bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The importance of core habitat for a threatened species in changing landscapes
Authors: Herse Mark R. , With Kimberly A. , Boyle W. Alice 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Habitat loss, fragmentation, and alteration of the landscape matrix are interdependent processes, collectively responsible for most recent species extinctions. Thus, determining the extent to which these landscape processes affect animals is critical for conservation. However, researchers have often assumed that interdependent effects are independently related to animals’ responses, underestimating the importance of one or several landscape processes in driving species declines.

We demonstrate how to disentangle the interdependent effects of habitat amount, fragmentation, and edge context on population size by assessing abundance of a rapidly declining grassland songbird species (grasshopper sparrow Ammodramus savannarum) in eastern Kansas (USA). We conducted >7,000 point count surveys at >2,000 sites over two breeding seasons, then modelled the direct, interactive, and indirect effects of landscape factors on abundance within spatial scales (200‐, 400‐, 800‐, and 1,600‐m radii) relevant to our focal species’ dispersal behaviour.

Sparrow abundance correlated most strongly with landscape structure within 400‐m radii, increasing nonlinearly with grassland area and decreasing with the proportion of grassland near cropland or woody edges. Sparrows’ negative response to cropland edges was mostly an added, indirect consequence of reduced grassland area, whereas sparrows’ stronger negative response to woody edges was not attributable to variation in grassland area. Fragmentation and edge context mattered most in landscapes comprising c. 50%–80% grassland.

Synthesis and applications. In our research, abundance of a threatened grassland songbird was influenced more by core grassland area (a function of total grassland area, fragmentation, and edge context) than total grassland area per se. Moreover, a local extinction threshold of c. 50% grassland indicated that small amounts of habitat were unsuitable for our focal species regardless of habitat configuration or matrix type. Local extinction thresholds in response to habitat area provide clear baseline targets for land managers; above those thresholds, configuration and the matrix can be modified to increase abundance of edge‐sensitive animals. Conflicting evidence in the literature regarding the importance of fragmentation and matrix features could be partially explained by species‐level traits, or methodological issues such as defining landscapes at ecologically arbitrary spatial scales, assessing landscape quality using species richness, and ignoring interactive and indirect effects.
Bilateral Asymmetry of Nutrient Foramen Position in Forearm Bones: Implications for its Use in Sorting Commingled Remains
Authors: Vehit Uyum , Christensen Angi M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractCommingling is frequently encountered in cases examined by the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, and pair‐matching is routinely used as a preliminary segregation method. Here we examine the degree of bilateral asymmetry in nutrient foramen position of the radius and ulna to determine whether nutrient foramen position may be useful in visual and/or ostetometric pair‐matching. Differences in nutrient foramen position between left‐right pairs from the same individual were compared with differences in nutrient foramen position between different individuals. Bilateral asymmetry in nutrient foramen position was found to be high, indicating that it is not a reliable trait for pair‐matching. Bilateral asymmetry and between‐person variation were found to differ between the two bones examined, suggesting that nutrient foramen position in other long bones should also be tested.
Identification of a large SNP dataset in Larimichthys crocea using specific‐locus amplified fragment sequencing
Authors: Chen Y. , Wang Y. , Jiang S. , Zhang J. , Lü Z. , Deng S. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe large yellow croaker, Larimichthys crocea, is a commercially important drum fish (Family: Sciaenidae) native to the East and South China Sea. Habitat deterioration and overfishing have led to significant population decline and the collapse of its fishery over the past decades. Today, the market supply of L. crocea depends solely on stocks produced in hatcheries and farms. Common issues that occur in the culture of L. crocea include germplasm degradation, precocious puberty, elevated disease susceptibility and growth retardation. In this study, we employed SLAF‐seq (specific‐locus amplified fragment sequencing) technology to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci across the L. crocea genome. Sixty samples were selected for SLAF analysis out of 1000 progeny in the same cohort of a cultured stock. Our analysis obtained a total of 151 253 SLAFs, of which 65.88% (99 652) were identified to be polymorphic, scoring a total of 710 567 putative SNPs. Further filtration resulted in a final panel of 1782 SNP loci. The data derived from this work could be beneficial for understanding the genetics of complex phenotypic traits as well as for developing marker‐selection‐assisted breeding programs in L. crocea.
Omalizumab normalizes the gene expression signature of lesional skin in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Metz Martin , Torene Rebecca , Kaiser Sergio , Beste Michael T. , Staubach Petra , Bauer Andrea , Brehler Randolf , Gericke Janine , Letzkus Martin , Hartmann Nicole , Erpenbeck Veit J. , Maurer Marcus 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundOmalizumab, a humanized recombinant monoclonal anti‐IgE antibody, proved to be effective in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), including severe and treatment‐refractory CSU. Here, we report omalizumab's effect on gene expression in skin biopsies from CSU patients enrolled in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study.MethodsChronic spontaneous urticaria patients (18‐75 years) were randomized to either 300 mg omalizumab (n = 20) or placebo (n = 10) administered s.c. every 4 weeks for 12 weeks (NCT01599637). Lesional and nonlesional skin biopsies were collected from the same area of consenting patients and assessed at baseline and on Day 85 compared with skin biopsies from the same area of 10 untreated healthy volunteers (HVs). Gene expression data were generated using Affymetrix HG‐U133Plus2.0 microarrays. Statistical analyses were performed using R packages.ResultsAt baseline, 63 transcripts were differentially expressed between lesional and nonlesional skin. Two‐thirds of these lesional signatures were also differentially expressed between lesional and HV skin. Upon treatment with omalizumab, >75% of lesional signatures changed to reflect nonlesional skin expression levels (different vs placebo, P < 0.01). Transcripts upregulated in lesional skin (vs nonlesional and/or HV skin) suggested increased mast cell/leukocyte infiltration (FCER1G, C3AR1, CD93, S100A8, and S100A9), increased oxidative stress, vascularization (CYR61), and skin repair events (KRT6A, KRT16). Lesional signatures were not modulated by treatment in nonresponders (defined based on UAS7 longitudinal changes ≥16).ConclusionOmalizumab, in treatment responders, reverted transcriptional signatures associated with CSU lesion phenotype to reflect nonlesional/HV expression levels; this is consistent with observed omalizumab‐mediated clinical improvement observed in patients with CSU.
Examining the Canada–China agri‐food trade relationship: Firms, trading partners, and trading volumes
Authors: Xie Chaoping , Gao Jianfeng , Grant Jason H. , Anders Sven 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe “new‐new” trade theory has dramatically shifted the focus of international economics research to heterogeneous firms and the margins by which firms participate in international trade. However, few studies have examined the dynamics of agricultural trade at the firm level. This paper employs China Customs data comprising the universe of Chinese firm‐level agricultural import transactions over the period 2000–2009 and develops an empirical strategy to decompose the growth of Chinese agri‐food imports of its four major suppliers, Canada, the United States, Brazil, and Argentina. Our findings reveal that China's growth in agricultural imports is highly concentrated among a small group of firms, where the top 10% of Chinese agricultural importers account for nearly 90% of its agricultural imports. We also find evidence of a significant turn‐over of importers of agri‐food products. Over 40% of new firms entering China's agricultural import market during our sample exited after just 1.7 years. Finally, decomposing import growth patterns for Canada and its competing suppliers reveals significant differences in the intensive and extensive margins of trade that hold important implications for trade policies aimed at enhancing Canada's position as a major agri‐food supplier in the Chinese market.
Effects of the interaction between glycated haemoglobin genetic risk score and postpartum weight reduction on glycaemic changes: A gene–weight interaction analysis
Authors: Han Liyuan , Duan Donghui , Zhang Shuang , Li Weiqin , Wang Leishen , Liu Huikun , Leng Junhong , Li Nan , Shang Xiaoyun , Hu Gang , Qi Lu 
Published: July 2018

AimTo investigate the effects of the interaction between glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) genetic risk score and weight changes during and after pregnancy (postpartum weight reduction and gestational weight gain) on long‐term glycaemic changes in the largest cohort of women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort using the baseline data from the Tianjin Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Programme. A genetic risk score was established by combining 10 HbA1c‐related single‐nucleotide polymorphisms, which were identified by genome‐wide association studies. General linear regression models were applied to evaluate the effect of interaction between HbA1c genetic risk score and weight changes during and after pregnancy (postpartum weight reduction and gestational weight gain) on glycaemic changes.Results'A total of 1156 women with a history of GDM were included in this respective cohort study. Statistical differences in pre‐pregnancy weight, pre‐delivery weight and postpartum weight were evidenced across different groups of postpartum weight reduction. After adjusting for covariates, statistical significance for changes in HbA1c level was only observed in the postpartum weight reduction <5 kg/y group (P = 0.002), and a significant effect of interaction between HbA1c genetic risk score and postpartum weight reduction on long‐term changes in HbA1c was evidenced (P interaction = 0.01). In women with postpartum weight reduction ≥8 kg/y, those with a lower HbA1c genetic risk score had a greater decrease in HbA1c level.ConclusionsHbA1c genetic risk score interacts with postpartum weight reduction to affect long‐term changes in HbA1c levels among women with a history of GDM.
Preference–performance in a specialist sawfly on congeneric host plants
Authors: Altesor Paula , González Andrés 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn herbivorous insects, the preference–performance hypothesis predicts that females will choose to oviposit on plants that maximize offspring development. Although there is evidence to support this hypothesis, several studies have shown that it does not always apply. Among the factors that may modulate the preference–performance relationship, diet breadth is a significant one, although no correlation has been found for monophagous insects. More case studies are needed, as more restricted diets are expected to require better discrimination ability. In this study, we explored the preference–performance linkage in a monophagous sawfly, Tequus schrottkyi (Konow) (Hymenoptera: Pergidae), which feeds as larva on the wild potato Solanum commersonii Dunal (Solanaceae). We used the cultivated potato, Solanum tuberosum L., as an alternative host plant for our experiments. Performance was evaluated from newly emerged larvae until adult emergence, raising individual larvae on potted plants or excised leaves. Female oviposition preference was studied in two‐choice bioassays, in which individual females were offered whole plants of S. commersonii and S. tuberosum. The nutritional quality of the plants was assessed by measuring protein, non‐structural carbohydrate, and water contents. The offspring performed better on their host plant, S. commersonii, resulting in more larvae completing their development to the adult stage. Moreover, the larvae developed faster and their cocoon weighed more when they were raised on their host plant. The females oviposited almost exclusively on S. commersonii, regardless of their previous food plant. The protein and non‐structural carbohydrate contents did not differ between the plants, whereas water content was higher in the non‐preferred S. tuberosum. The differences in water content and in secondary metabolites, which have been analyzed in a previous study, may play a role in female preference and offspring performance. The results are discussed within the framework of the preference–performance hypothesis and the chemical ecology of insect–plant interactions.
Deep Disagreement, the Dark Enlightenment, and the Rhetoric of the Red Pill
Authors: Aikin Scott F. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDeep disagreements are disagreements wherein the dialectical conditions for fruitful argumentative exchange do not obtain. One view from within these disagreements is that the other side has been duped or is so deeply ignorant of and complacent with some illusion, there is no hope for exchange. The Dark Enlightenment's critique of liberal democracy and progressive politics (which gave rise to the alt‐right movement) proceeds on this premise, calling their critical philosophy ‘the red pill’ and terming the opposition's program ‘the Cathedral’. Despite the depth of their disagreement with progressives, there is evidence for an optimistic program of critical dialogue in this instance of deep disagreement.
Dysregulated circRNAs in plasma from active tuberculosis patients
Authors: Yi Zhengjun , Gao Kunshan , Li Ruifang , Fu Yurong 
Published: July 2018

AbstractEndogenous circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported in various diseases. However, their role in active TB remains unknown. The study was aimed to determine plasma circRNA expression profile to characterize potential biomarker and improve our understanding of active TB pathogenesis. CircRNA expression profiles were screened by circRNA microarrays in active TB plasma samples. Dysregulated circRNAs were then verified by qRT‐PCR. CircRNA targets were predicted based on analysis of circRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA interaction. GO and KEGG pathway analyses were used to predict the function of circRNA. ROC curve was calculated to evaluate diagnostic value for active TB. A total of 75 circRNAs were significantly dysregulated in active TB plasma. By further validation, hsa_circRNA_103571 exhibited significant decrease in active TB patients and showed potential interaction with active TB‐related miRNAs such as miR‐29a and miR‐16. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that hsa_circRNA_103571 was primarily involved in ras signalling pathway, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, T‐ and B‐cell receptor signalling pathway. ROC curve analysis suggested that hsa_circRNA_103571 had significant value for active TB diagnosis. Circulating circRNA dysregulation may play a role in active TB pathogenesis. Hsa_circRNA_103571 may be served as a potential biomarker for active TB diagnosis, and hsa_circRNA_103571‐miRNA‐mRNA interaction may provide some novel mechanism for active TB.
Periodontal disease and susceptibility to breast cancer: A meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Shi Tingting , Min Min , Sun Chenyu , Zhang Yun , Liang Mingming , Sun Yehuan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectiveWhile some individual studies have suggested an association between periodontal disease and breast cancer, there has not been a formal meta‐analysis that collates the existing evidence supporting the hypothesis that periodontal disease leads to a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Accordingly, this meta‐analysis was conducted.MethodsRelevant studies published until April 2018 were retrieved and were screened according to established inclusion criteria. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between periodontal disease and the risk of breast cancer and fixed effect models were used according to the results of the heterogeneity test.ResultsEight studies, involving 168,111 individuals, were identified as having explored the association between periodontal disease and breast cancer. Summary estimates in view of adjusted data showed that periodontal disease did increase susceptibility to breast cancer (RR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.11–1.26, I2 = 17.6%), with robust results confirmed by sensitivity analysis.ConclusionOur results provided evidence of a modest positive association between periodontal disease and breast cancer. Implementation of practical measures to prevent and treat periodontal disease is of great public health significance. Moreover, additional studies are recommended to explore this topic in more detail.
Zeylenone inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cells via Janus kinase 2 / signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 pathways
Authors: Xu Xiaoli , Shi Junyu , Gao Hongyan , Li Qin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimOvarian cancer is the fifth common cancer in females. The aim of our study was to determine function of Zeylenone on cell viability and apoptosis of ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells.MethodsCell viability was measured by Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK8) assay; Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein levels of related factors were determined by Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and Western blot, respectively.ResultsCell viability was decreased by Zeylenone in a dose‐dependent manner. Zeylenone with concentrations of 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/L was used to treat ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells for 24 h in the following study. The loss of MMP and apoptosis were both significantly increased by Zeylenone. The mRNA and protein levels of cytochrome c (cyto c) and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) in cytosol were increased by Zeylenone. The mRNA and protein levels of Caspase‐3, Fas, Fasl and Bax were increased; while the expression of Bcl‐2 was decreased by Zeylenone. The expression of (Janus family of tyrosine kinase) p‐JAK and signal transducer and activator of transcription (p‐STAT) was decreased significantly by Zeylenone.ConclusionZeylenone inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cells. The JAK–STAT pathway was involved in this progress.
Recurrence after fertility‐preserving surgery for low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma
Authors: Chin Tzu‐Hsuan , Lin Gigin , Wu Ren‐Chin , Lai Chyong‐Huey 
Published: July 2018

AbstractConsidering the characteristics of low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS), such as relative indolent course, younger age at diagnosis and favorable prognosis, the fertility‐preserving management of low‐grade ESS has been described by several authors. We report a 34‐year‐old female with stage IB low‐grade ESS who developed recurrence 7 years after neoadjuvant high‐dose progestin therapy followed by fertility‐preserving surgery and postoperative progestin therapy. The patient stopped progestin therapy and was disease free for 4 years after diagnosis but experienced recurrence with peritoneal dissemination at 7 years. Considering the tendency of late recurrence, long‐term surveillance is necessary to ensure timely action. Long‐term progestin treatment might be considered after complete remission even beyond 5 years. We performed a literature review and found that many of the cases did not meet solid pathological criteria of low‐grade ESS. The diagnostic criteria of low‐grade ESS (vs endometrial stromal nodule) should be deliberately documented for future studies of this rare disease.
Early medical abortion with self‐administered low‐dose mifepristone in combination with misoprostol
Authors: Song Li‐Ping , Tang Shi‐Yan , Li Cui‐Lan , Zhou Lee‐Jaden‐Gil‐Yu‐Kang , Mo Xue‐Tang 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of low‐dose mifepristone combined with self‐administered misoprostol for termination of early pregnancy.MethodsA total of 533 women seeking medical abortion in early pregnancy (≤49 days since the last menstrual period) were divided randomly into hospital‐ (H‐Mis, 250) and self‐ (S‐Mis, 283) administered misoprostol groups. Women in two groups took 100 mg of oral mifepristone in hospital followed by 200 μg of sublingual misoprostol 24 h later in hospital or home. The primary outcome parameter was complete abortion without surgical intervention. Secondary outcomes were uterine bleeding, return of regular menses, side effects and patient acceptability.ResultsHigh rates of complete abortion were observed for both the H‐Mis group (243/250; 94.8%) and the S‐Mis group (266/283; 94.0%). No significant differences in outcomes (complete abortion/failure rates) or side effects were observed between the two groups. General satisfaction rates were similar for the two groups (H‐Mis, 231/250, 92.4%; S‐Mis, 263/283, 92.9%; P > 0.05). Higher convenience of administration (H‐Mis, 211/250, 84.4%; S‐Mis, 270/283, 95.4%; P < 0.05) and privacy protection (H‐Mis, 214/250, 85.6%; S‐Mis, 267/283, 94.3%; P < 0.05) satisfaction rates were obtained for the S‐Mis group than for the H‐Mis group.ConclusionSelf‐administered sublingual misoprostol is as safe and effective as hospital‐administered misoprostol following low‐dose mifepristone to terminate early pregnancy (≤49 days of amenorrhoea) with fewer side effects.
Pregnancy in liver transplant recipients: A single center outcomes
Authors: Turkyilmaz Gurcan , Yasa Cenk , Dural Ozlem , Erturk Emircan , Kalelioglu İbrahim , Has Recep , Yuksel Atil 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimLiver transplantation (LT) is the only effective treatment for the end‐stage liver disease. Although pregnancy after LT is considered to be safe, these patients are difficult to manage for obstetricians. In this study, we aimed to determine maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancies after LT.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of liver transplant recipients who had received prenatal care and delivered pregnancy at İstanbul University İstanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology January 2010 and January 2017.ResultsA total of eight pregnancies were identified during the study period. The mean age of the patients at the time of LT was 25.6 ± 5.3 years (range 19–36 years), and the mean age at conception was 30.1 ± 5.2 years (range 25–41 years). The mean interval between transplantation and conception was 54.2 ± 18.6 months (range 24–82 months). There was no a miscarriage or a stillbirth was observed in any of patients. Mean birth week was 37.2 ± 2.1 weeks and mean birthweight was 2852 ± 562 g (range 2150–3470 g). Three of eight deliveries (37.5%) occurred before 37 gestational weeks. Preeclampsia was detected in one patient, one pregnancy was complicated by intrauterine growth retardation and one case with gestational diabetes mellitus. Mean postnatal follow‐up period was 3.2 ± 2.4 years (range 1–7 years) and all of the babies were healthy. Graft rejection occurred in one patient after delivery.ConclusionMore favorable pregnancy outcomes can be achieved with a multidisciplinary team and satisfactory counseling is mandatory either preconception and through the pregnancy to reduce maternal‐fetal risks.