Adaptation to new climatic conditions offers a potential long‐term mechanism for species to maintain viability in rapidly changing environments, but mammalian examples remain scarce. The American pika (Ochotona princeps) has been impacted by recent climate‐associated extirpations and range‐wide reductions in population sizes, establishing it as a sentinel mammalian species for climate change. To investigate evidence for local adaptation and reconstruct patterns of genomic diversity and gene flow across rapidly changing environments, we used a space‐for‐time design and restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing to genotype American pikas along two steep elevational gradients at 30,966 SNPs and employed independent outlier detection methods that scanned for genotype‐environment associations. We identified 338 outlier SNPs detected by two separate analyses and/or replicated in both transects, several of which were annotated to genes involved in metabolic function and oxygen transport. Additionally, we found evidence of directional gene flow primarily downslope from high‐elevation populations, along with reduced gene flow at outlier loci. If this trend continues, elevational range contractions in American pikas will likely be from local extirpation rather than upward movement of low‐elevation individuals; this, in turn, could limit the potential for adaptation within this landscape. These findings are of particular relevance for future conservation and management of American pikas and other elevationally restricted, thermally sensitive species.
MHC‐mediated sexual selection on birdsong: Generic polymorphism, particular alleles and acoustic signals
Authors: Garamszegi László Zsolt , Zagalska‐Neubauer Magdalena , Canal David , Blázi György , Laczi Miklós , Nagy Gergely , Szöllősi Eszter , Vaskuti Éva , Török János , Zsebők Sándor 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSeveral hypotheses predict that the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) drives mating preference in females. Olfactory, colour or morphological traits are often found as reliable signals of the MHC profile, but the role of avian song mediating MHC‐based female choice remains largely unexplored. We investigated the relationship between several MHC and acoustic features in the collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis), a European passerine with complex songs. We screened a fragment of the class IIB second exon of the MHC molecule, of which individuals harbour 4–15 alleles, while considerable sequence diversity is maintained at the population level. To make statistical inferences from a large number of comparisons, we adopted both null‐hypothesis testing and effect size framework in combination with randomization procedures. After controlling for potential confounding factors, neither MHC allelic diversity nor the presence of particular alleles was associated remarkably with the investigated qualitative and quantitative song traits. Furthermore, genetic similarity among males based on MHC sequences was not reflected by the similarity in their song based on syllable content. Overall, these results suggest that the relationship between features of song and the allelic composition and diversity of MHC is not strong in the studied species. However, a biologically motivated analysis revealed that individuals that harbour an MHC allele that impairs survival perform songs with broader frequency range. This finding suggests that certain aspects of the song may bear reliable information concerning the MHC profile of the individuals, which can be used by females to optimize mate choice.
Temperature gradient affects differentiation of gene expression and SNP allele frequencies in the dominant Lake Baikal zooplankton species
Authors: Bowman Larry L. , Kondrateva Elizaveta S. , Timofeyev Maxim A. , Yampolsky Lev Y. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLocal adaptation and phenotypic plasticity are main mechanisms of organisms’ resilience in changing environments. Both are affected by gene flow and are expected to be weak in zooplankton populations inhabiting large continuous water bodies and strongly affected by currents. Lake Baikal, the deepest and one of the coldest lakes on Earth, experienced epilimnion temperature increase during the last 100 years, exposing Baikal's zooplankton to novel selective pressures. We obtained a partial transcriptome of Epischura baikalensis (Copepoda: Calanoida), the dominant component of Baikal's zooplankton, and estimated SNP allele frequencies and transcript abundances in samples from regions of Baikal that differ in multiyear average surface temperatures. The strongest signal in both SNP and transcript abundance differentiation is the SW‐NE gradient along the 600+ km long axis of the lake, suggesting isolation by distance. SNP differentiation is stronger for nonsynonymous than synonymous SNPs and is paralleled by differential survival during a laboratory exposure to increased temperature, indicating directional selection operating on the temperature gradient. Transcript abundance, generally collinear with the SNP differentiation, shows samples from the warmest, less deep location clustering together with the southernmost samples. Differential expression is more frequent among transcripts orthologous to candidate thermal response genes previously identified in model arthropods, including genes encoding cytoskeleton proteins, heat‐shock proteins, proteases, enzymes of central energy metabolism, lipid and antioxidant pathways. We conclude that the pivotal endemic zooplankton species in Lake Baikal exists under temperature‐mediated selection and possesses both genetic variation and plasticity to respond to novel temperature‐related environmental pressures.
SOFA coagulation score and changes in platelet counts in severe acute kidney injury: Analysis from the randomized evaluation of normal versus augmented level (RENAL) study
Authors: Lin Jin , Gallagher Martin , Bellomo Rinaldo , Duan Meili , Trongtrakul Konlawi , Wang Amanda Ying ,   The Renal Study Investigators and the Anzics Clincal Trials Group
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTAimTo evaluate the prognostic value of baseline SOFA coagulation score (SOFA‐CS) and change in platelet counts in patients with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).MethodsWe performed a secondary analysis from the Randomized Evaluation of Normal versus Augmented Level of RRT (RENAL) study. The primary endpoint was all‐cause mortality at 90 days after randomization. The association between baseline SOFA‐CS, changes in platelet counts, process of care, and clinical outcomes were analyzed using multivariate Cox model adjusted for baseline variables.ResultsThe complete SOFA‐CS data were available in 1454 out of 1508 patients from the RENAL study. Among them, 708 patients had an abnormal SOFA‐CS (defined as SOFA‐CS ≥ 1), while 746 patients had normal SOFA‐CS at baseline (SOFA‐CS = 0). An abnormal SOFA‐CS was independently associated with an increased risk of death at 90 days (HR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.05–1.53, P = 0.015). An abnormal SOFA‐CS was associated with prolonged length of ICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation as well. Furthermore, there was no significant association between changes in platelet counts in patients who survived beyond 4 days and 90 day mortality (HR = 1.26, 95% CI = 0.29–5.56, P = 0.76). However, on multivariable analysis a decline of ≥60% (HR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.23–3.05, P = 0.004) was associated with 90 day mortality in patients who survived beyond the first 4 days.ConclusionsIn the RENAL study, thrombocytopaenia is a common phenomenon in patients with severe AKI receiving CRRT. An abnormal baseline SOFA‐CS and reductions in platelet counts were associated with increased mortality at 90 days.
Through‐focus optical characteristics of monofocal and bifocal soft contact lenses across the peripheral visual field
Authors: Ji Qiuzhi , Yoo Young‐Sik , Alam Hira , Yoon Geunyoung 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPurposeTo characterise the impact of monofocal soft contact lens (SCL) and bifocal SCLs on refractive error, depth of focus (DoF) and orientation of blur in the peripheral visual field.MethodsMonofocal and two bifocal SCLs, Acuvue Bifocal (AVB, Johnson & Johnson) and Misight Dual Focus (DF, CooperVision) with +2.0 D add power were modelled using a ray tracing program (ZEMAX) based on their power maps. These SCLs were placed onto the anterior corneal surface of the simulated Atchison myopic eye model to correct for −3.0 D spherical refractive error at the fovea. To quantify through‐focus retinal image quality, defocus from −3.5 D to 1.5 D in 0.5 D steps was induced at each horizontal eccentricity from 0 to 40° in 10° steps. Wavefront aberrations were computed for each visual eccentricity and defocus. The retinal images were simulated using a custom software program developed in Matlab (The MathWorks) by convolving the point spread function calculated from the aberration with a reference image. The convolved images were spatially filtered to match the spatial resolution limit of each peripheral eccentricity. Retinal image quality was then quantified by the 2‐D cross‐correlation between the filtered convolved retinal images and the reference image. Peripheral defocus, DoF and orientation of blur were also estimated.ResultsIn comparison with the monofocal SCL, the bifocal SCLs degraded retinal image quality while DoF was increased at fovea. From 10 to 20°, a relatively small amount of myopic shift (less than 0.3 D) was induced by bifocal SCLs compared with monofocal. DoF was also increased with bifocal SCLs at peripheral vision of 10 and 20°. The trend of myopic shift became less consistent at larger eccentricity, where at 30° DF showed a 0.75 D myopic shift while AVB showed a 0.2 D hyperopic shift and both AVB and DF exhibited large relative hyperopic defocus at 40°. The anisotropy in orientation of blur was found to increase and change its direction through focus beyond central vision. This trend was found to be less dominant with bifocal SCLs compared to monofocal SCL.ConclusionsBifocal SCLs have a relatively small impact on myopic shift in peripheral refractive error while DoF is increased significantly. We hypothetically suggest that a mechanism underlying myopia control with these bifocal or multifocal contact lenses is an increase in DoF and a decrease in anisotropy of peripheral optical blur.
How to Use Cognitive Faculties You Never Knew You Had
Authors: Moon Andrew 
Published: April 2018

AbstractNorman forms the belief that the president is in New York by way of a clairvoyance faculty he doesn’t know he has. Many agree that his belief is unjustified but disagree about why it is unjustified. I argue that the lack of justification cannot be explained by a higher‐level evidence requirement on justification, but it can be explained by a no‐defeater requirement. I then explain how you can use cognitive faculties you don’t know you have. Lastly, I use lessons from the foregoing to compare Norman's belief, formed by clairvoyance, with Sally's theistic belief, formed by a sensus divinitatis.
Photosynthetic responses to photosynthetically active radiation and temperature including chilling‐light stress on the heteromorphic life history stages of a brown alga, Cladosiphon okamuranus (Chordariaceae) from Ryukyu Islands, Japan
Authors: Fukumoto Rika , Borlongan Iris Ann , Nishihara Gregory N. , Endo Hikaru , Terada Ryuta 
Published: April 2018

SUMMARYPhotosynthetic responses to temperature and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were investigated on the heteromorphic life history stages (macroscopic and microscopic stages) of an edible Japanese brown alga, Cladosiphon okamuranus from the Ryukyu Islands. Measurements were carried out by using optical dissolved oxygen sensors and a pulse‐amplitude modulated fluorometer. Maximum net photosynthetic rates and other parameters of the Photosynthesis – PAR curves at 28°C were somewhat similar in both life history stages, without characteristic photoinhibition at 1000 μmol photons m−2 s−1. Results of oxygenic gross photosynthesis and dark respiration experiments over a temperature range of 8–40°C revealed similar temperature optima for both stages (29.7°C, macroscopic stage; 30.3°C, microscopic stage), which support their observed occurrences in the habitat during summer. Maximum quantum yields of photosystem II (PSII) (F
v/F
m) were relatively stable at low temperatures with the highest at 15.1°C for the macroscopic stage and at 16.5°C for the microscopic stage; but dropped at higher temperatures especially above 28°C. Continuous exposures (6 h) to 200 and 1000 μmol photons m−2 s−1 at 8, 16, and 28°C revealed greater depressions in effective quantum yields of PSII (Φ
PSII) of the microscopic stage at 8°C, as well as its F
v/F
m that barely increased after 6 h of dark acclimation. Whereas post‐dark acclimation F
v/F
m of both stages exposed to low PAR fairly recovered at 28°C, suggesting their photosynthetic tolerance to such high temperature. Under natural conditions, both heteromorphic stages of C. okamuranus may persist throughout the year in this region. Beyond its northern limit of distribution, the microscopic stage of this species may suffer from photodamage, as enhanced by low winter temperatures; hence, its restricted occurrence.
Prognostic factors and disease behaviour of pathologically proven fibrotic non‐specific interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Yamakawa Hideaki , Kitamura Hideya , Takemura Tamiko , Ikeda Satoshi , Sekine Akimasa , Baba Tomohisa , Iwasawa Tae , Hagiwara Eri , Sato Shinji , Ogura Takashi 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveNon‐specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) has heterogeneous characteristics in terms of background, disease behaviour and prognosis. This study of fibrotic NSIP (f‐NSIP) aimed to elucidate prognosis and disease behaviour from the viewpoint of clinical background and determine whether long‐term change of pulmonary function could provide useful prognostic information.MethodsWe analysed the medical records of 157 consecutive patients diagnosed with f‐NSIP by surgical lung biopsy. Disease behaviour was categorized into two groups depending on long‐term change of pulmonary function: progressive type (relative ≥5%/year decline in the slope of forced vital capacity and/or relative ≥7.5%/year decline in the slope of %diffusing capacity of lung carbon monoxide) or stable type. Predictors of disease behaviour and prognosis were determined using logistic and Cox regression models.ResultsOur f‐NSIP cohort included interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) (36.9%), idiopathic (non‐IPAF) (22.3%) and connective tissue disease‐associated interstitial lung disease (40.8%). Multivariate analysis showed that idiopathic (non‐IPAF) f‐NSIP and progressive type disease were negative prognostic factors of mortality. Poor treatment response at 1 year was an independent predictor of progressive type disease, but was not related to survival. In terms of disease behaviour based on pulmonary function change, some patients with IPAF f‐NSIP showed a progressive course.ConclusionAlthough an IPAF diagnosis was useful for identifying good prognosis in idiopathic f‐NSIP, some idiopathic f‐NSIP patients with or without IPAF showed progressive disease despite therapy. The definition of progressive type disease may be useful in clinical decision‐making when determining therapy for f‐NSIP.
GeneXpert MTB/RIF for rapid diagnosis and rifampin resistance detection of endobronchial tuberculosis
Authors: Zhang Qin , Zhang Qing , Sun Bing‐qi , Liu Chang , Su An‐na , Wang Xiao‐han , Liu Na , Zhang Juan , Kang Jian , Hou Gang 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveDelayed diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) contribute to poor outcomes, especially for endobronchial TB (EBTB), which typically leads to tracheobronchial stenosis. Finding rapid and accurate diagnostic tools for EBTB is crucial. GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)/rifampin (RIF) was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a standard molecular biological diagnostic technique for MTB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of GeneXpert MTB/RIF for diagnosing EBTB and for evaluating RIF resistance.MethodsBiopsy tissue and bronchial brushings from EBTB patients were prospectively assessed with GeneXpert MTB/RIF. The diagnostic yields of auramine O‐stained sputum smears and bronchial brush smears were obtained, and the results were compared with the cultures of sputum and biopsy tissues for MTB.ResultsIn 61 confirmed cases of EBTB, the sensitivities of sputum smear, bronchial brush smear, sputum culture and tissue culture to diagnose EBTB were 13.1%, 32.8%, 36.1% and 68.9%, respectively. For bronchial brushings and biopsies, our data showed sensitivities of 57.4% and 63.9%, respectively, and a specificity of 100% for GeneXpert MTB/RIF, and these results were superior to those of sputum smears, bronchial brush smears and sputum culture. GeneXpert MTB/RIF for bronchial brushings and biopsies showed complementarity in its diagnostic performance. Resistance to RIF was identified in 17.4% (8/46) of GeneXpert MTB‐positive cases.ConclusionGeneXpert MTB/RIF may enable more rapid EBTB diagnosis and determination of RIF resistance, which are crucial for timely treatment.