bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing ecological function in the context of species recovery
Authors: Akçakaya H. Resit , Rodrigues Ana S. L. , Keith David A. , Milner‐Gulland E. J. , Sanderson Eric W. , Hedges Simon , Mallon David P. , Grace Molly K. , Long Barney , Meijaard Erik , Stephenson P. J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSpecies interactions matter to conservation. Setting an ambitious recovery target for a species requires considering the size, density, and demographic structure of its populations such that they fulfill the interactions, roles, and functions of the species in the ecosystems in which they are embedded. A recently proposed framework for an International Union for Conservation of Nature Green List of Species formalizes this requirement by defining a fully recovered species in terms of representation, viability, and functionality. Defining and quantifying ecological function from the viewpoint of species recovery is challenging in concept and application, but also an opportunity to insert ecological theory into conservation practice. We propose 2 complementary approaches to assessing a species’ ecological functions: confirmation (listing interactions of the species, identifying ecological processes and other species involved in these interactions, and quantifying the extent to which the species contributes to the identified ecological process) and elimination (inferring functionality by ruling out symptoms of reduced functionality, analogous to the red‐list approach that focuses on symptoms of reduced viability). Despite the challenges, incorporation of functionality into species recovery planning is possible in most cases and it is essential to a conservation vision that goes beyond preventing extinctions and aims to restore a species to levels beyond what is required for its viability. This vision focuses on conservation and recovery at the species level and sees species as embedded in ecosystems, influencing and being influenced by the processes in those ecosystems. Thus, it connects and integrates conservation at the species and ecosystem levels.
Interleukin‐34 mediated by hepatitis B virus X protein via CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein α contributes to the proliferation and migration of hepatoma cells
Authors: Kong Fanyun , Zhou Kai , Zhu Ting , Lian Qi , Tao Yukai , Li Nan , Tu Tao , Bi Yanwei , Yang Xiaoying , Pan Xiucheng , Li Shibao , You Hongjuan , Zheng Kuiyang , Tang Renxian 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectivesInterleukin‐34 (IL‐34) is associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role and associated mechanisms of IL‐34 in HBV‐related HCC remain unclear. In this study, the expression, biological function and associated mechanisms of IL‐34 in HBV‐related HCC cells were investigated.MethodsIL‐34 expression induced by HBV and HBV X (HBX) gene was measured in hepatoma cells. The role of CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein α (CEBP/α) in HBX‐induced IL‐34 expression was examined. The signal pathways involved in the expression of CEBP/α and IL‐34 induced by HBX were assessed. The role of IL‐34 in the proliferation and migration of HCC cells, and related mechanisms were explored.ResultsDependent on HBX, HBV increased IL‐34 expression in hepatoma cells, and HBX upregulated and interacted with CEBP/α to enhance the activity of IL‐34 promoters. CEBP/α mediated by HBX was associated with the activation of PI3‐K and NF‐κB pathways to promote IL‐34 expression. Via CSF1‐R and CD138, IL‐34 promoted the proliferation and migration of hepatoma cells, and contributed to the activation of ERK and STAT3 pathways and the upregulation of Bcl‐xl and c‐Myc mediated by HBX.ConclusionWe demonstrate that IL‐34 contributes to HBX‐mediated functional abnormality of HCC cells and provides a novel insight into the molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis mediated by HBX.
Multimodality imaging of quadricuspid pulmonary valve associated with pulmonary artery aneurysm
Authors: Ansari‐Gilani Kianoush , Hoit Brian D. , Gilkeson Robert C. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractQuadricuspid pulmonary valve is a rare entity that can be associated with pulmonary artery aneurysm. It is usually asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. Association with other congenital or acquired heart diseases has been reported. Echocardiography and gated CT angiography can provide useful functional and anatomic information that can help in the diagnosis and management.
Parthenogenesis and developmental constraints
Authors: Galis Frietson , van Alphen Jacques J. M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe absence of a paternal contribution in an unfertilized ovum presents two developmental constraints against the evolution of parthenogenesis. We discuss the constraint caused by the absence of a centrosome and the one caused by the missing set of chromosomes and how they have been broken in specific taxa. They are examples of only a few well‐underpinned examples of developmental constraints acting at macro‐evolutionary scales in animals. Breaking of the constraint of the missing chromosomes is the best understood and generally involves rare occasions of drastic changes of meiosis. These drastic changes can be best explained by having been induced, or at least facilitated, by sudden cytological events (e.g., repeated rounds of hybridization, endosymbiont infections, and contagious infections). Once the genetic and developmental machinery is in place for regular or obligate parthenogenesis, shifts to other types of parthenogenesis can apparently rather easily evolve, for example, from facultative to obligate parthenogenesis, or from pseudoarrhenotoky to haplodiploidy.We argue that the combination of the two developmental constraints forms a near‐absolute barrier against the gradual evolution from sporadic to obligate or regular facultative parthenogenesis, which can probably explain why the occurrence of the highly advantageous mode of regular facultative parthenogenesis is so rare and entirely absent in vertebrates.
Preference of Bt‐resistant and susceptible Busseola fusca moths and larvae for Bt and non‐Bt maize
Authors: Visser Andri , du Plessis Hannalene , Erasmus Annemie , Van den Berg Johnnie 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe sustainability of genetically engineered insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) maize, Zea mays L. (Poaceae), is threatened by the evolution of resistance by target pest species. Several Lepidoptera species have evolved resistance to Cry proteins expressed by Bt maize over the last decade, including the African maize stem borer, Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The insect resistance management (IRM) strategy (i.e., the high‐dose/refuge strategy) deployed to delay resistance evolution is grounded on certain assumptions about the biology and ecology of a pest species, for example, the interactions between the insect pest and crop plants. Should these assumptions be violated, the evolution of resistance within pest populations will be rapid. This study evaluated the assumption that B. fusca adults and larvae select and colonize maize plants at random, and do not show any preference for either Bt or non‐Bt maize. Gravid female B. fusca moths of a resistant and susceptible population were subjected to two‐choice oviposition preference tests using stems of Bt and non‐Bt maize plants. Both the number of egg batches as well as the total number of eggs laid on each stem were recorded. The feeding preference of Bt‐resistant and susceptible neonate B. fusca larvae were evaluated in choice test bioassays with whorl leaf samples of specific maize cultivars. Although no differential oviposition preference was observed for either resistant or susceptible female moths, leaf damage ratings indicated that neonate larvae were able to detect Bt toxins and that they displayed feeding avoidance behaviour on Bt maize leaf samples.
Enhanced oxidative stress contributes to worse prognosis and delayed neurofunctional recovery after striatal intracerebral hemorrhage in 5XFAD mice
Authors: Hayashi Kenyu , Hasegawa Yu , Takemoto Yushin , Cao Cheng , Mukasa Akitake , Kim‐Mitsuyama Shokei 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAlthough Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) caused by hypertension and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, the precise clinical course after hypertensive ICH in AD patients is still unknown. In this study, we investigated how striatal ICH, a frequent site for hypertensive ICH, affected the prognosis of AD. We employed 17‐ and 18‐month‐old male 5XFAD (5X) mice and littermate (LT) controls, and striatal ICH was induced by collagenase injection. First, to address the acute effects of ICH on 5X mice, hemorrhagic volume and brain edema were evaluated 3 days after ICH. Next, to address the long‐term effects of ICH on 5X mice, morbidity, mortality, neurological function (beam‐walking and rotarod tests), and cognitive function (Y‐maze and nest‐building tests) were monitored. Twenty‐eight days later, the animals were euthanized, their brains were isolated, and the cytotoxic alterations were investigated. The results revealed that the acute effects of ICH were not significantly different between 5X and LT mice. In contrast, 5X mice showed significantly higher morbidity and mortality in response to ICH, as well as delayed neurological function recovery, compared to LT mice through 28 days. ICH did not affect cognitive function in either group. Infiltrated macrophages in the perihemorrhagic cortex, gp91phox, p67phox, and COX‐2 were significantly increased in 5X mice in response to ICH. We demonstrated that striatal ICH deteriorated prognosis and delayed neurofunctional recovery in 5X mice, which might be associated with enhanced oxidative stress in the presence of AD‐like pathology.
Replicated anthropogenic hybridisations reveal parallel patterns of admixture in marine mussels
Authors: Simon Alexis , Arbiol Christine , Nielsen Einar Eg , Couteau Jérôme , Sussarellu Rossana , Burgeot Thierry , Bernard Ismaël , Coolen Joop W. P. , Lamy Jean‐Baptiste , Robert Stéphane , Skazina Maria , Strelkov Petr , Queiroga Henrique , Cancio Ibon , Welch John J. , Viard Frédérique , Bierne Nicolas 
Published: October 2019

AbstractHuman‐mediated transport creates secondary contacts between genetically differentiated lineages, bringing new opportunities for gene exchange. When similar introductions occur in different places, they provide informally replicated experiments for studying hybridisation. We here examined 4,279 Mytilus mussels, sampled in Europe and genotyped with 77 ancestry‐informative markers. We identified a type of introduced mussels, called “dock mussels,” associated with port habitats and displaying a particular genetic signal of admixture between M. edulis and the Mediterranean lineage of M. galloprovincialis. These mussels exhibit similarities in their ancestry compositions, regardless of the local native genetic backgrounds and the distance separating colonised ports. We observed fine‐scale genetic shifts at the port entrance, at scales below natural dispersal distance. Such sharp clines do not fit with migration‐selection tension zone models, and instead suggest habitat choice and early‐stage adaptation to the port environment, possibly coupled with connectivity barriers. Variations in the spread and admixture patterns of dock mussels seem to be influenced by the local native genetic backgrounds encountered. We next examined departures from the average admixture rate at different loci, and compared human‐mediated admixture events, to naturally admixed populations and experimental crosses. When the same M. galloprovincialis background was involved, positive correlations in the departures of loci across locations were found; but when different backgrounds were involved, no or negative correlations were observed. While some observed positive correlations might be best explained by a shared history and saltatory colonisation, others are likely produced by parallel selective events. Altogether, genome‐wide effect of admixture seems repeatable and more dependent on genetic background than environmental context. Our results pave the way towards further genomic analyses of admixture, and monitoring of the spread of dock mussels both at large and at fine spacial scales.
BAY 94‐9027 prophylaxis is efficacious and well tolerated for up to >5 years with extended dosing intervals: PROTECT VIII extension interim results
Authors: Lalezari Shadan , Reding Mark T. , Pabinger Ingrid , Holme Pal Andre , Negrier Claude , Chalasani Pavani , Shin Ho‐Jin , Wang Maria , Tseneklidou‐Stoeter Despina , Maas Enriquez Monika 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroductionBAY 94‐9027 is an extended‒half‐life, site‐specifically PEGylated, B‐domain‒deleted recombinant factor VIII (FVIII). The PROTECT VIII main study demonstrated efficacy of bleed control using extended‐interval prophylaxis with BAY 94‐9027 for 36 weeks.AimTo report long‐term efficacy and safety of prophylaxis with BAY 94‐9027 in a descriptive analysis of the ongoing PROTECT VIII extension with a total treatment time of up to >5 years.MethodsPreviously treated males aged 12‐65 years with severe haemophilia A who completed the PROTECT VIII main study were eligible for the open‐label extension. Patients received on‐demand treatment or prophylaxis (30‒40 IU/kg twice weekly, 45‒60 IU/kg every 5 days, or 60 IU/kg every 7 days) and could switch regimens as needed.ResultsPatients (N = 121; on demand, n = 14; prophylaxis, n = 107) accumulated a median (range) of 3.9 years (297‒1965 days) and 223 (23‒563) total exposure days by 31 January 2018. During the extension, median (quartile [Q]1; Q3) annualized bleeding rates (ABRs) for total bleeds were 1.6 (0.3; 4.6) for patients receiving prophylaxis and 34.1 (20.3; 36.6) for patients receiving on‐demand treatment. ABRs for twice‐weekly (n = 23), every‐5‐days (n = 33), every‐7‐days (n = 23) and variable frequency (n = 28) treatments were 1.7, 1.2, 0.7 and 3.1, respectively. Of prophylaxis patients, 20.6% were bleed‐free throughout the extension (median time, 3.2 years), and 51.0% were bleed‐free during the last 6 months. No patients developed FVIII inhibitors.ConclusionsBAY 94‐9027 prophylaxis was efficacious and well tolerated with dosing intervals up to every 7 days for a median (range) of 3.9 years (0.8‐5.4 years).
Dentinal microcracks on freshly extracted teeth: the impact of the extraction technique
Authors: Arashiro F. N. , De‐Deus G. , Belladonna F. G. , Cavalcante D. M. , Coelho M. S. , Silva E. J. N. L. , Pereira K. F. S. , da Silva P. G. , Lopes R. T. , Souza E. M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimTo evaluate the incidence of root dentinal microcracks after two extraction techniques through micro‐computed tomographic (micro‐CT) analysis.MethodologyThirty pairs of premolars, extracted for orthodontic reasons, were assigned to two experimental groups, following a split‐mouth design (n = 30): traumatic technique group (TTG) – teeth extracted following a conventional protocol using forceps, and an atraumatic technique group (ATG) – teeth extracted following an atraumatic technique protocol in which the root was gently detached from the periodontal ligament using a periotome. All teeth were immediately immersed in distilled water and scanned in a micro‐CT device within 72 h following the extraction. The assessment of the images was completed on cross‐section images by two masked evaluators. The Mann–Whitney test was used to assess the significant differences between the groups regarding the number of cross‐sections displaying microcracks whilst the Fischer’s exact test was used to assess differences in the frequency of specimens with defects (P < 0.05).ResultsA total of 52 750 micro‐CT cross‐sectional images were evaluated. A total of 352 cross‐sections had at least one dentinal defect. Microcracks were observed in five teeth of the TTG group (n = 352 slices) and in two teeth of the ATG group (n = 103 slices). The statistical analysis used was unable to detect a significant difference between the groups in terms of the number of dentinal microcracks (P = 0.233) and in the frequency of teeth displaying microcracks (P = 0.424).ConclusionA small number of sound teeth without endodontic treatment had dentinal microcracks regardless of the extraction technique applied. No difference was noticed between the traumatic and atraumatic techniques in the incidence of microcracks.
Measuring what matters and guiding policy: An evaluation of the Genuine Progress Indicator
Authors: BERIK Günseli 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis article examines the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), which seeks to respond to the shortcomings of GDP and the main contemporary challenges to welfare. As a monetary indicator, the GPI is uniquely suited to evaluate the impact of policy proposals and its dashboard‐like features are able to track changes in contributing variables. While the GPI is currently not available for use in cross‐country analyses, it will be measurable using a standard methodology once certain data issues have been resolved and a consensus is reached on GPI 2.0. Currently, the main obstacles to its widespread use are lack of political leadership and institutional support.
Structure, microwave dielectric performance, and infrared reflectivity spectrum of olivine‐type Mg2Ge0.98O4 ceramic
Authors: Chen Junqi , Tang Ying , Yin Changzhi , Yu Mingyang , Xiang Huaicheng , Li Chunchun , Xing Xianran , Fang Liang 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAn ultra‐low dielectric loss ceramics Mg2Ge0.98O4 with olivine structure was fabricated by conventional solid‐state route. The phase composition, crystal structure, and microwave dielectric properties were investigated. The phase of Mg2Ge0.98O4 is formed to the orthorhombic forsterite structure with a space group Pmnb (62). The dense microstructure and excellent microwave dielectric properties of Mg2Ge0.98O4 ceramic were obtained at 1360°C for 4 hours, with relative density ~96.4%, εr ~ 7.3, Q × f = 112 400 GHz, and τf ~ −64.6 ppm/°C. The conductive mechanism of Mg2Ge0.98O4 in the low frequency (<1 MHz) was studied by the dielectric spectroscopy and the result with Edc = 0.93 eV demonstrates that the defect was contributed to the double ionized oxygen vacancies. The intrinsic dielectric properties of Mg2Ge0.98O4 in the microwave region were obtained by infrared reflectivity spectra with εr ~ 7.13, Q × f = 120 400 GHz. And, acceptable τf (~+2.6 ppm/°C) of 0.92Mg2Ge0.98O4–0.08CaTiO3 composite ceramic was obtained by adding the CaTiO3.
Correlations between pore structure parameters and gas permeability of corundum porous materials
Authors: Xiong Xin , Wang Zhoufu , Wang Xitang , Liu Hao , Ma Yan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCorundum porous materials with different contents of calcium hexaluminate formed in situ were prepared using pure calcium aluminate cement as the calcium source. The surface fractal dimensions of the porous materials were calculated based on the experimental data of mercury intrusion. Correlations between pore structural parameters and the permeability coefficients k1 and k2 of the porous materials were then studied based on the grey system theory. The results showed that pores in the corundum porous materials have great fractal characteristics. The surface fractal dimension was a significant pore structural parameter that reflected the complexity of pore shape, pore surface, and pore‐size distribution, which had the maximum correlation coefficient with the permeability of this type of porous materials. The apparent porosity and pore‐size distribution had relatively high correlation coefficients to the permeability as well. Increasing the apparent porosity and the volume percentage of larger pores, and decreasing the volume percentage of smaller pores all benefited the permeability of the porous materials. In addition, the mean pore size and median pore size showed lower correlation coefficients to the permeability—especially for porous materials with a wide pore‐size distribution.
Genetic analysis on body weight at different ages in broiler chicken raised in commercial environment
Authors: Chu Thinh Tuan , Madsen Per , Norberg Elise , Wang Lei , Marois Danye , Henshall John , Jensen Just 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA multivariate model was developed and used to estimate genetic parameters of body weight (BW) at 1–6 weeks of age of broilers raised in a commercial environment. The development of model was based on the predictive ability of breeding values evaluated from a cross‐validation procedure that relied on half‐sib correlation. The multivariate model accounted for heterogeneous variances between sexes through standardization applied to male and female BWs differently. It was found that the direct additive genetic, permanent environmental maternal and residual variances for BW increased drastically as broilers aged. The drastic increase in variances over weeks of age was mainly due to scaling effects. The ratio of the permanent environmental maternal variance to phenotypic variance decreased gradually with increasing age. Heritability of BW traits ranged from 0.28 to 0.33 at different weeks of age. The direct genetic effects on consecutive weekly BWs had high genetic correlations (0.85–0.99), but the genetic correlations between early and late BWs were low (0.32–0.57). The difference in variance components between sexes increased with increasing age. In conclusion, the permanent environmental maternal effect on broiler chicken BW decreased with increasing age from weeks 1 to 6. Potential bias of the model that considered identical variances for sexes could be reduced when heterogeneous variances between sexes are accounted for in the model.
Transplantation of adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cell sheets directly into the kidney suppresses the progression of renal injury in a diabetic nephropathy rat model
Authors: Takemura Shunsuke , Shimizu Tatsuya , Oka Masatoshi , Sekiya Sachiko , Babazono Tetsuya 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAims/IntroductionAdipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cell (ASC) transplantation is a promising therapy for diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, intravascular administration of ASCs is associated with low engraftment in target organs. Therefore, we considered applying the cell sheet technology to ASCs. In this study, ASC sheets were directly transplanted into the kidneys of a DN rat model, and therapeutic consequences were analyzed.Materials and MethodsAdipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from adipose tissues of 7‐week‐old enhanced green fluorescent protein rats, and ASC sheets were prepared using a temperature‐responsive culture dish. A DN rat model was established from 5‐week‐old Spontaneously Diabetic Torii fatty rats. Seven‐week‐old DN rats (n = 21) were assigned to one of the following groups: sham‐operated (n = 6); ASC suspension (6.0 × 106 cells/mL) administered intravenously (n = 7); six ASC sheets transplanted directly into the kidney (n = 8). The therapeutic effect of the cell sheets was determined based on urinary biomarker expression and histological analyses.ResultsThe ASC sheets survived under the kidney capsule of the DN rat model for 14 days after transplantation. Furthermore, albuminuria and urinary tumor necrosis factor‐α levels were significantly lower in the ASC sheets transplanted directly into the kidney group than in the sham‐operated and ASC suspension administered intravenously groups (P < 0.05). Histologically, the ASC sheets transplanted directly into the kidney group presented mild atrophy of the proximal tubule and maintained the renal tubular structure.ConclusionsTransplantation of ASC sheets directly into the kidney improved transplantation efficiency and suppressed renal injury progression. Therefore, the ASC sheet technology might be a promising novel treatment for DN.