bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards understanding biology of leydiogioma. G protein-coupled receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor crosstalk regulates lipid metabolism and steroidogenesis in Leydig cell tumors
Authors: Kotula-Balak Malgorzata , Gorowska-Wojtowicz Ewelina , Milon Agnieszka , Pawlicki Piotr , Kaminska Alicja , Pardyak Laura , Tworzydlo Waclaw , Płachno Bartosz J. , Hejmej Anna , Wolski Jan K. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractLeydig cell tumors (LCT) are the most common type of testicular sex cord-stromal tumor. In this report, we implicate the G-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) and peroxisome proliferator receptor (PPAR) in regulation of lipid homeostasis and the expression of steroidogenesis-controlling molecules in clinical specimens of LCTs and cell line (mouse tumor Leydig cells; MA-10). We also show the general structure and morphology of human LCTs with the use of scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, respectively. In LCTs, protein immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased expression of GPER and decreased expression of PPARα, β and γ. Concomitantly, changes in expression pattern of the lutropin receptor (LHR), protein kinase A (PKA), perilipin (PLIN), hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), translocator protein (TSPO), HMG-CoA synthase (HMGCA), and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) were observed.Using MA-10 cells treated with GPER and PPAR antagonists (alone and in combination), we demonstrated there is a GPER-PPAR mediated control of cholesterol concentration. In addition, GPER-PPARα regulated estradiol secretion, while GPER-PPARγ affected cGMP concentration. It is assumed that GPER and PPAR can be altered in LCT, resulting in a perturbed lipid balance and steroidogenesis. In LCTs, the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway was disturbed. Thus, PI3K-Akt-mTOR, together with cGMP, can play a role in LCT proliferation, growth, and metastasis as well as lipid balance control.In conclusion, we discuss the implications of GPER-PPAR interaction with lipid metabolism and steroidogenesis controlling-molecules in LCT biology that can be used in future studies as potential targets of diagnostic and therapeutic implementations.
Integrating vital rates explains optimal worker size for resource return by bumblebee workers
Authors: Kerr Natalie Z. , Crone Elizabeth E. , Williams Neal M. 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Size‐number trade‐offs in reproduction are commonly observed in nature. Bumblebee (Bombus spp.) colonies produce workers that vary considerably in size. This variation suggests that colonies face potential size‐number trade‐offs when producing workers.

Here, we estimated size‐based vital rates of Bombus vosnesenskii workers using colonies reared from wild‐caught queens. We conducted a mark–recapture study to estimate worker survival as a function of body size. We also collected data on pollen and nectar loads as well as foraging trips using a radiofrequency identification system to estimate daily resource return as a function of body size. We integrated survival and daily resource return to estimate lifetime resource collection and offset these estimates by the size‐based worker production costs.

We found size‐based trade‐offs among workers of different sizes. Smaller workers had higher survival, but larger workers returned with more resources per day. The largest workers made slightly fewer foraging trips per day.

Overall, larger workers made the greatest lifetime contribution to both nectar and pollen collection. However, once the benefits of larger workers are offset by their higher production costs, intermediate‐sized workers were the optimal for net resource contribution according to our models. Many previous studies have found that larger workers outperformed smaller workers with foraging and in‐nest tasks, yet these studies have not integrated multiple fitness components or worker production costs to quantify net resource contribution towards colony growth.

Accounting for trade‐offs between costs and performance changed our conclusions about optimal body size from being large to being near the observed average. Similar approaches of integrating multiple vital rates may resolve apparently suboptimal life histories in other taxa.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
The relative strengths of rapid and delayed density dependence acting on a terrestrial herbivore change along a pollution gradient
Authors: Hunter Mark D. , Kozlov Mikhail V. 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Animal populations vary in response to a combination of density‐dependent and density‐independent forces, which interact to drive their population dynamics. Understanding how abiotic forces mediate the form and strength of density‐dependent processes remains a central goal of ecology, and is of increasing urgency in a rapidly changing world.

Here, we report for the first time that industrial pollution determines the relative strength of rapid and delayed density dependence operating on an animal population. We explored the impacts of pollution and climate on the population dynamics of an eruptive leafmining moth, Phyllonorycter strigulatella, around a coal‐fired power plant near Apatity, north‐western Russia. Populations were monitored at 14 sites over 26 years.

The relative strengths of rapid and delayed density dependence varied with distance from the power plant. Specifically, the strength of rapid density dependence increased while the strength of delayed density dependence decreased with increasing distance from the pollution source. Paralleling the increasing strength of rapid density dependence, we observed declines in the densities of P. strigulatella, increases in predation pressure from birds and ants, and declines in an unknown source of mortality (perhaps plant antibiosis) with increasing distance from the power plant.

In contrast to the associations with pollution, associations between climate change and leafminer population densities were negligible.

Our results may help to explain the outbreaks of insect herbivores that are frequently observed in polluted environments. We show that they can result from the weakening of rapid (stabilizing) density dependence relative to the effects of destabilizing delayed density dependence. Moreover, our results may explain some of the variation reported in published studies of animal populations in polluted habitats. Variable results may emerge in part because of the location of the study sites on different parts of pollution gradients. Finally, in a rapidly changing world, effects of anthropogenic pollution may be as, or more, important than are effects of climate change on the future dynamics of animal populations.
Association of intrauterine exposure to aspirin and blood pressure at 7 years of age: a secondary analysis
Authors: Chen Y , Zhao D , Wang B , Zhu J , Zhang J , Zhang Y 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveTo examine whether maternal aspirin use during pregnancy is associated with childhood blood pressure.Design/SettingA secondary analysis of the Collaborative Perinatal Project, a prospective cohort study including 12 US academic medical centres between 1959 and 1976.PopulationSingleton births among women with detailed medication information.MethodsWe carried out linear and multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess the associations between maternal aspirin exposure and childhood blood pressure at age 7 years.Main outcome measuresOffspring blood pressure at age 7 years.ResultsA total of 15 793 women were exposed to aspirin 4 weeks before the last menstrual period or during pregnancy. In utero aspirin exposure may be associated with an 11% (95% CI 0.85– 0.93) and a 20% (95% CI 0.76–0.84) reduced risk of having high systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at 7 years of age, and a mean decrease of 0.62 mmHg for SBP and 1.04 mmHg for DBP at 7 years of age. Compared with children born to mothers without aspirin exposure, those whose mothers were exposed to aspirin for at least 7 days during pregnancy had approximately 10% and 27% reduced risk of high SBP and DBP, respectively, and a mean reduction of 0.61 and 1.27 mmHg in SBP and DBP at 7 years of age. The earlier the aspirin exposure occurred during pregnancy, the lower the risk of childhood high blood pressure.ConclusionIn utero exposure to aspirin may have long‐term benefits for childhood blood pressure.Tweetable abstractMaternal aspirin exposure might decrease the risk of childhood blood pressure.
The Sydney Triage to Admission Risk Tool (START2) using machine learning techniques to support disposition decision‐making
Authors: Rendell Kathryn , Koprinska Irena , Kyme Andre , Ebker‐White Anja A , Dinh Michael M 
Published: November 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo further develop and refine an Emergency Department (ED) in‐patient admission prediction model using machine learning techniques.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of state‐wide ED data from New South Wales, Australia. Six classification algorithms (Bayesian networks, decision trees, logistic regression, naïve Bayes, neural networks and nearest neighbour) and five feature selection techniques (none, manual, correlation‐based, information gain and wrapper) were examined. Presenting problem was categorised using broad (n = 20) and specific (n = 100) representations. Models were evaluated based on Area Under the Curve (AUC) and accuracy. The results were compared with the Sydney Triage to Admission Risk Tool (START), which uses logistic regression and six manually selected features.ResultsSixty admission prediction models were trained and validated using data from 1 721 294 patients. Under the broad representation of presenting problem, the nearest neighbour algorithm with manual feature selection had the best AUC of 0.8206 (95% CI ±0.0006), while the decision tree with no feature selection had the best accuracy of 74.83% (95% CI ±0.065). Under the specific representation, almost all models improved; the nearest neighbour with information gain feature selection had the best AUC of 0.8267 (95% CI ±0.0006), while the decision tree with wrapper or no feature selection had the best accuracy of 75.24% (95% CI ±0.064). Eleven of the machine learning models had slightly better AUC than the START model.ConclusionMachine learning methods demonstrate similar performance to logistic regression for ED disposition prediction models using basic triage information. This should be investigated further, especially for larger data sets with more complex clinical information.
Sublimating an Apocalypse: An Exploration of Anxiety, Authorship, and Feminist Theory in Mary Shelley’s The Last Man
Authors: Zolciak Olivia 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMary Shelley was an early feminist writer, but she has not been recognized as such because of profound misinterpretation of her final novel, The Last Man. Set in the years 2090–2100, the novel is about a plague that obliterates humanity aside from the protagonist, Lionel Verney. As his family and friends perish, Verney journeys alone, and begins to experience psychological and literary anxiety. The novel failed within the conventions of female romance novels of the early 19th century, a category in which it is still often pigeon‐holed. But as the first modern work of apocalyptic fiction, which created a genre now dominated by Stephen King, it was a huge success, for which Mary Shelley is seldom credited. By critically analyzing the novel’s treatment of anxiety of illness and authorship in terms of psychoanalytic theory and juxtaposing these concepts with a long‐standing feminist approach, this article suggests that Mary Shelley’s literary innovations will remain influential in the continuously growing genre of post‐apocalyptic literature in the 20th and 21st centuries. Thematically, the novel also presents a new feminist vision of history, a millennial conflict that requires us to look forward and backward simultaneously. It is also about new ways of recognizing the authority of the female voice in that history, which is normally displaced by the insistence on male authority that comes from historical lineage. The Last Man contests that lineage by showing how apocalyptic narratives can reframe our sense of time and authority.
Reduced lateral orbitofrontal cortex volume and suicide behavior in youth with bipolar disorder
Authors: Huber Rebekah S , Subramaniam Punitha , Kondo Douglas G , Shi Xianfeng , Renshaw Perry F , Yurgelun‐Todd Deborah A 
Published: November 2018

ObjectivesStructural abnormalities in cortical and subcortical regions, including the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), are altered during brain development in adolescents with bipolar disorder (BD), which may increase risk for suicide. Few studies have examined the neural substrates of suicidal behavior in BD youth. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between suicide behavior and the OFC in youth with BD.MethodsThirty‐seven participants with BD and 26 non‐psychiatric controls, ages 13‐21 years, completed a diagnostic interview and mood rating scales. Lifetime symptoms of suicide ideation and behavior were examined using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging on a 3T Siemens Verio scanner. Morphometric analysis of brain images was performed using FreeSurfer.ResultsEighteen participants with BD had a history of suicide attempt (SA). Bipolar youth with a history of SA showed reduced left lateral OFC volumes compared to controls, but there was no difference between BD attempters and non‐attempters. Controls and BD non‐attempters had significantly greater OFC cortical thickness than BD attempters. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between OFC volumes and suicide lethality, demonstrating that as suicide lethality increased, OFC volume in BD youth was reduced.ConclusionsThe OFC is involved in decision‐making, impulsivity, and reward circuitry which have shown to be impaired in BD. Reduced OFC volume and its association with lethality of suicide suggest that suicide behavior in BD may be related to the emerging neuroanatomical substrates of the disorder, particularly abnormalities of the OFC.
Amyloid precursor protein‐mediated mitochondrial regulation and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Lopez Sanchez M Isabel G , van Wijngaarden Peter , Trounce Ian A 
Published: November 2018

Despite clear evidence of a neuroprotective physiological role of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its non‐amyloidogenic processing products, APP has been investigated mainly in animal and cellular models of amyloid pathology in the context of Alzheimer's disease. The rare familial mutations in APP and presenilin‐1/2, which sometimes drive increased amyloid β (Aβ) production, may have unduly influenced Alzheimer's disease research. APP and its cleavage products play important roles in cellular and mitochondrial metabolism, but many studies focus solely on Aβ. Mitochondrial bioenergetic metabolism is essential for neuronal function, maintenance and survival, and multiple reports indicate mitochondrial abnormalities in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we focus on mitochondrial abnormalities reported in sporadic Alzheimer's disease patients and the role of full‐length APP and its non‐amyloidogenic fragments, particularly soluble APPα, on mitochondrial bioenergetic metabolism. We do not review the plethora of animal and in vitro studies using mutant APP/presenilin constructs or experiments using exogenous Aβ. In doing so, we aim to invigorate research and discussion around non‐amyloidogenic APP processing products and the mechanisms linking mitochondria and complex neurodegenerative disorders such as sporadic Alzheimer's disease.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Therapeutics for Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: New Directions for Precision Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.18/issuetoc
Perspectives on shared reading among a sample of Latino parents
Authors: Jimenez Manuel E. , Hudson Shawna V. , Lima Daniel , Mendelsohn Alan L. , Pellerano Maria , Crabtree Benjamin F. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundPaediatric professionals promote shared reading to facilitate school readiness, yet relatively few studies examine how parents from underserved communities consider this issue in their daily lives. We sought to understand shared reading within the broader context of parenting among Latino parents.MethodsWe conducted in‐depth interviews, purposively sampling Spanish‐speaking, Latina mothers of children aged ≤3 years from an urban Federally Qualified Health Center. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed iteratively. We allowed themes to emerge from data rather than impose an a priori framework. We sought disconfirming evidence within interviews and collected additional data to ensure no new themes were identified (saturation).ResultsWe achieved saturation after 12 interviews. The median child age was 1.4 years. We identified four major themes: (a) All participants reported engaging in literacy promoting activities such as conversations, storytelling, play, and singing even if they did not read to their children daily. (b) Parents' attitudes regarding early learning and development influenced the extent to which parents engaged in shared reading with their child. (c) Participants described feelings that they ought to read daily with their children but were not and cited a variety of barriers. (d) Parents who engaged in frequent shared reading described it as a joyful and relaxed experience; parents who did not engage in shared reading described reading as instructing children or engaging in drills (e.g., teaching letters).ConclusionUrban, Latina mothers who did not read regularly with their children nonetheless recognized its importance suggesting that existing programmes have raised awareness even among underserved families. Refinement of messaging may be needed to move past raising awareness to facilitating shared reading for some parents.
Identifying key needs for the integration of social–ecological outcomes in arctic wildlife monitoring
Authors: Wheeler Helen C. , Berteaux Dominique , Furgal Chris , Cazelles Kevin , Yoccoz Nigel G. , Grémillet David 
Published: November 2018

AbstractFor effective monitoring in social–ecological systems to meet needs for biodiversity, science, and humans, desired outcomes must be clearly defined and routes from direct to derived outcomes understood. The Arctic is undergoing rapid climatic, ecological, social, and economic changes and requires effective wildlife monitoring to meet diverse stakeholder needs. To identify stakeholder priorities concerning desired outcomes of arctic wildlife monitoring, we conducted in‐depth interviews with 29 arctic scientists, policy and decision makers, and representatives of indigenous organizations and nongovernmental organizations. Using qualitative content analysis, we identified and defined desired outcomes and documented links between outcomes. Using network analysis, we investigated the structure of perceived links between desired outcomes. We identified 18 desired outcomes from monitoring and classified them as either driven by monitoring information, monitoring process, or a combination of both. Highly cited outcomes were make decisions, conserve, detect change, disseminate, and secure food. These reflect key foci of arctic monitoring. Infrequently cited outcomes (e.g., govern) were emerging themes. Three modules comprised our outcome network. The modularity highlighted the low strength of perceived links between outcomes that were primarily information driven or more derived (e.g., detect change, make decisions, conserve, or secure food) and outcomes that were primarily process driven or more derived (e.g., cooperate, learn, educate). The outcomes expand monitoring community and disseminate created connections between these modules. Key desired outcomes are widely applicable to social–ecological systems within and outside the Arctic, particularly those with wildlife subsistence economies. Attributes and motivations associated with outcomes can guide development of integrated monitoring goals for biodiversity conservation and human needs. Our results demonstrated the disconnect between information‐ and process‐driven goals and how expansion of the monitoring community and improved integration of monitoring stakeholders will help connect information‐ and process‐derived outcomes for effective ecosystem stewardship.
Decoding Gestural Iconicity
Authors: Hassemer Julius , Winter Bodo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSpeakers frequently perform representational gestures to depict concepts in an iconic fashion. For example, a speaker may hold her index finger and thumb apart to indicate the size of a matchstick. However, the process by which a physical handshape is mentally transformed into abstract spatial information is not well understood. We present a series of experiments that investigate how people decode the physical form of an articulator to derive imaginary geometrical constructs, which we call “gesture form.” We provide quantitative evidence for several key properties that play a role in this process. First, “profiling,” the ability to focus on a structural subunit within the complex form of the physical hand. Second, “perspective,” for which we show that one and the same handshape seen from different perspectives can lead to different spatial interpretations. Third, “selectivity,” the fact that gestures focus on specific spatial features at the expense of others. Our results provide a first step toward mapping out the process of how representational gestures make the communication of spatial information possible.
Offline consolidation supersedes prior knowledge benefits in children's (but not adults’) word learning
Authors: James Emma , Gaskell M. Gareth , Henderson Lisa M. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPrior linguistic knowledge is proposed to support the acquisition and consolidation of new words. Adults typically have larger vocabularies to support word learning than children, but the developing brain shows enhanced neural processes that are associated with offline memory consolidation. This study investigated contributions of prior knowledge to initial word acquisition and consolidation at different points in development, by teaching children and adults novel words (e.g., ballow) that varied in the number of English word‐form “neighbours” (e.g., wallow, bellow). Memory for the novel word‐forms was tested immediately after training, the next day and 1 week later, to assess the time‐course of prior knowledge contributions. Children aged 7–9 years (Experiments 1, 3) and adults (Experiment 2) recalled words with neighbours better than words without neighbours when tested immediately after training. However, a period of offline consolidation improved overall recall and reduced the influence of word‐form neighbours on longer term memory. These offline consolidation benefits were larger in children than adults, supporting theories that children have a greater propensity for consolidating phonologically distinctive language information. Local knowledge of just a single word‐form neighbour was enough to enhance learning, and this led to the individual differences in word recall that were related to adults’ global vocabulary ability. The results support the proposal that the relative contributions of different learning mechanisms change across the lifespan, and highlight the importance of testing theoretical models of word learning in the context of development.