bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geographical variation of body size in sigmodontine rodents depends on both environment and phylogenetic composition of communities
Authors: Maestri Renan , Luza André Luís , de Barros Lurdiana Dayse , Hartz Sandra Maria , Ferrari Augusto , de Freitas Thales Renato Ochotorena , Duarte Leandro D. S. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimBody size variation in animal assemblages is a widely addressed pattern in biogeographical studies, and is affected by both environmental gradients and phylogenetic constraints. However, no study has yet explored to what extent the association between body size variation and environmental gradients across broad spatial scales is influenced by the biogeographical distribution of different phylogenetic lineages. In this study, we discriminate the influences of environmental variables and phylogenetic community composition on body size variation in South American sigmodontine rodents.LocationSouth America.MethodsWe computed the mean body mass of sigmodontine species co‐occurring in 1 × 1° cells across South America. For each cell we recorded mean values for three environmental variables. We characterized the phylogenetic composition of sigmodontine assemblages within each cell using phylogenetic fuzzy‐weighting and principal coordinates of phylogenetic structure (PCPS). We then partitioned out the influence of environmental factors and the phylogenetic community composition on mean body size.ResultsMean body size variation was mostly explained by shared influence of phylogenetic community composition (PCPS) and environmental factors (68%), while exclusive influence ofPCPSwas low (19%), and of environment was even lower (0.47%). Increases in body size were related to increases in annual mean temperature, and the influence of environment on body size was mediated by the distribution of sigmodontine lineages across South America.Main conclusionsEnvironment alone was not sufficient to explain body size variation in sigmodontine assemblages. Rather, environmental gradients interacted with historical processes to determine body size variation in the Neotropical assemblages. These results have implications for the way we think of body size gradients across species assemblages, because any gradient in a trait may be a result of differences in the biogeographical distribution of lineages across space, which should be considered in an explicit context.
Physical barriers and environmental gradients cause spatial and temporal genetic differentiation of an extensive algal bloom
Authors: Godhe Anna , Sjöqvist Conny , Sildever Sirje , Sefbom Josefin , Harðardóttir Sara , Bertos‐Fortis Mireia , Bunse Carina , Gross Susanna , Johansson Emma , Jonsson Per R. , Khandan Saghar , Legrand Catherine , Lips Inga , Lundholm Nina , Rengefors Karin E. , Sassenhagen Ingrid , Suikkanen Sanna , Sundqvist Lisa , Kremp Anke 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimTo test if a phytoplankton bloom is panmictic, or whether geographical and environmental factors cause spatial and temporal genetic structure.LocationBaltic Sea.MethodDuring four cruises, we isolated clonal strains of the diatom Skeletonema marinoi from 9 to 10 stations along a 1132 km transect and analysed the genetic structure using eight microsatellites. Using F‐statistics and Bayesian clustering analysis we determined if samples were significantly differentiated. A seascape approach was applied to examine correlations between gene flow and oceanographic connectivity, and combined partial Mantel test and RDA based variation partitioning to investigate associations with environmental gradients.ResultsThe bloom was initiated during the second half of March in the southern and the northern‐ parts of the transect, and later propagated offshore. By mid‐April the bloom declined in the south, whereas high phytoplankton biomass was recorded northward. We found two significantly differentiated populations along the transect. Genotypes were significantly isolated by distance and by the south–north salinity gradient, which illustrated that the effects of distance and environment were confounded. The gene flow among the sampled stations was significantly correlated with oceanographic connectivity. The depletion of silica during the progression of the bloom was related to a temporal population genetic shift.Main conclusionsA phytoplankton bloom may propagate as a continuous cascade and yet be genetically structured over both spatial and temporal scales. The Baltic Sea spring bloom displayed strong spatial structure driven by oceanographic connectivity and geographical distance, which was enhanced by the pronounced salinity gradient. Temporal transition of conditions important for growth may induce genetic shifts and different phenotypic strategies, which serve to maintain the bloom over longer periods.
Exogenous pulmonary surfactant prevents the development of intra‐abdominal adhesions in rats
Authors: Schanaider Alberto , Cotta‐Pereira Ricardo , Silva Paulo C. , Macedo‐Ramos Hugo , Silva Johnatas D. , Teixeira Pedro A. C. , Pannain Vera L. N. , Rocco Patricia R. M. , Baetas‐da‐Cruz Wagner 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIntra‐abdominal adhesions are major post‐operative complications for which no effective means of prevention is available. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of exogenous pulmonary surfactant administration in the prevention of post‐operative abdominal adhesions. Rats were randomly assigned to undergo laparotomy (L) or gastroenterostomy (GE) and then treated with surfactant (groups L‐S and GE‐S, respectively). Intra‐abdominal adhesions, collagen fibre content, metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9, expression of growth factors (TGF‐β, KGF and VEGF), type III procollagen (PCIII) and pro‐caspase 3, as well as isolectin B4 and ED1‐positive cells expressing MMP‐9, were evaluated. Groups treated with surfactant (GE‐S and L‐S) exhibited fewer adhesions. A significant reduction in collagen fibre content was observed in GE‐S compared to GE animals (P < 0.001). In situ and gelatin zymography analysis showed higher MMP‐9 expression and activity in the GE‐S group compared to the GE group (P < 0.05). ED1‐positive cell counts were significantly higher in the GE‐S group (P < 0.001) than in the GE group. Virtually all cells positive for ED1 were MMP‐9+. Double‐labelling of MMP‐9 with IB4 showed no significant differences between GE‐S and GE groups. TGF‐β, KGF, PCIII and pro‐caspase‐3 mRNA expression decreased significantly in GE‐S compared to GE animals (P < 0.05). Surfactant administration also reduced apoptosis in the GE‐S group. These findings suggest that surfactant reduces the intra‐abdominal adhesions triggered by laparotomy and gastrointestinal anastomosis, thus preventing fibrosis formation at the peritoneal surfaces. This preclinical study suggests an innovative treatment strategy for intra‐abdominal adhesions with surfactant and to endorse its putative mechanism of action.
Rapid aberration measurement with pixelated detectors
Authors: LUPINI A.R. , CHI M. , JESSE S. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryAberration‐corrected microscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope requires the fast and accurate measurement of lens aberrations to align or ‘tune’ the corrector. Here, we demonstrate a method to measure aberrations based on acquiring a 4D data set on a pixelated detector. Our method is compared to existing procedures and the choice of experimental parameters is examined. The accuracy is similar to existing methods, but in principle this procedure can be performed in a few seconds and extended to arbitrary order. This method allows rapid measurement of aberrations and represents a step towards more automated electron microscopy.
Adolescent Life Stress and the Cortisol Awakening Response: The Moderating Roles of Attachment and Sex
Authors: Miller Kelly F. , Margolin Gayla , Shapiro Lauren Spies , Timmons Adela C. 
Published: February 2016

This longitudinal study investigated how past versus current life stresses relate to adolescents' cortisol awakening response (CAR), an index of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal activity. Ninety‐nine adolescents reported previous year life stress at ages 12 and 18. At the second assessment, participants also provided self‐reports of parent and peer attachment and 3 days of cortisol samples. Current stress was associated with heightened CAR for both males and females, whereas past stress was associated with attenuated CAR for males. Attachment to peers buffered the relationship between past stress and attenuated CAR for all adolescents; attachment to parents was a buffer for male adolescents only. Results demonstrate the protective roles of adolescent relationships and highlight sex differences in biopsychosocial development across adolescence.
Performance of rapid diagnostic tests for the detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in whole blood collected on dried blood spots
Authors: Poiteau L. , Soulier A. , Rosa I. , Roudot‐Thoraval F. , Hézode C. , Pawlotsky J.‐M. , Chevaliez S. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryRapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) represent an attractive alternative to enzyme immunoassays. A total of 207 individuals, including 68 HCV‐seronegative subjects, 10 patients with resolved infection and 129 patients with chronic HCV infection, were studied. The specificity of RDT detection of anti‐HCV antibodies in whole blood was 100% with the four RDTs tested: OraQuick® HCV Rapid Antibody Test, First Response HCV Card Test, ASSURE HCV Rapid Test and MultiSure HCV Antibody Assay. Their diagnostic sensitivity varied between 98.6% and 100%. RDT detection of anti‐HCV antibody in whole blood collected on dried blood spots appears to be a promising new tool for broadscale screening of HCV infection in high‐ to medium‐risk populations.
Hepatic expression of proteasome subunit alpha type‐6 is upregulated during viral hepatitis and putatively regulates the expression of ISG15 ubiquitin‐like modifier, a proviral host gene in hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Broering R. , Trippler M. , Werner M. , Real C. I. , Megger D. A. , Bracht T. , Schweinsberg V. , Sitek B. , Eisenacher M. , Meyer H. E. , Baba H. A. , Weber F. , Hoffmann A.‐C. , Gerken G. , Schlaak J. F. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryThe interferon‐stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. ISG15‐regulated proteins have previously been identified that putatively affect this proviral interaction. The present observational study aimed to elucidate the relation between ISG15 and these host factors during HCV infection. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were performed using liver samples of HCV‐infected (n = 54) and uninfected (n = 10) or HBV‐infected controls (n = 23). Primary human hepatocytes (PHH) were treated with Toll‐like receptor ligands, interferons and kinase inhibitors. Expression of ISG15 and proteasome subunit alpha type‐6 (PSMA6) was suppressed in subgenomic HCV replicon cell lines using specific siRNAs. Comparison of hepatic expression patterns revealed significantly increased signals for ISG15, IFIT1, HNRNPK and PSMA6 on the protein level as well as ISG15, IFIT1 and PSMA6 on the mRNA level in HCV‐infected patients. In contrast to interferon‐stimulated genes, PSMA6 expression occurred independent of HCV load and genotype. In PHH, the expression of ISG15 and PSMA6 was distinctly induced by poly(I:C), depending on IRF3 activation or PI3K/AKT signalling, respectively. Suppression of PSMA6 in HCV replicon cells led to significant induction of ISG15 expression, thus combined knock‐down of both genes abrogated the antiviral effect induced by the separate suppression of ISG15. These data indicate that hepatic expression of PSMA6, which is upregulated during viral hepatitis, likely depends on TLR3 activation. PSMA6 affects the expression of immunoregulatory ISG15, a proviral factor in the pathogenesis of HCV infection. Therefore, the proteasome might be involved in the enigmatic interaction between ISG15 and HCV.
Natural killer cells in highly exposed hepatitis C‐seronegative injecting drug users
Authors: Mina M. M. , Cameron B. , Luciani F. , Vollmer‐Conna U. , Lloyd A. R. ,   the HITS‐p investigators
Published: February 2016

SummaryInjecting drug use remains the major risk factor for hepatitis C (HCV) transmission. A minority of long‐term injecting drug users remain seronegative and aviraemic, despite prolonged exposure to HCV – termed highly exposed seronegative subjects. Natural killer (NK) cells have been implicated in this apparent protection. A longitudinal nested, three group case–control series of subjects was selected from a prospective cohort of seronegative injecting drug users who became incident cases (n = 11), remained seronegative (n = 11) or reported transient high‐risk behaviour and remained uninfected (n = 11). The groups were matched by age, sex and initial risk behaviour characteristics. Stored peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assayed in multicolour flow cytometry to enumerate natural killer cell subpopulations and to assess functional activity using Toll‐like receptor ligands before measurement of activation, cytokine production and natural cytotoxicity receptor expression. Principal components were derived to describe the detailed phenotypic characteristics of the major NK subpopulations (based on CD56 and CD16 co‐expression), before logistic regression analysis to identify associations with exposed, seronegative individuals. The CD56dimCD16+ (P = 0.05, OR 6.92) and CD56dimCD16− (P = 0.05, OR 6.07) principal components differed between exposed, seronegative individuals and pre‐infection samples of the other two groups. These included CD56dimCD16+ and CD56dimCD16− subsets with CD56dimCD16+ IFN‐γ and TNF‐α on unstimulated cells, and CD56dimCD16− CD69+, CD107a+, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α following TLR stimulation. The cytotoxic CD56dim NK subset thus distinguished highly exposed, seronegative subjects, suggesting NK cytotoxicity may contribute to protection from HCV acquisition. Further investigation of the determinants of this association and prospective assessment of protection against HCV infection are warranted.
The role of distance and habitat specificity in bryophyte and perennial seed plant metacommunities in arid scrubland fragments
Authors: Granzow‐de la Cerda Íñigo , Arellano Gabriel , Brugués Montserrat , Solà‐López Albert 
Published: February 2016

AbstractQuestionsWhat are the relative roles of (1) environmental niche partitioning (especially along soil chemistry gradients), (2) effective dispersal, and (3) landscape characteristics in structuring species assemblies of bryophyte and seed plant metacommunities?LocationEbro river basin, NE Spain.MethodsWe sampled biological soil crust (BSC) bryophytes and perennial seed plants from 54 plots in ten fragments of native vegetation from two contiguous landscapes with contrasting agricultural matrix types. Each plot was characterized with respect to soil electrical conductivity (EC, a proxy for presence of gypsum and halite), pH, vegetation cover and aspect. We used unconstrained ordinations to find the main floristic gradients and evaluated their relationship with environmental variables using Kendall correlations. We studied the spatial structure of floristic dissimilarities for bryophyte and seed plant communities by using multiple regression models on distance matrices (MRM), and individual species' responses by estimating species' densities along environmental gradients. We estimated effective isolation between plots within landscapes by means of partial MRM.ResultsWe found 60 bryophyte and 57 seed plant species. Compositional dissimilarities were spatially structured. DCA showed clear floristic segregation of the two landscapes. The soil EC gradient was the main variable explaining compositional variation in both plant metacommunities, followed by soil pH. The effect of geographic distance between plots differed significantly between landscapes and matrix types, and was larger for seed plants than for bryophytes.ConclusionsOnly a handful of BSC bryophyte species can be regarded as either true gypsofuges or true gypsophiles. Gypsophilous bryophytes are fewer and less strongly associated with gypsum‐rich sites than co‐existing perennial seed plants. Overall, BSC bryophyte communities vary less over similar distances than corresponding seed plant communities, most likely due to higher dispersal ability. We argue that the topographically complex landscape of a less modified agricultural matrix imposes more ‘friction’ to bryophyte dispersal than a smoother landscape with a more intensely human‐modified matrix. Effective conservation of fragmented arid agricultural landscapes must take into account the sensitivity of the biota to fragment intrinsic conditions, the properties and the management practices that shaped the landscape.
The Role of Inhibitory Control in Second Language Phonological Processing
Authors: Darcy Isabelle , Mora Joan C. , Daidone Danielle 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis study investigated the role of inhibition in second language (L2) learners’ phonological processing. Participants were Spanish learners of L2 English and American learners of L2 Spanish. We measured inhibition through a retrieval‐induced inhibition task. Accuracy of phonological representations (perception and production) was assessed through a speeded ABX categorization task and a delayed sentence repetition task. We used a measure of L2 vocabulary size to tease out L2 proficiency effects. Higher inhibitory control was related to lower error rate in segmental perception. Inhibition was also related to consonant but not to vowel production accuracy. These results suggest a potential role for inhibition in L2 phonological acquisition, with inhibition enhancing the processing of phonologically relevant acoustic information in the L2 input, which in turn might lead to more accurate L2 phonological representations.Open PracticesThis article has been awarded an Open Materials badge. All materials are publicly accessible in the IRIS digital repository at http://www.iris‐database.org. Learnmore about the Open Practices badges from the Center for Open Science:https://osf.io/tvyxz/wiki
Gait analysis of patients with Parkinson's disease using a portable triaxial accelerometer
Authors: Okuda Shiho , Takano Shin , Ueno Masao , Hara Yoshiaki , Chida Yasushi , Ikkaku Tomoko , Kanda Fumio , Toda Tatsushi 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundGait disturbance is a major problem for Parkinson's disease patients.AimWe examined the nature of parkinsonian gait using a triaxial accelerometer, and elucidated differences as compared with healthy adults.MethodsA total of 16 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, 14 healthy young adults and 10 healthy older adults took part in the study. The accelerometer was placed at the level of the L4 spinous process and the participants were instructed to walk along a 30‐m horizontal walkway. Gait speed and acceleration were analyzed on the middle 10 m. Acceleration data were obtained by using the root mean square of acceleration in three directions as the mean acceleration value.ResultsGait speed and mean acceleration had a high correlation in healthy young and older adults, but not in the Parkinson's disease patients. Gait speed in the Parkinson's disease patients was significantly slower than that in the healthy older adults (P < 0.05). Evaluations of each component of acceleration showed that the mediolateral component in the patients was significantly high as compared with that in the healthy older adults (P < 0.05), although the vertical and anteroposterior components were not different between the Parkinson's disease patients and healthy adults.ConclusionsGait speed in Parkinson's disease patients is significantly slower than that in healthy older adults. Furthermore, it is suggested that gait in Parkinson's disease patients swings in a more bilateral manner as compared with the gait in normal controls.
Analysis of non‐parkinsonian tremor with complicated pathophysiology viewed from brain activities monitored during thalamotomy
Authors: Narabayashi Yohsuke , Oshima Tomokazu 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundIn the procedure of thalamotomy, we mark the targets by thalamic 13−27‐Hz β‐band and 3−7‐Hz τ‐range hyperactivities as representing parkinsonian rigidity and tremor, respectively.AimWe tested the validity of these thalamic markers in surgically treated non‐parkinsonian patients with tremor of complicated pathophysiology.MethodsAs the cases with tremor, but no thalamic τ‐range hyperactivities, we selected four of the 23 previously studied non‐parkinsonian patients; examined the shoulder, neck, face and limb electromyograms, brain local field potentials, and multiple unit spikes; and rated the local field potentials in the bands of 3–7, 7–13, 13–27 and 27–80 Hz.ResultsTremor rated as moderate in the present study was postural, kinetic, intentional, ballistic, or myoclonic, or of some combined nature with irregular rhythms at variable frequencies widely ranging in 1–13 Hz. Tremor accompanied motor hyperactivities and thalamic β‐band hyperactivities, but not τ‐range activities. The β‐band hyperactivities and high neural noise occurred in the caudate nucleus, thalamic ventroanterior nucleus, nucleus ventralis lateralis and nucleus ventralis intermedius. The thalamic β‐band hyperactivities were not accompanied by rigidity in three of the patients. The four patients were thus atypical when compared with the other non‐parkinsonian and parkinsonian patients. Yet, thalamotomy alleviated tremor and concurrent motor hyperactivities.ConclusionNon‐parkinsonian tremor in the four patients was related to β‐band hyperactivities, and elevating neural noise in wide regions of the basal ganglia and thalamus. Thalamotomy was effective by eventually abolishing ventralis lateralis with β‐band hyperactivities and high noise that was involved as a part of the widely distributed pathophysiology of these patients.
Comparison of instructor‐led versus peer‐led debriefing in nursing students
Authors: Roh Young Sook , Kelly Michelle , Ha Eun Ho 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDespite its widespread support, the most effective simulation‐based debriefing method has little evidence to support its efficacy. In this study, we compared the effect of peer‐led and instructor‐led debriefing among nursing students. The study was conducted with a non‐equivalent control group using a pretest–post‐test design. A convenience sample of third‐year nursing students was used for the study, where 65 students enrolled in a 2‐week clinical placement rotation were randomly assigned to the instructor‐led group or peer‐led group. The quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills, satisfaction with simulation, and quality of debriefing in the peer‐led group were compared to those in the instructor‐led group. Group differences at each testing interval were analyzed using independent t‐test. Nursing students in the instructor‐led debriefing group showed better subsequent cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance, more satisfaction with simulation experience, and higher debriefing scores compared to the peer‐led group. From our study, instructor‐led debriefing is an effective method in improving skills performance, inducing favorable satisfaction, and providing better quality of debriefing among nursing students.