bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rhinoceros Auklet pair‐mates migrate independently but synchronize their foraging activity during the pre‐laying period
Authors: Kubo Aina , Takahashi Akinori , Thiebot Jean‐Baptiste , Watanuki Yutaka 
Published: February 2018

Pair bonds are considered important for successful breeding in monogamous birds but their maintenance may be challenging for migratory species, as mates can be separated for months during the non‐breeding period. To investigate whether mates of monogamous migratory seabirds stay together throughout the non‐breeding period and how and when they start synchronizing their activity before breeding, we tracked seven pairs and 22 individuals of Rhinoceros AukletsCerorhinca monoceratawith geolocators and saltwater immersion loggers. Mates migrated across similar areas during the non‐breeding period but with a sustained temporal shift, putting them an average of 377 km apart and resulting in an average difference of return date at the colony of 5.6 days, with no sex biases. These values did not differ significantly from those between ‘pairs’ of randomly selected, non‐mated birds. Mates showed synchronized on‐water/in‐air at‐sea activities once both birds returned and spent the first night together at the colony. The synchronization of activities was highest on the day following the nights when both mates visited the colony, and decreased with elapsed time. Mates then left the colony together for a pre‐laying exodus of 8–9 days and males returned 2–4 days earlier than females before incubation started. Mates kept synchronizing at‐sea activity during the early part of the exodus. We interpret this as the mates staying together at sea during the pre‐laying period, increasing the males’ chances of copulation at sea. The patterns of mate association observed in Rhinoceros Auklets contrast with those of the Procellariiformes, presumably reflecting differences in the place and timing of copulation.
A microRNA‐1 gene, tci‐miR‐1‐3p, is involved in cyflumetofen resistance by targeting a glutathione S‐transferase gene, TCGSTM4, in Tetranychus cinnabarinus
Authors: Zhang Y. , Feng K. , Hu J. , Shi L. , Wei P. , Xu Z. , Shen G. , Li M. , Xu Q. , He L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractmicroRNA‐1 (miR‐1) is a well‐studied conservative microRNA (miRNA) involved in immune responses in mammals and insects. However, little is known about its role in pesticide resistance in arthropods. In this study, we found that a microRNA belong to miR‐1 family (tci‐miR‐1‐3p) was significantly down‐regulated in a cyflumetofen‐resistant strain (CYR) of Tetranychus cinnabarinus compared with its homologous susceptible strain (SS), indicating an involvement of miR‐1 in cyflumetofen resistance in mites. One glutathione S‐transferase (GST) gene (TCGSTM4, a mu class GST gene), a candidate target gene of tci‐miR‐1‐3p, was found to be significantly down‐regulated when tci‐miR‐1‐3p was over‐expressed. The specific interaction between tci‐miR‐1‐3p and the target sequence in the 3′ untranslated region of TCGSTM4 was confirmed. A decrease or increase in tci‐miR‐1‐3p abundance through feeding miRNA inhibitors or mimics significantly increased or decreased TCGSTM4 expressions at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. In addition, an over‐expression of tci‐miR‐1‐3p resulted in a decrease in the tolerance of T. cinnabarinus to cyflumetofen in both SS and CYR strains, and vice versa. After decreasing TCGSTM4 transcription via RNA interference, T. cinnabarinus became more sensitive to cyflumetofen in both resistant and susceptible mites, and the change in mortality was greater in CYR than that in SS. Moreover, the recombinant TCGSTM4 could significantly decompose cyflumetofen, indicating that TCGSTM4 is a functional gene responsible for cyflumetofen resistance in mites.
Perpetual complexity: predicting human CD8+ T‐cell responses to pathogenic peptides
Authors: Di Carluccio Anthony R , Triffon Cristina F , Chen Weisan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe accurate prediction of human CD8+ T‐cell epitopes has great potential clinical and translational implications in the context of infection, cancer and autoimmunity. Prediction algorithms have traditionally focused on calculated peptide affinity for the binding groove of MHC‐I. However, over the years it has become increasingly clear that the ultimate T‐cell recognition of MHC‐I‐bound peptides is governed by many contributing factors within the complex antigen presentation pathway. Recent advances in next‐generation sequencing and immunnopeptidomics have increased the precision of HLA‐I sub‐allele classification, and have led to the discovery of peptide processing events and individual allele‐specific binding preferences. Here, we review some of the discoveries that initiated the development of peptide prediction algorithms, and outline some of the current available online tools for CD8+ T‐cell epitope prediction.
Human MAIT cells show metabolic quiescence with rapid glucose‐dependent upregulation of granzyme B upon stimulation
Authors: Zinser Madeleine E , Highton Andrew J , Kurioka Ayako , Kronsteiner Barbara , Hagel Joachim , Leng Tianqi , Marchi Emanuele , Phetsouphanh Chansavath , Willberg Chris B , Dunachie Susanna J , Klenerman Paul 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMucosal‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a well‐characterized innate‐like T cell population abundant in the human liver, peripheral tissues and blood. MAIT cells serve in the first line of defense against infections, through engagement of their T cell receptor, which recognizes microbial metabolites presented on MR1, and through cytokine‐mediated triggering. Typically, they show a quiescent memory phenotype but can undergo rapid upregulation of effector functions including cytolysis upon stimulation. T cells profoundly change their cellular metabolism during their maturation and activation. We sought to determine how MAIT cell metabolism may facilitate both the long‐term memory phase in tissue and the transition to rapid effector function. Here, we show, by flow cytometric metabolism assays and extracellular flux analysis that, despite an effector‐memory profile, human MAIT cells are metabolically quiescent in a resting state comparable to naïve and central memory T cells. Upon stimulation, they rapidly increase uptake of glucose and show a concomitant upregulation of the effector molecules notably granzyme B, which is impaired by inhibition of glycolysis with 2‐deoxyglucose. These findings suggest that MAIT cells share some metabolic characteristics of both resting and effector T cell subsets, with a rapid transition upon triggering. Metabolic programming of this cell type may be of interest in understanding and modulating their function in infectious diseases and cancer.
An activity theory study of data, knowledge, and power in the design of an international development NGO impact evaluation
Authors: Kelly Paul Richard 
Published: February 2018

AbstractInternational development is now a data‐, information‐, and knowledge‐intensive industry, which some have characterised as “development 2.0.” Power relations are rarely foregrounded in this landscape, even though they shape what data and knowledge is constructed or discarded. Impact evaluation is one example of this intensive work, yet evaluation models seldom make power relations explicit or actionable. Furthermore, implicit models of data and knowledge on which impact evaluation processes rely also neglect power and social practice. The resulting problem is that power remains silent in development impact evaluation practice. In response, this article articulates an alternative, using Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) to analyse impact evaluation activities conducted by a UK‐based philanthropic donor and their grantee in India, a small non‐government organisation (NGO) doing rural development work. The analysis uses CHAT to illustrate how impact data, knowledge, and power are simultaneously generated during professional evaluation activities. The study broadens our view of impact and offers two contributions. Firstly, for researchers in information and communications technology for development (ICT4D) and knowledge management for development (KM4D), it contributes the application of a perspective on social practice, CHAT, to development evaluation. A novel extension to CHAT, the concept of “temporal activity chains,” is put forward to complement the established activity system frame. Secondly, the article demonstrates a practice‐based view of development impact evaluation for researchers and practitioners who wish to acknowledge and respond to the generation of unequal power dynamics during evaluation processes.
Learning monotone preferences using a majority rule sorting model
Authors: Sobrie Olivier , Mousseau Vincent , Pirlot Marc 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe consider the problem of learning a function assigning objects into ordered categories. The objects are described by a vector of attribute values and the assignment function is monotone w.r.t. the attribute values (monotone sorting problem). Our approach is based on a model used in multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA), called MR‐Sort. This model determines the assigned class on the basis of a majority rule and an artificial object that is a typical lower profile of the category. MR‐Sort is a simplified variant of the ELECTRE TRI method. We describe an algorithm designed for learning such a model on the basis of assignment examples. We compare its performance with choquistic regression, a method recently proposed in the preference learning community, and with UTADIS, another MCDA method leaning on an additive value function (utility) model. Our experimentation shows that MR‐Sort competes with the other two methods, and leads to a model that is interpretable.
Outcomes for design and learning when teenagers with autism codesign a serious game: A pilot study
Authors: Bossavit B. , Parsons S. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractDigital educational games research tends to lack ecological validity by not adequately taking into account the views and perspectives of children and young people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This paper is a pilot study that explores and analyses an academic‐based educational game that was co‐designed with and for young people with ASD. The serious game aims to help the players learn Geography‐specific knowledge and integrates several strategic features so that users can collaborate together against the computer or compete against each other. The educational game was evaluated over 5 sessions by 3 peer teams from 2 different special educational institutions, involving a total of 6 students with ASD. The participants were positive about their enjoyment, motivation, and social engagement. The results showed that the players' level of competitiveness not only influenced the experience within the game but also the interaction within the peer teams. The game mechanisms did help the participants with ASD increase their knowledge in Geography content. The main conclusion is that there are considerable benefits of including children with ASD in the design process and future research should explore more fully on how their involvement can enhance curriculum‐based learning as well as social engagement within the classroom.
Cigarette smoking causes a worse long‐term outcome in persistent atrial fibrillation following catheter ablation
Authors: Cheng Wen‐Han , Lo Li‐Wei , Lin Yenn‐Jiang , Chang Shih‐Lin , Hu Yu‐Feng , Hung Yuan , Chung Fa‐Po , Chang Ting‐Yung , Huang Ting‐Chung , Yamada Shinya , Salim Simon , Te Abigail Louise D. , Liao Jo‐Nan , Tuan Ta‐Chuan , Chao Tze‐Fan , Tsai Tseng‐Ying , Liu Shin‐Huei , Chen Shih‐Ann 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroductionCigarette smoking contributes to the development of atrial fibrosis via nicotine. The impact of smoking on ablation results in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. We aimed to investigate the triggers and long‐term outcome between smokers and nonsmokers in the patients with persistent AF after catheter ablation.MethodsThis study included 201 (177 males, 53 ± 10 years old) patients who received index catheter ablation, including pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) ablation for persistent AF, retrospectively. Electrophysiological characteristics at the index procedure and long‐term outcome were investigated to determine the differences between smokers and nonsmokers.ResultsBaseline characteristics were similar between two groups. Pulmonary vein (PV) triggers were found in all patients in the two groups. There was a higher incidence of nonpulmonary vein (NPV) triggers in smokers than in nonsmokers (61% vs. 31%, P < 0.05). There were no differences of the long‐term ablation outcomes between smokers and nonsmokers in Kaplan–Meier analysis. Smokers with PV plus right atrial NPV (RA‐NPV) triggers had a higher incidence of recurrence (log‐rank P < 0.05) than those without RA‐NPV triggers, but not in nonsmokers, after a mean follow‐up of 31 ± 25 months.ConclusionsSmoking increases the incidence of NPV triggers in patients with persistent AF. Smokers who have RA‐NPV triggers during index procedure do have a worse outcome after catheter ablation, indicating the harmful effects of nicotine to right atrium.
Physiological status ofDrosophila suzukii(Diptera: Drosophilidae) affects their response to attractive odours
Authors: Wong J. S. , Wallingford A. K. , Loeb G. M. , Lee J. C. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAn improved understanding of the biology of the invasive pest,Drosophila suzukii(Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is critical for the development of effective management strategies. Trapping is one technique used for both detection and control; however, the efficacy of trapping can vary depending on the target insect's physiological state, its behavioural priorities and the type of attractant used in the trap. We conducted a series of caged trapping experiments and a greenhouse trapping experiment to investigate the effects ofD. suzukiifeeding status, age, mating status, ovipositional status and seasonal morph type on the capture rate of traps baited with fermentation odours. Starved flies were trapped at greater rates compared to fed flies; more virgin flies were trapped than mated flies; flies deprived of an oviposition substrate were trapped more frequently than flies given an oviposition substrate. It is still unclear whether age or seasonal morphology affect bait response. Lastly, a caged choice experiment investigated the relationship between female reproductive status and attraction to fermentation or fruit odours. Fermentation‐based traps captured female flies regardless of their reproductive status but, ripe fruit‐based traps were more attractive to flies with more than seven eggs. In summary, studies that use fermentation‐based traps should recognize that capture rates ofD. suzukiiwill depend on the feeding, mating and oviposition experiences of the population; also, fruit‐based traps may better target gravid females.
Construction and evaluation of type III secretion system mutants of the catfish pathogen Edwardsiella piscicida
Authors: Edrees A , Abdelhamed H , Nho S W , Park S B , Karsi A , Austin F W , Essa M , Pechan T , Lawrence M L 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCatfish is the largest aquaculture industry in the United States. Edwardsiellosis is considered one of the most significant problems affecting this industry. Edwardsiella piscicida is a newly described species within the genus Edwardsiella, and it was previously classified as Edwardsiella tarda. It causes gastrointestinal septicaemia, primarily in summer months, in farmed channel catfish in the south‐eastern United States. In the current study, we adapted gene deletion methods used for Edwardsiella to E. piscicida strain C07‐087, which was isolated from a disease outbreak in a catfish production pond. Four genes encoding structural proteins in the type III secretion system (T3SS) apparatus of E. piscicida were deleted by homologous recombination and allelic exchange to produce in‐frame deletion mutants (EpΔssaV, EpΔesaM, EpΔyscR and EpΔescT). The mutants were phenotypically characterized, and virulence and vaccine efficacy were evaluated. Three of the mutants, EpΔssaV, EpΔyscR and EpΔesaM, were significantly attenuated compared to the parent strain (p < .05), but EpΔescT strain was not. Vaccination of catfish with the four mutant strains (EpΔssaV, EpΔesaM, EpΔyscR and EpΔescT) provided significant protection when subsequently challenged with wild‐type strain. In conclusion, we report methods for gene deletion in E. piscicida and development of vaccine candidates derived from a virulent catfish isolate.
Sub‐epithelial connective tissue graft for the management of Miller's class I and class II isolated gingival recession defect: A systematic review of the factors influencing the outcome
Authors: Yadav Anisha P. , Kulloli Anita , Shetty Sharath , Ligade Shruti S. , Martande Santosh S. , Gholkar Meenakshi J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe aim of the present systematic review was to analyze the factors that affect the outcome of subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) for managing Miller's class I and class II isolated gingival recession defect. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) guidelines for systematic reviews were used. Quality assessments of selected articles were performed. Data on root surface condition, recession type defect, flap thickness, different flap designs, different harvesting techniques, presence/absence of the epithelial collar, graft thickness, flap tension, suturing techniques, and smoking‐related outcomes on root coverage were assessed. The SCTG procedure provides the best root coverage outcomes for Miller's class I and class II recession. The critical threshold of flap thickness was found to be 1 mm. Maximum root coverage was achieved by envelope and modified tunnel technique. SCTG with the epithelial collar does not provide additional gains than SCTG without the epithelial collar. The thickness of SCTG for root coverage was found to be 1.5‐2 mm. Greater flap tension and smoking adversely affect root coverage outcomes. Analysis of the factors discussed would be of key importance for technique selection, and a combined approach involving factors favoring outcomes of SCTG could be of clinical relevance in recession coverage.
Early CALP2 expression and microglial activation are potential inducers of spinal IL‐6 up‐regulation and bilateral pain following motor nerve injury
Authors: Chen Shao‐Xia , Wang Shao‐Kun , Yao Pei‐Wen , Liao Guang‐Jie , Na Xiao‐Dong , Li Yong‐Yong , Zeng Wei‐an , Liu Xian‐Guo , Zang Ying 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPrevious work from our laboratory showed that motor nerve injury by lumbar 5 ventral root transection (L5‐VRT) led to interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) over‐expression in bilateral spinal cord, and that intrathecal administration of IL‐6 neutralizing antibody delayed the induction of mechanical allodynia in bilateral hind paws. However, early events and upstream mechanisms underlying spinal IL‐6 expression following L5‐VRT require elucidation. The model of L5‐VRT was used to induce neuropathic pain, which was assessed with von Frey hairs and the plantar tester in adult male Sprague–Dawley rats. Calpain‐2 (CALP2, a calcium‐dependent protease) knockdown or over‐expression and microglia depletion were conducted intrathecally. Western blots and immunohistochemistry were performed to explore the possible mechanisms. Here, we provide the first evidence that both IL‐6 and CALP2 levels are increased in lumbar spinal cord within 30 min following L5‐VRT. IL‐6 and CALP2 co‐localized in both spinal dorsal horn (SDH) and spinal ventral horn. Post‐operative (PO) increase in CALP2 in ipsilateral SDH was evident at 10 min PO, preceding increased IL‐6 at 20 min PO. Knockdown of spinal CALP2 by intrathecal CALP2‐shRNA administration prevented VRT‐induced IL‐6 overproduction in ipsilateral spinal cord and alleviated bilateral mechanical allodynia. Spinal microglia activation also played a role in early IL‐6 up‐regulation. Macrophage/microglia markers ED1/Iba1 were increased at 30 min PO, while glial fibrillary acidic protein (astrocyte) and CNPase (oligodendrocyte) markers were not. Increased Iba1 was detected as early as 20 min PO and peaked at 3 days. Morphology changed from a small soma with fine processes in resting cells to an activated ameboid shape. Depletion of microglia using Mac‐1‐saporin partially prevented IL‐6 up‐regulation and attenuated VRT‐induced bilateral mechanical allodynia. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that increased spinal cord CALP2 and microglia cell activation may have early causative roles in IL‐6 over‐expression following motor nerve injury. Agents that inhibit CALP2 and/or microglia activation may therefore prove valuable for treating neuropathic pain.
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Perinatal high fat diet and early life methyl donor supplementation alter one carbon metabolism and DNA methylation in the brain
Authors: McKee Sarah E. , Zhang Sisi , Chen Li , Rabinowitz Joshua D. , Reyes Teresa M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOne carbon metabolism is regulated by the availability of nutrients known as methyl donors, and disruption of this pathway can affect multiple physiological systems. DNA methylation, critical for the regulation of gene expression, is linked to one carbon metabolism, and can be altered by perinatal diet. In this study, dams (n = 12/group) were fed HF or standard control (SC) diet through pregnancy and lactation, and male and female offspring were then fed either SC or methyl donor‐supplemented diet (MDS) between 3 and 6 weeks of age (n = 20–26/group). Concentration of one carbon intermediates and other related metabolites were assessed within brain tissue (prefrontal cortex, PFC) through the use of mass spectrometry at 6 weeks of age. In addition, the expression of target genes and enzymes that participate in DNA methylation or are relevant to one carbon metabolism were measured. We found that MDS increases the concentration of folate intermediates in the PFC, and that this increase is blunted in male offspring from dams fed a HF diet. In addition, perinatal HF diet increased the concentration of cysteine in the PFC of both male and female offspring, consistent with oxidative stress. Furthermore, both maternal HF diet and postnatal MDS altered global DNA methylation in the PFC in males but not females. Collectively, these data demonstrate sex differences in changes in one carbon metabolites in the prefrontal cortex in response to early life high fat diet and methyl donor supplementation.
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