bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biocontrol of strawberry fruit infected by Botrytis cinerea: Effects on the microbial communities on fruit assessed by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Cruz Andre Freire , Barka Geleta Dugassa , Sylla Justine , Reineke Annette 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFruit grey mould, caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, is known to be a harmful disease of strawberry at postharvest stage. However, effects of an application of biological control agents (BCAs) on strawberry fruit in terms of shift in the microbial community are still unknown. The present research aimed to investigate the effects of an application of BCAs on postharvest microbial populations present on strawberry fruits. Strawberry plants were sprayed with three kinds of BCA, RhizoVital 42 fl. (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42), Trianum‐P (Trichoderma harzianum T22) and Naturalis (Beauveria bassiana ATCC 74040), targeting Botrytis cinerea fungus. Control plots were composed of water and fungicide treatments. Microbial communities (bacteria and fungi) were analysed via next‐generation sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq. Analysis of 16S RNA and ITS rRNA sequences indicated that the BCAs application modified both bacterial and fungal community compositions and diversity. An application of two BCAs together had more effects on microbial community composition than a single application. These results suggest that BCAs can modify bacterial and fungal community composition and diversity on strawberry fruits, which may consequently improve the efficiency and establishment of these products on control of postharvest diseases of fruits, such as grey mould.
Sunbirds serve as major pollinators for various populations of Firmiana kwangsiensis, a tree endemic to South China
Authors: Huang Zhi‐Huan , Luo Wen‐Hua , Huang Shi‐Xun , Huang Shuang‐Quan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractLoss of local, effective pollinators may potentially limit plant reproductive success but the plant–pollinator interactions could be rescued if the plant does not reject other pollen vectors. Firmiana kwangsiensis H.H. Hsue (Malvaceae) is an endangered tree endemic to limestone areas in South China. Although its preservation status is listed as “critically endangered”, its reproductive ecology is little known. We compared floral visitors in three wild populations and one transplanted population. Such a comparison allows us to see whether the pollinator assemblage varies geographically and to examine the plasticity of plant–pollinator interactions, informing sustainable ex situ conservation. Our pollination experiments indicated that fruit/seed set in F. kwangsiensis largely depended on pollinator visits, and was greatly reduced under hand self‐pollination or exclusion of bird visits. Floral visitors included sunbirds, butterflies, and bees (honeybee and wasp) but their visitation frequency varied in the four populations. The sunbird Nectarinia jugularis was the major pollinator in the three wild populations, but was replaced by the other sunbird Aethopyga christinae in the ex situ population. This tree is showy, with orange‐red flowers blooming before the leaves emerge. The calyx tube accumulates a large volume of dilute nectar (sugar concentration was 9.5%) in the morning, rewarding sunbird pollinators. Our investigations indicated that sunbirds rather than insects served as a functional group of pollinators for this endangered species. Successful ex situ conservation of this type of plant needs to consider the availability of potential pollinators.
The Roman Catholic Charismatic Movement and Civic Engagement in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Dowd Robert , Sarkissian Ani 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is a movement within the Roman Catholic Church that has grown dramatically in many parts of the world over the past three decades, including Sub‐Saharan Africa. Since it stresses divine intervention (e.g., miracles and healing), some observers suspect that the CCR deemphasizes the importance of human initiative and depresses civic engagement. In this article, we report the results of an original mass survey and in‐depth interviews conducted in Nigeria and Kenya that suggest that the CCR does not necessarily depress civic engagement and that, depending on the types of individuals involved, the movement may encourage certain types of civic engagement. While we found little evidence that mere membership in the CCR was affecting civic engagement, we did find that the time commitment involved in being an active part of the CCR did negatively affect civic engagement, especially in Kenya. However, we also found evidence that involvement in the CCR was having a positive effect on civic engagement among women in Kenya. The results indicate that the CCR is not a religious movement that is inherently quietist, always and everywhere discouraging participation in public life, and that context matters.
Quantification of serum markers of hepatitis B (HBV) and Delta virus (HDV) infections in patients with chronic HDV infection
Authors: Ricco G. , Popa D. C. , Cavallone D. , Iacob S. , Salvati A. , Tabacelia D. , Oliveri F. , Mascolo G. , Bonino F. , Yuan Q. , Xia N.‐S. , Gheorghe L. , Brunetto M. R. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe interplay between hepatitis B (HBV) and delta (HDV) viruses is complex and not always characterized during chronic HDV infection. We assessed the clinical usefulness of new quantitative assays for HBV and HDV serum markers in a retrospective cross‐sectional study. Sera obtained from 122 HDV genotype 1 and HBV genotype D coinfected, anti‐HIV‐negative patients (71 males; median age 49.8 [21.7‐66.9] years), recruited consecutively in two geographical areas (Italy 69 patients, Romania 53 patients) with different HBV and HDV epidemiology, were tested for HBsAg, HBV‐DNA, HBcrAg, total anti‐HBc, HDV‐RNA, IgM and total anti‐HDV using quantitative assays. Cirrhosis, which showed comparable prevalence in the two cohorts, was diagnosed in 97 of 122 (79.5%) patients. At multivariate analysis, cirrhosis was associated with lower total anti‐HBc/IgM anti‐HDV ratio (OR 0.990, 95% CI 0.981‐0.999, P = .038), whereas disease activity was associated with higher total anti‐HDV (OR 10.105, 95% CI 1.671‐61.107, P = .012) and HDV‐RNA levels (OR 2.366, 95% CI 1.456‐3.844, P = .001). HDV‐RNA serum levels showed a positive correlation with HBV‐DNA (ρ = 0.276, P = .005), HBsAg (ρ = 0.404, P < .001) and HBcrAg (ρ = 0.332, P < .001). The combined quantitative profiling of HBV and HDV serum markers identifies specific patterns associated with activity and stage of chronic hepatitis D (CHD). HDV pathogenicity depends on the underlying active HBV infection in spite of the inhibition of its replication. HDV‐RNA, IgM anti‐HDV, total anti‐HDV, total anti‐HBc, HBsAg and HBcrAg serum levels qualify for prospective studies to predict progressive CHD and identify candidates to antiviral therapy.
Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of intravenous famotidine in adult cattle
Authors: Balcomb Christie C. , Heller Meera C. , Chigerwe Munashe , Knych Heather K. , Meyer Allison M. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundAbomasal ulceration is recognized in neonatal and adult cattle, but research regarding treatment is limited. Histamine‐2 receptor antagonists (H2RA), such as famotidine, are used clinically with little evidence‐based research about efficacy in adult cattle.Hypothesis and ObjectivesIntravenous famotidine administered at 0.4 mg/kg will increase the pH of abomasal outflow digesta compared to saline control in adult cattle. The objectives were to assess the effect of famotidine, administered as a single dose and as multiple doses, on abomasal outflow fluid pH in adult cattle. A third objective was to describe the pharmacokinetic parameters of IV famotidine in cattle.AnimalsFour clinically healthy adult Angus‐cross steers previously fitted with duodenal cannulae placed orad to the biliary and pancreatic ducts.MethodsRandomized, 2‐way cross‐over clinical trial. Steers received IV famotidine (0.4 mg/kg) as a single and 3‐dose regimen (every 8 hours) versus saline control. Blood for analysis of serum famotidine concentration was collected intermittently for 12 hours, and abomasal outflow fluid pH was measured at intervals for a 24‐hour period. After a 34‐hour washout period, the opposite treatments were administered and the sampling repeated.ResultsAbomasal outflow fluid pH was higher in steers treated with famotidine for up to 4 hours after a single dose but the effect decreased with subsequent doses. The median (range) elimination half‐life was 3.33 (3.21‐3.54) hours.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceFamotidine may be useful for treatment or prevention of abomasal ulceration in adult cattle, but the duration of effect may decrease with time.
Computed tomographic appearance of abdominal lymph nodes in healthy cats
Authors: Perlini Michael , Bugbee Andrew , Secrest Scott 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundComputed tomography (CT) is commonly used in veterinary medicine and plays an important role in disease identification and cancer staging. Identification of abnormal abdominal lymph nodes is important for clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic decision making. No published study describes the CT appearance of abdominal lymph nodes in healthy cats.Hypothesis/ObjectivesAll abdominal lymph centers will be identified on CT with the majority of lymph nodes being elongated and homogenously contrast enhancing.AnimalsSixteen healthy cats without clinical or biochemical evidence of disease.MethodsPrecontrast and postcontrast CT images of sedated healthy cats were used to identify the presence and descriptive characteristics of intra‐abdominal lymph nodes. These assessments then were compared with patient characteristics to identify possible correlations.ResultsAbdominal lymph nodes were readily identified on CT with caudal mesenteric, colic, hepatic, inguinal, and pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes identified in 16/16 cats. Lymph node size and shape varied among lymph centers with nearly all lymph nodes homogeneously contrast enhancing in 515/525. Significant negative correlations were identified between age and length (P = .0166) and width (P = .0387) of abdominal lymph nodes as well as age and number of sacral lymph nodes (P = .0493). Intranodal fat was present in 18/525 lymph nodes.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceCT readily permitted identification and characterization of feline abdominal lymph nodes. This study provides subjective and objective data on the CT characteristics of abdominal lymph nodes in 16 healthy cats, with younger cats having larger abdominal lymph nodes and a higher number of sacral lymph nodes.
Prognostic value of echocardiographic indices of left atrial morphology and function in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease
Authors: Baron Toaldo Marco , Romito Giovanni , Guglielmini Carlo , Diana Alessia , Pelle Nazzareno G. , Contiero Barbara , Cipone Mario 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundThe prognostic relevance of left atrial (LA) morphological and functional variables, including those derived from speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), has been little investigated in veterinary medicine.ObjectivesTo assess the prognostic value of several echocardiographic variables, with a focus on LA morphological and functional variables in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).AnimalsOne‐hundred and fifteen dogs of different breeds with MMVD.MethodsProspective cohort study. Conventional morphologic and echo‐Doppler variables, LA areas and volumes, and STE‐based LA strain analysis were performed in all dogs. A survival analysis was performed to test for the best echocardiographic predictors of cardiac‐related death.ResultsMost of the tested variables, including all LA STE‐derived variables were univariate predictors of cardiac death in Cox proportional hazard analysis. Because of strong correlation between many variables, only left atrium to aorta ratio (LA/Ao > 1.7), mitral valve E wave velocity (MV E vel > 1.3 m/s), LA maximal volume (LAVmax > 3.53 mL/kg), peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS < 30%), and contraction strain index (CSI per 1% increase) were entered in the univariate analysis, and all were predictors of cardiac death. However, only the MV E vel (hazard ratio [HR], 4.45; confidence interval [CI], 1.76‐11.24; P < .001) and LAVmax (HR, 2.32; CI, 1.10‐4.89; P = .024) remained statistically significant in the multivariable analysis.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe assessment of LA dimension and function provides useful prognostic information in dogs with MMVD. Considering all the LA variables, LAVmax appears the strongest predictor of cardiac death, being superior to LA/Ao and STE‐derived variables.
Metabolic perturbations in Welsh Ponies with insulin dysregulation, obesity, and laminitis
Authors: Jacob Sarah I. , Murray Kevin J. , Rendahl Aaron K. , Geor Raymond J. , Schultz Nichol E. , McCue Molly E. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundMetabolomics, the study of small‐molecule metabolites, has increased understanding of human metabolic diseases, but has not been used to study equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).Objectives(1) To examine the serum metabolome of Welsh Ponies with and without insulin dysregulation before and during an oral sugar test (OST). (2) To identify differences in metabolites in ponies with insulin dysregulation, obesity, or history of laminitis.AnimalsTwenty Welsh Ponies (mean ± SD; 13.8 ± 9.0 years) classified as non‐insulin dysregulated [CON] (n = 10, insulin < 30 mU/L) or insulin dysregulated [ID] (n = 10, insulin > 60 mU/L) at 75 minutes after administration of Karo syrup, obese (n = 6) or nonobese (n = 14), and history of laminitis (n = 9) or no history of laminitis (n = 11).MethodsCase‐control study. Metabolomic analysis was performed on serum obtained at 0 minutes (baseline) and 75 minutes during the OST. Data were analyzed with multivariable mixed linear models with significance set at P ≤ .05.ResultsMetabolomic analysis of 646 metabolites (506 known) detected significant metabolite differences. At baseline, 55 metabolites (insulin response), 91 metabolites (obesity status), and 136 metabolites (laminitis history) were different. At 75 minutes, 51 metabolites (insulin response), 102 metabolites (obesity status), and 124 metabolites (laminitis history) were different.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceUse of metabolomics could have diagnostic utility for early detection of EMS and provide new knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of metabolic perturbations associated with this condition that might lead to improved clinical management.
Kinetic and kinematic follow‐up gait analysis in Doberman Pinschers with cervical spondylomyelopathy treated medically and surgically
Authors: Foss Kari D. , Smith Rebecca L. , da Costa Ronaldo C. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundThe efficacy of treatment of dogs with cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) is commonly based on the owner's and clinician's perception of the gait, which is highly subjective and suffers from observer bias.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo compare selected kinetic and kinematic parameters before and after treatments and to correlate the findings of gait analysis to clinical outcome.AnimalsEight Doberman Pinschers with CSM confirmed by magnetic resonsance imaging.MethodsPatients were prospectively studied and treated with either medical management (n = 5) or surgery (n = 3). Force plate analysis and 3‐D kinematic motion capture were performed at initial presentation and approximately 8 weeks later. Force plate parameters evaluated included peak vertical force (PVF). Kinematic parameters measured included number of pelvic limb strides, stifle flexion and extension, maximum and minimum thoracic limb distance, truncal sway, and thoracic limb stride duration.ResultsKinematic analysis showed that deviation of the spine to the right (truncal sway) was significantly smaller (P < .001) and the degree of right stifle flexion was significantly larger (P = .029) after treatment. Force plate analysis indicated that PVF was significantly different after treatment (P = .049) and the difference of the PVF also was significantly larger (P = .027). However, no correlation was found with either method of gait analysis and clinical recovery.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceKinetic and kinematic gait analysis were able to detect differences in dogs with CSM before and after treatment. A correlation of gait analysis to clinical improvement could not be determined.
Effect of interleukin‐1β on occludin mRNA expression in the duodenal and colonic mucosa of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Ogawa Misato , Osada Hironari , Hasegawa Ayana , Ohno Hikaru , Yanuma Nanako , Sasaki Kazuaki , Shimoda Minoru , Shirai Junsuke , Kondo Hirotaka , Ohmori Keitaro 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundMucosal imbalance of interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐1 receptor antagonist (Ra) has been reported in the duodenal mucosa of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the imbalance in the colonic mucosa and its role in duodenitis and colitis in IBD of dogs remain unclear.ObjectivesTo measure the expression of IL‐1β and IL‐1Ra proteins in the colonic mucosa of dogs with IBD, and to determine the effect of IL‐1β on expression of occludin (ocln) mRNA, a tight junction component, in the duodenal and colonic mucosa of dogs with IBD.AnimalsTwelve dogs with IBD and 6 healthy dogs.MethodsIL‐1β and IL‐1 Ra proteins in the colonic mucosa were quantified by ELISA in 7 of the 12 dogs with IBD. Expression of ocln mRNA in the duodenal and colonic mucosa was examined in the 12 dogs by real‐time PCR.ResultsThe ratio of IL‐1β to IL‐1Ra in the colonic mucosa was significantly higher in dogs with IBD than in healthy dogs. The ex vivo experiment determined that IL‐1β suppressed expression of ocln mRNA in the colonic mucosa, but not in the duodenal mucosa, of healthy dogs. Expression of ocln mRNA in the colonic mucosa, but not in the duodenal mucosa, was significantly lower in dogs with IBD than in healthy dogs.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceA relative increase in IL‐1β may attenuate ocln expression, leading to intestinal barrier dysfunction and promotion of intestinal inflammation in the colonic mucosa, but not in the duodenal mucosa, of dogs with IBD.
Effect of cross‐match on packed cell volume after transfusion of packed red blood cells in transfusion‐naïve anemic cats
Authors: Sylvane Brittany , Prittie Jennifer , Hohenhaus Ann E. , Tozier Erik 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundNovel feline RBC antigens might contribute to decreased efficacy of RBC transfusion and increased incidence of acute transfusion reactions (ATR).ObjectivesTo examine the effect of major cross‐match in transfusion‐naïve anemic cats on the incidence of acute immunologic transfusion reaction and transfusion efficacy for up to 24 hours after transfusion.AnimalsForty‐eight client owned transfusion‐naïve anemic cats.MethodsProspective, randomized, controlled study. All transfusion‐naïve cats receiving packed red blood cells (pRBC) transfusions from January 2016 to August 2017 were eligible for inclusion. Cats in the study group received cross‐match and blood type compatible pRBCs and cats in the control group received noncross‐matched blood type compatible pRBCs. Incidence of ATR and change in PCV after transfusion was recorded.ResultsNo significant difference in incidence of transfusion reactions between cross‐matched and noncross‐matched groups (CM+ 4/24; 17%, CM– 7/24; 29%,P = .16). No significant difference between groups in mean change in PCV after transfusion scaled to dose of pRBCs administered at any time point after transfusion (immediate: CM+ 0.62 ± 0.59, CM– 0.75 ± 0.48,P = .41; 1 hour: CM+ 0.60 ± 0.66, CM– 0.74 ± 0.53,P = .43; 12 hours: CM+ 0.70 ± 0.55, CM– 0.66 ± 0.60,P = .81; 24 hours: CM+ 0.64 ± 0.71, CM– 0.55 ± 0.48,P = .70).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceOur results do not support use of the major cross‐match test to increase efficacy of, and to decrease adverse events associated with, RBC transfusion in AB blood typed transfusion‐naïve cats.
Variation in water disappearance, daily dose, and synovial fluid concentrations of tylvalosin and 3‐O‐acetyltylosin in commerical pigs during five day water medication with tylvalosin under field conditions
Authors: Canning P. , Bates J. , Skoland K. , Coetzee J. , Wulf L. , Rajewski S. , Wang C. , Gauger P. , Ramirez A. , Karriker L. 
Published: March 2018

Tylvalosin (TVN) is a water soluble macrolide used in swine production to treat enteric, respiratory, and arthritic pathogens. There is limited data on its distribution to synovial fluid beyond gavage studies, which do not represent field conditions. This study measured water disappearance, TVN concentration in the medicated water, daily dose, and concentrations of TVN and 3‐O‐acetyltylosin (3AT) in the synovial fluid and plasma of treated pigs over the administration period. The study emphasized understanding variation in tissue TVN concentrations within the context of a field setting. Sixty finisher pigs were housed individually with individual waterers. Six pigs were randomly allocated to the following time points for sample collection: 0, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 102, 108, 114, and 120 hr on medication. TVN was administered daily in the water for 5 days. Water disappearance and medicated water concentration were measured daily. At each time point, six pigs were euthanized and plasma and synovial fluid were collected for analysis. Median TVN synovial fluid concentrations ranged between <1 ng/ml (hour 0) to 3.6 ng/ml (hour 84). There was substantial variation between individual pigs for water disappearance (mean 4.36L and range 0–7.84). Median TVN water concentration was 59 ppm (range 38–75 ppm).
Biotic resistance affects growth and reproduction, but not survival of a high‐impact woody invader in African savannas
Authors: te Beest Mariska , Mpandza Nokukhanya J. , Olff Han 
Published: March 2018

AbstractQuestionBiotic resistance is defined as the reduction in invasion success caused by the native community through competition, herbivory and/or pathogens. Biotic resistance has mostly been studied during the initial stages of invasion. However, to what extent biotic resistance hampers survival, or persistence, of invaders in the longer term is often not known. We studied how native grassland communities affected growth, reproduction and survival during the adult life stage of the high‐impact woody invader Chromolaena odorata under different water availability treatments.LocationHluhluwe‐iMfolozi Park, South Africa.MethodsWe performed a 2‐years full‐factorial field experiment in a savanna grassland where we manipulated water availability and neighbouring vegetation; in one‐third of the plots vegetation was cleared and planted with C. odorata monocultures, in one‐third C. odorata shrubs were planted in grasslands, and one‐third were unplanted grassland controls.ResultsGrowth and reproduction of adult C. odorata were greatly reduced due to competition with native grasses, but not survival of C. odorata. Shrub survival was high and did not differ in plots with and without grass. Water availability did not affect growth, reproduction and competitive ability of C. odorata, but higher water availability did increase the competitive ability of the grasses. Soil moisture levels were lower in grasslands planted with C. odorata compared to unplanted controls, independent of the water treatment, suggesting higher water use of C. odorata compared to native grasses.ConclusionsSavanna grasslands have a strong competitive effect on invasion by the exotic woody shrub C. odorata, reducing growth and reproduction, but not survival of the shrub. We found no evidence that biotic resistance was stronger under more unfavourable abiotic conditions, as C. odorata was equally impacted in all water treatments. The high survival rates of C. odorata suggest that competitive interactions are not likely to prevent invader persistence in the landscape. Invader persistence is important in determining longer‐term invasion success as well as invader impact, and the concept of persistence should not be overlooked in studies on invasive species.