bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction and control of symmetry breaking in embryoid bodies by environment and signal integration
Authors: Sagy Naor , Slovin Shaked , Allalouf Maya , Pour Maayan , Savyon Gaya , Boxman Jonathan , Nachman Iftach 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDuring early embryogenesis, mechanical signals, localized biochemical signals and neighboring cell layers interaction coordinate around anteroposterior axis determination and symmetry breaking. Deciphering their relative roles, which are hard to tease apart in vivo, will enhance our understanding of how these processes are driven. In recent years, in vitro 3D models of early mammalian development, such as embryoid bodies (EBs) and gastruloids, were successful in mimicking various aspects of the early embryo, providing high throughput accessible systems for studying the basic rules shaping cell fate and morphology during embryogenesis. Using Brachyury (Bry), a primitive streak and mesendoderm marker in EBs, we study how contact, biochemical and neighboring cell cues affect the positioning of a primitive streak-like locus, determining the AP axis. We show that a Bry-competent layer must be formed in the EB before Bry expression initiates, and that Bry onset locus selection depends on contact points of the EB with its surrounding. We can maneuver Bry onset to occur at a specific locus, a few loci, or in an isotropic peripheral pattern. By spatially separating contact and biochemical signal sources, we show these two modalities can be integrated by the EB to generate a single Bry locus. Finally, we show Foxa2+ cells are predictive of the future location of Bry onset, demonstrating an earlier symmetry-breaking event. By delineating the temporal signaling pathway dependencies of Bry and Foxa2, we were able to selectively abolish either, or spatially decouple the two cell types during EB differentiation. These findings demonstrate multiple inputs integration during an early developmental process, and may prove valuable in directing in vitro differentiation.
Rituximab therapy for refractory autoimmune bullous diseases: A multicenter, open‐label, single‐arm, phase 1/2 study on 10 Japanese patients
Authors: Kurihara Yuichi , Yamagami Jun , Funakoshi Takeru , Ishii Maki , Miyamoto Julia , Fujio Yumi , Kakuta Risa , Tanikawa Akiko , Aoyama Yumi , Iwatsuki Keiji , Ishii Norito , Hashimoto Takashi , Nishie Wataru , Shimizu Hiroshi , Kouyama Keisuke , Amagai Masayuki 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis was a multicenter study of rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal immunoglobulin G antibody directed against CD20, for the treatment of refractory autoimmune bullous diseases (pemphigus and pemphigoid). Ten patients (three with pemphigus vulgaris, six with pemphigus foliaceus and one with bullous pemphigoid) were treated with a single cycle of rituximab (four weekly infusions at a dose of 375 mg/m2 of body surface area). The primary end‐points were the number of serious adverse events and rate of complete remission at 40 weeks. Five patients (50%) achieved complete remission with minimal therapy (defined as no active lesions with lower doses of systemic corticosteroids compared to that with prednisolone 10 mg/day). Improvements in clinical scores (Pemphigus Disease Area Index) and decreases in autoantibody titers in the sera were observed in the four pemphigus patients who failed to achieve complete remission. This suggests that rituximab was effective in nine of 10 cases. Two serious adverse events (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and septic shock due to infectious arthritis) were observed and adequately treated with hospitalization. CD19‐positive B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood decreased on day 29 following rituximab treatment, and remained at low levels throughout the observation period (280 days). Our results confirmed the efficacy of rituximab therapy for refractory autoimmune bullous diseases in Japan.
Microbial metal‐sulfide oxidation in inactive hydrothermal vent chimneys suggested by metagenomic and metaproteomic analyses
Authors: Meier Dimitri V. , Pjevac Petra , Bach Wolfgang , Markert Stephanie , Schweder Thomas , Jamieson John , Petersen Sven , Amann Rudolf , Meyerdierks Anke 
Published: December 2018

SummaryMetal‐sulfides are wide‐spread in marine benthic habitats. At deep‐sea hydrothermal vents, they occur as massive sulfide chimneys formed by mineral precipitation upon mixing of reduced vent fluids with cold oxygenated sea water. Although microorganisms inhabiting actively venting chimneys and utilizing compounds supplied by the venting fluids are well studied, only little is known about microorganisms inhabiting inactive chimneys. In this study, we combined 16S rRNA gene‐based community profiling of sulfide chimneys from the Manus Basin (SW Pacific) with radiometric dating, metagenome (n = 4) and metaproteome (n = 1) analyses. Our results shed light on potential lifestyles of yet poorly characterized bacterial clades colonizing inactive chimneys. These include sulfate‐reducing Nitrospirae and sulfide‐oxidizing Gammaproteobacteria dominating most of the inactive chimney communities. Our phylogenetic analysis attributed the gammaproteobacterial clades to the recently described Woeseiaceae family and the SSr‐clade found in marine sediments around the world. Metaproteomic data identified these Gammaproteobacteria as autotrophic sulfide‐oxidizers potentially facilitating metal‐sulfide dissolution via extracellular electron transfer. Considering the wide distribution of these gammaproteobacterial clades in marine environments such as hydrothermal vents and sediments, microbially accelerated neutrophilic mineral oxidation might be a globally relevant process in benthic element cycling and a considerable energy source for carbon fixation in marine benthic habitats.
Differential ratio amplicons (Ramp) for the evaluation of RNA integrity extracted from complex environmental samples
Authors: Cholet Fabien , Ijaz Umer Z. , Smith Cindy J. 
Published: December 2018

SummaryReliability and reproducibility of transcriptomics‐based studies are dependent on RNA integrity. In microbial ecology, microfluidics‐based techniques, such as the Ribosomal Integrity Number (RIN), targeting rRNA are currently the only approaches to evaluate RNA integrity. However, the relationship between rRNA and mRNA integrity is unknown. Here, we present an integrity index, the Ratio Amplicon, Ramp, adapted from human clinical studies, to directly monitor mRNA integrity from complex environmental samples. We show, in a suite of experimental degradations of RNA extracted from sediment, that while the RIN generally reflected the degradation status of RNA the Ramp mapped mRNA degradation better. Furthermore, we examined the effect of degradation on transcript community structure by amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA, amoA and glnA transcripts. We successfully sequenced transcripts for all three targets even from highly‐degraded RNA samples. While RNA degradation changed the community structure of the mRNA profiles, no changes were observed for the 16S rRNA transcript profiles. Since both RT‐Q‐PCR and sequencing results were obtained, even from highly degraded samples, we strongly recommend evaluating RNA integrity prior to downstream processing to ensure meaningful results. For this, both the RIN and Ramp are useful, with the Ramp better evaluating mRNA integrity in this study.
Religious Radicalization and Lone‐Actor Terrorism: A Matter for Psychiatry?
Authors: Prats Manon , Raymond Sophie , Gasman Ivan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis article discusses the place of the psychiatric field in the ongoing phenomenon of religious radicalization. First, the article provides an overview of the existing literature on lone‐actor terrorists and the link with mental illness. Current research is focusing increasingly on lone‐actor terrorists. This is the most recent and rising development on the global terrorism scene. The literature is currently developing a more precise and informed definition of lone‐actor terrorism. The article then describes and discusses the case study of a mentally ill patient arrested following his assault on a military serviceman on the grounds of religious radicalization. The patient, diagnosed with schizophrenia, is taken as an example of the specific case of religious radicalization in patients with schizophrenia. Finally, the article discusses the curative and preventive roles that can be played by psychiatrists and other professionals who are in contact with these types of patients.
Social vocalizations of big‐footed myotis (Myotis macrodactylus) during foraging
Authors: GUO Dongge , LUO Bo , ZHANG Kangkang , LIU Muxun , METZNER Walter , LIU Ying , FENG Jiang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAcoustic signals play a crucial role in transmitting information and maintaining social stability in gregarious animals, especially in echolocating bats, which rely primarily on biological sonar for navigating in the dark. In the context of foraging without relying on tactile, visual or olfactory cues, acoustic signals convey information not only on food but also on ownership and defense of resources. However, studies on such information remain fragmentary. In the present study, we aim to document the social vocal repertoire of Myotis macrodactylus at natural foraging sites. Multiple acoustic analyses and spectrographic classification revealed a rich foraging vocal repertoire comprising 6 simple syllables and 2 composites. Discriminant function analyses associated with a subset‐validation procedure provided an optimal method to spectrographically classify all recorded sounds into different syllable types. Multidimensional scaling of median values of multiple parameters further confirmed notable differences among these syllables in a 3‐D space. In addition, Euclidean distance analysis showed that there were some spectral similarities between specific social vocal syllables and feeding buzzes, which implied a potential jamming role. Altogether, the data indicate that bats at foraging sites under natural conditions used variant social vocalizations with different functions in addition to echolocation calls, providing supporting evidence for further work on the function and vocal mechanisms of acoustic communication in mammals.
Testing the effectiveness of conservation management within biosphere reserves: the case of the Mexican deer mouse (Peromyscus mexicanus) as a bioindicator
Authors: COBO‐SIMÓN Irene , MÉNDEZ‐CEA Belén , PORTILLO Héctor , ELVIR Fausto , VEGA Hermes , GALLEGO Francisco Javier , FONTECHA Gustavo 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBiosphere reserves are protected areas whose purpose is to combine conservation and sustainable development. However, their effectiveness has not been tested sufficiently, especially from an ecological and genetic approach. In this sense, thePeromyscusgenus represents an excellent bioindicator to address these questions, due to its short life and high evolutionary rate and fecundity. For conservation managers, genetic structure can increase the rate of loss of genetic diversity because alleles exclusive of a subpopulation are more likely to disappear as a consequence of genetic drift in comparison with a panmictic population. Here we analyzed the abundance, movement distances, morphology/morphometry and genetic structure of 3 populations of Mexican deer mouse (Peromyscus mexicanus) located in different protected zones of La Tigra National Park (Honduras). Our results are consistent among the 3 approaches and showed the highest values of abundance, morphometry and genetic diversity in the population located at the core zone, whereas non‐statistically significant differences were found between buffer and transition zone populations, suggesting suitable effectiveness of conservation management in the core zone but a lack of ecological buffering function of the other zones. In addition, the low movement distances and high genetic structure among the studied populations provide evidence of poor conservation management in the buffer and transition zone. Thus, we discuss the utility of the novel methodology used in this work, combining morphometry, abundance and genetics, in testing the effectiveness of conservation strategies in biosphere reserves, and the value of thePeromyscusgenus as a bioindicator.
Visual and auditory cues facilitate cache pilferage of Siberian chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus) under indoor conditions
Authors: NIU Hongyu , CHU Wei , YI Xianfeng , ZHANG Hongmao 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn the struggle for survival, scatter‐hoarding rodents are known to cache food and pilfer the caches of others. The extent to which rodents utilize auditory/visual cues from conspecifics to improve cache‐pilfering is unknown. Here, Siberian chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus) were allowed to search for caches of Corylus heterophylla seeds (man‐made caches and animal‐made caches) after experiencing cues from a conspecific's cache‐searching events. For each type of cache, 3 experimental scenarios were presented: (1) alone (control); (2) auditory/visual (hearing and seeing conspecific's cache‐searching events); and (3) auditory only (hearing conspecific's cache‐searching events only) with random orders. The subjects located man‐made caches faster, harvested more caches, and hoarded more seeds both in the auditory/visual and the auditory only treatments compared to the control, while scatter‐hoarding more seeds in the auditory/visual treatment but larder‐hoarding more seeds in the auditory only treatment. Compared to the control, the animals spent less time locating animal‐made caches, harvested more caches, ate fewer seeds, larder‐hoarded more seeds and hoarded more seeds in total both in the auditory/visual and the auditory only treatments, while eating more seeds and hoarded fewer seeds in total in the auditory only treatment than in the auditory/visual treatment. The results also show that females spent less time locating the animal‐made caches, but they scatter‐hoarded fewer seeds than males in the auditory/visual treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that visual and/or auditory cues of conspecifics improve cache‐pilfering and hoarding in rodents.
Importance of bird traits for seed dispersal patterns of co‐fruiting trees in a patchy forest
Authors: LI Ning , WANG Zheng , ZHANG Shuai , YAN Chuan , LI Xinhai , LU Changhu 
Published: December 2018

AbstractHabitat fragmentation is globally one of the most important drivers of change in biodiversity. Seed dispersal by birds is crucial for tree regeneration in remnant patchy forests, yet how bird traits affect seed dispersal pattern is still poorly understood. We studied the extent to which bird traits affect seed‐removal networks and whether these traits affect seed deposition and seedling recruitment for 3 co‐fruiting tree species (Taxus chinensis, Cinnamomum bodinieri and Machilus thunbergii) in a patchy forest. A total of 17, 18 and 10 bird species were recorded foraging for seeds of T. chinensis, M. thunbergii and C. bodinieri, respectively. Frequency of bird visitation increased with tail length, wing length and body length. Furthermore, bird body length, bill length, body weight and wing length were important in the strength of the seed removal network. During foraging, 6 bird species exhibited different patterns of microhabitat utilization and their perching frequency increased with bird weight and tarsus length. As a consequence, frequency of habitat use, bird length and tarsus length were important in determining the number of deposited seeds. For seedling recruitment, seedling number increased with bird tarsus length and weight, but decreased with wing length. Overall, our results showed that various bird traits not only affected seed removal, but also influenced the subsequent processes of seed deposition and seedling distribution in a patchy forest. These results thus highlight the importance of large‐bodied birds for plant recruitment and point out the need to prioritize the protection and conservation of these birds in remnant patchy forests.
A focus on the European hamster to illustrate how to monitor endangered species
Authors: KLETTY Florian , TISSIER Mathilde , KOURKGY Charlotte , CAPBER Fabrice , ZAHARIEV Alexandre , CHATELAIN Nicolas , COURTECUISSE Julien , LE MAHO Yvon , HABOLD Caroline 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAgriculture intensification, marked by the generalization of crop monoculture, by the increase in plot size and by the reduction of plant diversity, has led to huge decline in wildlife in European farmlands. In such habitat, research has long been biased towards birds and invertebrates, while very few studies have investigated the effect on small mammals. Considering the European hamster, Cricetus cricetus, we therefore review the different techniques that can be used to investigate the impact of environmental changes and conservation measures in small and endangered wild mammals. We suggest that only a multidisciplinary approach will allow exploration of these effects, combining experimental laboratory work on captive‐bred animals with the monitoring of wild individuals. In particular, individual energy balance has to be investigated and measured as accurately as possible, through either biochemical or bio‐logging techniques. It is, indeed, the most affected physiological trait in a changing environment, as it determines both the reproductive output and the survival of the individual. We also discuss the inconvenience of capture–release approaches for such an endangered species and emphasize the disturbance that experimental protocols could impose on the hamster.
Efficacy of nebulized acetylcysteine for relieving symptoms and reducing usage of expectorants in patients with radiation pneumonitis
Authors: Han Dong‐Woo , Ji Wonjun , Lee Jae Cheol , Song Si Yeol , Choi Chang‐Min 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundRadiation pneumonitis is one of the most harmful and clinically significant complications of radiotherapy. This study investigated the benefits of nebulized acetylcysteine for lung cancer patients diagnosed with radiation pneumonitis after radiotherapy.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled and followed 25 patients with radiation pneumonitis who used nebulized acetylcysteine three times a day for 12 weeks. We also reviewed the medical records of 106 control patients who had undergone radiotherapy for lung cancer but had not used acetylcysteine. We evaluated the effects of nebulized acetylcysteine by comparing visits 1 and 4 among nebulizer users and by comparing the acetylcysteine group with the control group.ResultsTwenty‐five acetylcysteine group patients and 101 control group patients were included in the analyses. The mean patient‐rated severity score associated with sputum production decreased in the acetylcysteine group between visits 1 and 4 (from 1.10 to 0.95; P = 0.08). None of the patients used additional expectorant agents after using nebulized acetylcysteine and critical adverse events were not reported. The acetylcysteine group had a shorter mean duration of expectorant use among patients whose radiation pneumonitis required steroid therapy and covered > 10% of a single lung field on computed tomography (37.2 vs. 78.1 days, respectively; P = 0.07).ConclusionsThe beneficial effects of nebulized acetylcysteine for patients with radiation pneumonitis included relieving sputum severity and minimizing expectorant use, especially in severe cases. Further investigation is required to clarify and expand on the benefits of nebulized acetylcysteine for patients with radiation pneumonitis.
Hypothalamic gene transfer of BDNF promotes healthy aging in mice
Authors: McMurphy Travis , Huang Wei , Liu Xianglan , Siu Jason J. , Queen Nicholas J. , Xiao Run , Cao Lei 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe aging process and age‐related diseases all involve perturbed energy adaption and impaired ability to cope with adversity. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hypothalamus plays important role in regulation of energy balance. Our previous studies show that recombinant adeno‐associated virus (AAV)‐mediated hypothalamic BDNF gene transfer alleviates obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndromes in both diet‐induced and genetic models. Here we examined the efficacy and safety of a built‐in autoregulatory system to control transgene BDNF expression mimicking the body's natural feedback systems in middle‐aged mice. Twelve‐month‐old mice were treated with either autoregulatory BDNF vector or yellow fluorescence protein (YFP) control, maintained on normal diet, and monitored for 28 weeks. BDNF gene transfer prevented the development of aging‐associated metabolic declines characterized by: preventing aging‐associated weight gain, reducing adiposity, reversing the decline of brown fat activity, increasing adiponectin while reducing leptin and insulin in circulation, improving glucose tolerance, increasing energy expenditure, alleviating hepatic steatosis, and suppressing inflammatory genes in the hypothalamus and adipose tissues. Moreover, BDNF treatment reduced anxiety‐like and depression‐like behaviors. These safety and efficacy data provide evidence that hypothalamic BDNF is a target for promoting healthy aging.
Earnings volatility, ambiguity, and crisis‐period stock returns
Authors: Ahmed Anwer S. , McMartin Andrew S. , Safdar Irfan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractFinancial crises are marked by substantial increases in ambiguity where prices appear to decouple from fundamentals. Consistent with ambiguity‐based asset pricing theories, we find that ambiguity concerns are more severe for firms with higher earnings volatility, causing investors to demand a higher ambiguity premium for such firms. While there is no relation between earnings volatility and stock returns under normal conditions, there is a significant negative relation between crisis‐period stock returns and prior earnings volatility. The effect is stronger in firms with low institutional ownership and low analyst following, consistent with ambiguity concerns being greatest amongst firms with unsophisticated investors.
Dermatoscopic findings of penile intraepithelial neoplasia: Bowenoid papulosis, Bowen disease and erythroplasia of Queyrat
Authors: Chan Su‐Lin , Watchorn Richard Edward , Panagou Evangelia , Panou Evdoxia , Ong Eugene LH , Heelan Kara , Haider Aiman , Freeman Alex , Bunker Christopher Barry 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesThe clinical diagnosis of penile intraepithelial neoplasia is challenging. No specific dermoscopic criteria for penile intraepithelial neoplasia have been described in the literature. This study aimed to describe and evaluate the dermoscopic features of penile intraepithelial neoplasia.MethodsClinical and dermoscopic images of 11 patients with histopathologically confirmed penile intraepithelial neoplasia were recorded and evaluated.ResultsThe most frequent dermoscopic features were the presence of structureless areas (100%, structureless pink 72.7%) and vascular structures (81.8%), particularly dotted vessels (72.7%). Other findings included the absence of a pigment network (100%); scale (45.5%); scar‐like areas (45.5%); erosions (27.3%); and pigmentation consisting of brown‐grey dots and globules (27.3%).ConclusionsThe dermoscopic features that characterise penile intraepithelial neoplasia are structureless pink areas and a prominent vascular pattern (mainly clustered dotted vessels). Dermoscopy is a useful tool that can aid in the diagnosis and surveillance of penile intraepithelial neoplasia.