bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating European Food Safety Authority Protection Goals for Honeybees (Apis mellifera): What Do They Mean for Pollination?
Authors: Croft Simon , Brown Mike , Wilkins Selwyn , Hart Andy , Smith Graham C 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

In recent years there has been growing concern regarding the sudden and unexplained failure of honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies. Several factors have been suggested, including pesticides. In an effort to regulate their impact, guidance published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recommended that the magnitude of effects on exposed colonies should not exceed 7% reduction in colony size after 2 brood cycles. However, fears have been raised regarding the practicality of measuring such a loss in the field. It is also unclear how this protection goal relates to maintaining the ecosystem services provided by bees, which we argue should be a primary objective for regulators. Here, we evaluate what these protection goals mean in relation to ecosystems performance using a computational colony model that incorporates mechanisms to simulate both lethal and sublethal pesticide effects. To these simulations, we apply a testing regime similar to that commonly used in field trials to produce standard assessment metrics. By relating these measures to losses in forager activity, we aim to identify which could be used as effective indicators of reduced ecoservice and to quantify acceptable limits below which performance can be maintained. Our findings show that loss of colony size is the best indicator of reduced ecoservice. Metrics that focus on specific colony functions such as increased brood or forager mortality are ineffective indicators for all types of simulated pesticide effects. At the levels of colony loss recommended by EFSA, using our default parameterization, we predict a loss of ecosystems performance of 3% to 4%. However, based on an extensive sensitivity analysis, it is clear that this estimate is subject to substantial uncertainty with losses under alternative parameterizations of up to 14%. Nevertheless, our model provides a valuable framework for assessing protection goals, allowing regulators to test relevant impacts and quantify their magnitude. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:750–758. © 2018 Crown Copyright and SETAC

Key Points
A colony model was developed for simulating regulatory field trials of pesticide exposure on honeybees. The model was used to evaluate EFSA protection goals in terms of impact on ecosystem service. Of standard field metrics, colony loss is the only indicator of impaired ecosystem service. For a 7% colony loss, the model predicts maximum foraging losses of between 0% and 14%.
Comparative ultrastructure of the fertilized egg envelope in Corydoras adolfoi and Corydoras sterbai, Callichthyidae, Teleostei
Authors: Choi Eun‐Kyung , Sohn Joon Hyung , Han Sung Sik , Kim Dong Heui 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn teleost, the structural characteristics of fertilized egg and egg envelope are very important for classification of genus or species. The structures of fertilized egg and egg envelope from Corydoras adolfoi and Corydoras sterbai, Callichthyidae, Siluriformes in teleost were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopes to confirm whether these morphological structures have specificities of species and family or not. The fertilized eggs of C. adolfoi and C. sterbai were non‐transparent, spherical, demersal, and strong adhesive. There were no structural differences between two species through the light microscope. The size of the fertilized eggs of C. adolfoi was 1.95 ± 0.03 mm (n = 20), and that of C. sterbai was 1.92 ± 0.03 mm (n = 20). The perivitelline space was almost not developed in both species. In both species, the adhesive protuberances structures were on the outer surface of egg envelope. And fibrous structures were specially located at attachment part of spawning bed. And the egg envelope consisted of two layers, an inner lamellae layer and an outer strong adhesive layer with high electron dense protuberances structures in cross section. Consequentially, the fertilized eggs, outer surface on the egg envelope and cross section of egg envelope have identical structure. So, these structural characteristics of fertilized eggs and egg envelope show genus Corydoras specificity.
Radioimmunoimaging and targeting treatment in an immunocompetent murine model of triple‐negative breast cancer using radiolabeled anti–programmed death‐ligand 1 monoclonal antibody
Authors: Pang Xiaoxi , Liu Meng , Wang Rongfu , Liao Xuhe , Yan Ping , Zhang Chunli 
Published: June 2018

The overall aim of this study was to evaluate whether iodine‐131 radiolabeled monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) can be used for imaging of PD‐L1 expression noninvasively in vivo and playing synergistic effect combined with immunotherapy. Anti‐PD‐L1 mAb was radiolabeled with iodine‐131 (131I‐PD‐L1 mAb) and was characterized in vitro. Biodistribution and imaging in vivo were performed periodically. Therapy study was conducted in triple‐negative breast cancer–bearing BALB/c mice. As results, the labeling efficiencies of 131I‐PD‐L1 mAb reached 80% ± 3%, with radiochemical purity of 97% ± 1%. 131I‐PD‐L1 mAb preserved the capacity to bind living PD‐L1‐expressing cells specifically in vitro. Tumor radioactivity uptake of 131I‐PD‐L1 mAb was significantly higher than that of control groups. The xenografts were clearly imaged from 48 to 72 hours noninvasively after injection of 131I‐PD‐L1 mAb, while the xenografts were not imaged in control groups. Tumor growth was significantly inhibited, and median survival time was remarkably prolonged in combination therapy group compared with control groups. It was concluded that 131I‐PD‐L1 mAb can be a potential theranostic candidate for visualizing of PD‐L1 expression noninvasively and performing synergistic therapy in carcinomas.
Description and Preliminary Outcomes of an In Vivo Exposure Group Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Porter Eliora , Romero Erin G. , Barone Melissa D. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractProlonged exposure (PE) therapy is traditionally delivered individually to patients. To engage more veterans in care, an in vivo exposure group treatment was developed in an urban VA medical center. This treatment represented a modification of the in vivo exposure portion of PE, with the addition of in‐session, therapist‐assisted in vivo exposures. Here, we describe this 12‐week treatment and present preliminary outcome data. Demographics and pre‐ and posttreatment scores on the PTSD Checklist–Specific (PCL‐S) and Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI‐II) were extracted from a program evaluation database. The sample included veterans with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who participated in the in vivo exposure group between October 2010 and March 2014 and had available treatment outcome data (N = 43). The majority of participants in the sample were male (n = 41, 95.3%) and Black (n = 34, 79.1%). Participation in the in vivo group was associated with a significant decrease in PCL‐S scores, with a medium‐large effect size, t(42) = 5.35, p < .001, d = 0.73, and a significant decrease in BDI‐II scores, with a small effect size, t(38) = 2.55, p = .015, d = 0.23. Previous participation in an evidenced‐based treatment (EBT) was not associated with symptom change following the in vivo group. Findings suggest that in vivo exposure group therapy constitutes a promising intervention for individuals who decline EBTs or remain symptomatic after completing an EBT for PTSD. Further study of this treatment using a randomized controlled trial design is warranted.
Acceptance of bats to gates at abandoned mines
Authors: Tobin Abigail , Corbett R. J. M. , Walker Faith M. , Chambers Carol L. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTCaves and abandoned mines provide roosting habitat for bat species that depend on subterranean conditions. Disturbances at caves (e.g., commercial development, recreation) limit their availability to bats, in some cases shifting use to abandoned mines. However, abandoned mines pose public safety hazards and often are gated to reduce risk to humans while maintaining access to bats. To date there is limited information on species‐specific acceptance of gates at abandoned mines. We designed our research objectives to determine short‐term (1 week) behavioral responses of bats to gating, including gate material and height above ground, mid‐term (<1 yr) changes in bat use before and after gate installation, and long‐term changes (≥4 yrs) in use and factors influencing species presence. We used an in situ mock gate experiment, comparison of bat use before and after gating, and genetic identification of guano in gated mines for our short‐, mid‐, and long‐term studies, respectively. In our short‐term study, bats increased energetically demanding behaviors following gate installation. Although we detected no difference in responses to gate material or height, a less maneuverable bat species circled, collided, and landed more frequently on gates than did an agile species. In the mid‐term study, activity remained stable or increased at 73% of mines after gating compared to before gating, although number of maternity colonies decreased. In the long‐term study, elevation, portal area, number of mine levels, and entrances were more important than gates in predicting presence of 4 bat species, including 2 subterranean obligates. Species‐specific responses to gates appeared based on morphology and vocalization characteristics. Responses to gates shifted from negative in our short‐term study to positive in our long‐term study. Gate age and mine characteristics were more important predictors of use for most species than gate design. Although the complexity of subterranean habitats makes them difficult to replicate and many factors may influence how bats use this habitat, gates designed for bats (bat‐compatible) appear effective for many species. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Natural Abundance Carbon Isotopic Analysis Indicates the Equal Contribution of Local Synthesis and Plasma Uptake to Palmitate Levels in the Mouse Brain
Authors: Lacombe R. J. Scott , Giuliano Vanessa , Chouinard‐Watkins Raphaël , Bazinet Richard P. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSaturated fatty acids are the most abundant fatty acids in the brain, however, there has been some debate regarding the ability of intact dietary saturated fatty acids to be incorporated into the brain. In the present study, we use compound specific isotope analysis to measure the natural abundance carbon isotopic signature of brain, liver, and blood palmitic acid (PAM) and compare it to the dietary PAM and sugar isotopic signatures to calculate the relative contribution of both the incorporation of intact and endogenously synthesized PAM to these pools. Mice were equilibrated to the study diet, and extracted fatty acids were analyzed with gas chromatography isotope ratio mass spectrometry to determine the carbon isotopic signature of PAM (δ13CPAM). Liver, serum total, and serum unesterified fatty acid δ13CPAM ranged between −20.6 and −21.1 mUr and were approximately 8.5 mUr more enriched in 13C when compared to the dietary PAM signature. Brain δ13CPAM was found to be more enriched than liver or blood pools (−16.7 ± 0.2 mUr, mean ± SD). Two end‐member‐mixed modeling using the carbon isotopic signature of dietary PAM and dietary sugars determined the contribution of synthesis to the total tissue PAM pool to range between 44% and 48%. This suggests that endogenous synthesis and dietary PAM are near equal contributors to brain, liver, and blood PAM pools. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that brain PAM levels are maintained by both local endogenous synthesis and through the uptake of intact PAM from the blood.
Reflux Precipitation Polymerization: A New Platform for the Preparation of Uniform Polymeric Nanogels for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Fan Mingliang , Wang Fang , Wang Changchun 
Published: June 2018

AbstractReflux precipitation polymerization (RPP) represents an effective approach that enables to prepare various types of polymeric nanogels with precise control over the morphology and structure. Owing to facile loading or modification by a variety of functional moieties, rationally designed nanogels pose the possibility to attain a platform for tailoring functional properties that could be widely used for various biomedical applications, such as multifunctional drug delivery, enrichment of functional peptides, separation of specific proteins, as well as detection of circulating tumor cells. This feature article highlights RPP as a promising polymerization strategy that provides access to facile generation of modular nanostructures or multifunctional properties in a diverse range of biomedical applications, proving that RPP has great potential to become one of the most attractive polymerization techniques in polymer chemistry.
CO2‐Breathing Polymer Assemblies via One‐Pot Sequential RAFT Dispersion Polymerization
Authors: Zeng Min , Huo Meng , Feng Yujun , Yuan Jinying 
Published: June 2018

AbstractABC triblock copolymer assemblies with reversible “breathing” behaviors based on poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate]‐b‐poly(benzyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly[2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (POEGMA‐b‐PBnMA‐b‐PDEA) are fabricated via one‐pot sequential reverisble addition‐fragmentation chain transfer dispersion polymerization. Using a POEGMA as the macromolecular chain transfer agent, chain extension with BnMA and DEA is conducted in ethanol, where PBnMA acts as the core‐forming block, and the PDEA block endows the solvophilicity and CO2‐responsiveness. With the increment of the DP of PBnMA, the morphology of the assemblies evolves from spheres to worms, and to vesicles, while it degenerates from conglutinated vesicles to spheres as the DP of PDEA increases. After replacing ethanol with water, the morphologies of these assemblies remain unchanged, while their size decreases due to the collapse of the hydrophobic PDEA chains. Interestingly, due to the protonation and deprotonation of PDEA blocks, both the spheres and vesicles manifest a reversible expansion/shrinkage upon alternative CO2/Ar stimulation, exhibiting distinctive breathing feature.
The impact of implementing a fall prevention educational session for community‐dwelling physical therapy patients
Authors: Ott Lynda Dee 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a fall prevention educational session on fall risk knowledge, use of fall prevention interventions and the number of falls in community‐dwelling older persons attending physical therapy.DesignThis pilot study used a mixed method design consisting of a quantitative pretest–posttest quasi‐experimental design followed by a qualitative interview.MethodAn educational intervention was given with pre‐ and posttest questionnaires to determine the outcome measures of: (a) fall risk knowledge; (b) number of participants implementing fall prevention techniques; and (c) the number of falls sustained for 60 days post the educational sessions. The Health Belief Model served as the theoretical underpinnings for development and presentation of two educational sessions.ResultsEight of 20 participants completed the fall prevention educational sessions and subsequent evaluation. An increase in fall risk knowledge (p = 0.031) and implementation of fall prevention techniques was noted. One fall was sustained 60 days after therapy discharge.
Memory of Chirality as a Prominent Pathway for the Synthesis of Natural Products through Chiral Intermediates
Authors: Hardwick Tomas , Ahmed Nisar 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe ability of a chiral molecule to be able to transform from one structure to another, whilst remembering its original molecular information by means of an appropriate transition state is an abstract notion that may very well play a key role in important synthetic processes, and has thus attracted a considerable amount of attention among the chemistry community. Here, we have highlighted this concept of “memory of chirality” (MOC) and extended it beyond the case of a simple molecule to larger and more complex natural products. Updated approaches that have recently been elucidated to obtain these asymmetric natural products are described, some of which may, until now, have been overcomplicated or overlooked.
Association of plasma nitrite levels with obesity and metabolic syndrome in the Old Order Amish
Authors: Akram F. , Fuchs D. , Daue M. , Nijjar G. , Ryan A. , Benros M. E. , Okusaga O. , Baca‐Garcia E. , Brenner L. A. , Lowry C. A. , Ryan K. A. , Pavlovich M. , Mitchell B. D. , Snitker S. , Postolache T. T. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryObjectivesPlasma nitrite is a metabolite of nitric oxide and reflects endogenous nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. Although plasma nitrites were previously linked with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS), the direction of association remains inconsistent, possibly due to sample heterogeneity. In a relatively homogeneous population, we hypothesized that nitrite levels will be positively associated with overweight/obesity and MetS.MethodsFasting nitrite levels were measured in 116 Old Order Amish (78% women). We performed age‐and‐sex‐adjusted ancovas to compare nitrite levels between three groups (a) overweight/obese(−)MetS(−), (b) overweight/obese(+)MetS(−) and (c) overweight/obese(+)MetS)(+). Multivariate linear regressions were conducted on nitrite associations with continuous metabolic variables, with successive adjustments for demographics, body mass index, C‐reactive protein and neopterin.ResultsNitrite levels were higher in the obese/overweight(+)MetS(+) group than in the other two groups (p < 0.001). Nitrites were positively associated with levels of triglycerides (p < 0.0001), total cholesterol (p = 0.048), high‐density lipoprotein/cholesterol ratio (p < 0.0001) and fasting glucose (p < 0.0001), and negatively correlated with high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (p < 0.0001). These associations were robust to adjustments for body mass index and inflammatory markers.ConclusionFurther investigation of the connection between obesity/MetS and plasma nitrite levels may lead to novel dietary and pharmacological approaches that ultimately may contribute to reducing the increasing burden of obesity, MetS and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Proposal for standardized prenatal ultrasound assessment of the fetus with congenital diaphragmatic hernia by the European reference network on rare inherited and congenital anomalies (ERNICA)
Authors: Russo Francesca Maria , Cordier Anne‐Gael , De Catte Luc , Saada Julien , Benachi Alexandra , Deprest Jan ,   on behalf of the Workstream Prenatal Management, ERNICA European reference network
Published: June 2018

AbstractCongenital diaphragmatic hernia is a rare disease associated with high mortality and morbidity. Antenatal ultrasound screening identifies more than 70% of cases, providing the opportunity for in utero referral to a tertiary care center for expert assessment and perinatal management. Additional genetic and morphologic assessment may be used to rule out associated anomalies. In isolated cases, the outcome may be predicted prenatally by medical imaging. The combination of lung size and liver herniation is a widely accepted method to stratify fetuses into groups with an increasing degree of pulmonary hypoplasia and corresponding mortality rates. Ultrasound measurement of the observed to expected lung‐to‐head ratio (o/e LHR) is most widely used. The o/e LHR is an independent predictor of survival and short‐term morbidity. Finally, evaluation of stomach position has recently been introduced as an indirect method to estimate severity of the disease in left‐sided defects, as it has been shown to correlate with the proportion of intrathoracic liver. Herein, we propose a protocol for the standardized ultrasound assessment of fetuses with isolated CDH and individualized prediction of neonatal outcome.
Measurement of the limiting subcell in multijunction space solar devices by restricted‐wavelength‐range illumination
Authors: Arcadi Francesco , Parravicini Jacopo , Campesato Roberta , Casale Mariacristina , Greco Erminio , Binetti Simona 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDuring their employment in space applications, InGaP/InGaAs/Ge‐based multijunction solar cells undergo strong particle bombardments that decrease their performances. As InGaP is more resistant to radiation, the whole device is usually designed in “top‐limited” configuration. Then the development of high‐efficiency and reliable devices needs standard techniques for identifying the limiting subcell before and after irradiation. We here present a specific method to determine the limiting subcell and matching current in multijunction solar cell. This approach is based on using simultaneously a solar simulator and a suitable supplemental lamp for illuminating the cell in a restricted wavelength range where the top subcell only responds. The technique is tested on beginning‐of‐life and irradiated 3‐junction InGaP/InGaAs/Ge solar cells, and its reliability is discussed.
Differences in inherited risk among relatives of hereditary prostate cancer patients using genetic risk score
Authors: Helfand Brian T. , Chen Haitao , Fantus Richard J. , Conran Carly A. , Brendler Charles B. , Zheng Siquan Lilly , Walsh Patrick C. , Isaacs William B. , Xu Jianfeng 
Published: June 2018

PurposeFamily history assigns equivalent risk to all relatives based upon the degree of relationship. Recent genetic studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that can be used to calculate a genetic risk score (GRS) to determine prostate cancer (PCa) risk. We sought to determine whether GRS can stratify PCa risk among individuals in families considered to be at higher risk due their family history of PCa.Materials and MethodsFamily members with hereditary PCa were recruited and genotyped for 17 SNPs associated with PCa. A GRS was calculated for all subjects. Analyses compared the distribution of GRS values among affected and unaffected family members of varying relationship degrees.ResultsData was available for 789 family members of probands including 552 affected and 237 unaffected relatives. Median GRSs were higher among first‐degree relatives compared to second‐ and third‐degree relatives. In addition, GRS values among affected first‐ and second‐degree relatives were significantly higher than unaffected relatives (P = 0.042 and P = 0.016, respectively). Multivariate analysis including GRS and degree of relationship demonstrated that GRS was a significant and independent predictor of PCa (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.15‐2.01).ConclusionGRS is an easy‐to‐interpret, objective measure that can be used to assess differences in PCa risk among family members of affected men. GRS allows for further differentiation among family members, providing better risk assessment. While prospective validation studies are required, this information can help guide relatives in regards to the time of initiation and frequency of PCa screening.