bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health Systems Research in a Complex and Rapidly Changing Context: Ethical Implications of Major Health Systems Change at Scale
Authors: MacGregor Hayley , Bloom Gerald 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis paper discusses health policy and systems research in complex and rapidly changing contexts. It focuses on ethical issues at stake for researchers working with government policy makers to provide evidence to inform major health systems change at scale, particularly when the dynamic nature of the context and ongoing challenges to the health system can result in unpredictable outcomes. We focus on situations where ‘country ownership’ of HSR is relatively well established and where there is significant involvement of local researchers and close ties and relationships with policy makers are often present. We frame our discussion around two country case studies with which we are familiar, namely China and South Africa and discuss the implications for conducting ‘embedded’ research. We suggest that reflexivity is an important concept for health system researchers who need to think carefully about positionality and their normative stance and to use such reflection to ensure that they can negotiate to retain autonomy, whilst also contributing evidence for health system change. A research process informed by the notion of reflexive practice and iterative learning will require a longitudinal review at key points in the research timeline. Such review should include the convening of a deliberative process and should involve a range of stakeholders, including those most likely to be affected by the intended and unintended consequences of change.
Eutypella canker of maple: first report from Germany and situation in Austria
Authors: Cech T. L. , Schwanda K. , Klosterhuber M. , Straßer L. , Kirisits T. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryEutypella canker of maple, caused by Eutypella parasitica (which is native to North America), is reported for the first time from Germany. From 2013 to 2015, this perennial canker disease was recorded on 105 maple trees in Munich. Six maple species were affected: Acer pseudoplatanus, A. campestre, A. platanoides, A. cappadocicum, A. heldreichii ssp. trautvetteri and A. hyrcanum. Occurrence on the latter three species represents new host records for E. parasitica. In Austria, Eutypella canker was newly discovered on two trees at a second locality in 2011, and it is now known to occur on seven A. pseudoplatanus trees at two localities, which are separated nearly 150 km. A. pseudoplatanus was the most frequent host of E. parasitica in Munich and Austria, which is in agreement with previous studies in Europe. The identity of the causative pathogen as E. parasitica was verified by ITS rDNA sequencing of fungal cultures obtained from cankers in Munich and at both Austrian localities. The presence of large and old cankers in both countries suggests that introduction of E. parasitica dates back a long time, probably several decades. The new records of Eutypella canker in Germany and Austria show that the disease is more widely distributed in central Europe than previously recognized.
A new record of Rhizoctonia butinii associated with Picea glauca ‘Conica’ in Slovenia
Authors: Hauptman T. , Piškur B. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryIn 2013, the death of needles of dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) seedlings was observed in an arboretum in Slovenia. Needles on infected P. glauca ‘Conica’ twigs were covered with thick, yellowish brown hyphal cushions. The outgrowing mycelium was white and had completely overgrown some needles and connected them to each other. To definitively identify the fungus affecting P. glauca ‘Conica’, morphological examinations of isolated pure cultures were performed, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA was sequenced. Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses together with the performed pathogenicity trial, we identified the causal agent of the observed symptoms as Rhizoctonia butinii – a recently described species. This report connects this fungus to a new locality and a new host plant.
Fitness correlates of crop transgene flow into weedy populations: a case study of weedy rice in China and other examples
Authors: Lu Bao‐Rong , Yang Xiao , Ellstrand Norman C. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWhether transgene flow from crops to cross‐compatible weedy relatives will result in negative environmental consequences has been the topic of discussion for decades. An important component of environmental risk assessment depends on whether an introgressed transgene is associated with a fitness change in weedy populations. Several crop‐weed pairs have received experimental attention. Perhaps, the most worrisome example is transgene flow from genetically engineered cultivated rice, a staple for billions globally, to its conspecific weed, weedy rice. China's cultivated/weedy rice system is one of the best experimentally studied systems under field conditions for assessing how the presence of transgenes alters the weed's fitness and the likely impacts of that fitness change. Here, we present the cultivated/weedy rice system as a case study on the consequences of introgressed transgenes in unmanaged populations. The experimental work on this system reveals considerable variation in fitness outcomes ‐ increased, decreased, and none ‐ based on the transgenic trait, its introgressed genomic background, and the environment. A review of similar research from a sample of other crop‐wild pairs suggests such variation is the rule. We conclude such variation in fitness correlates supports the case‐by‐case method of biosafety regulation is sound.
The involvement of clathrin‐mediated endocytosis and two Sid‐1‐like transmembrane proteins in double‐stranded RNA uptake in the Colorado potato beetle midgut
Authors: Cappelle K. , de Oliveira C. F. R. , Van Eynde B. , Christiaens O. , Smagghe G. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractRNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool in entomology and shows promise as a crop protection strategy, but variability in its efficiency across different insect species limits its applicability. For oral uptake of the double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA), the RNAi trigger, two different mechanisms are known: systemic RNA interference deficient‐1 (Sid‐1) transmembrane channel‐mediated uptake and clathrin‐mediated endocytosis. So far, a wide range of experiments has been conducted, confirming the involvement of one of the pathways in dsRNA uptake, but never both pathways in the same species. We investigated the role of both pathways in dsRNA uptake in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, known to have an efficient RNAi response. Through RNAi‐of‐RNAi experiments, we demonstrated the contribution of two different sid‐1‐like (sil) genes, silA and silC, and clathrin heavy chain and the 16kDa subunit of the vacuolar H+ ATPase (vha16), elements of the endocytic pathway, to the RNAi response. Furthermore, the sid‐1‐like genes were examined through phylogenetic and hydrophobicity analysis. This article reports for the first time on the involvement of two pathways in dsRNA uptake in an insect species and stresses the importance of evaluating both pathways through a well‐devised reporter system in any future experiments on cellular dsRNA uptake.
A qualitative study of the barriers and enablers to fertility‐awareness education in general practice
Authors: Hampton Kerry D. , Newton Jennifer M. , Parker Rhian , Mazza Danielle 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimsTo understand the barriers and enablers to fertility‐awareness education in general practice.BackgroundMost women along with their primary care practitioners – general practitioners and practice nurses – believe that women should be educated about fertility‐awareness when first reporting trouble conceiving. To date, no in‐depth study has examined the enablers and challenges of this type of education in general practice.DesignA descriptive exploratory qualitative study using deductive content analysis.MethodsGeneral practitioners (N = 11) and practice nurses (N = 20) were recruited from general practices in three socioculturally diverse areas in Victoria, Australia. Data were collected through semistructured interviews based on the 12 domains of a theoretical behaviour change framework from April–August 2012. The participants' responses were organized into themes that fall under the framework domains.FindingsThe biggest barriers to fertility‐awareness education in general practice were short consultations and time constraints faced by general practitioners together with a lack of patient educational materials and remuneration to support its delivery. The biggest enablers were a greater use of nurses trained in fertility‐awareness in a collaborative team care arrangement with general practitioners.ConclusionThis study has identified several important barriers and enablers to fertility‐awareness education in general practice. Translation into practice of our findings is imperative as the first step in establishing a primary care model in fertility‐awareness. This would fill an important gap in the primary care of infertile women and build capacity in general practice to reduce infertility through women's enhanced fertility knowledge.
Actinic keratosis: correlation between clinical and histological classification systems
Authors: Schmitz L. , Kahl P. , Majores M. , Bierhoff E. , Stockfleth E. , Dirschka T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundThere are several clinical and histological classification systems for grading actinic keratosis (AK) lesions. The Olsen clinical classification scheme grades AK lesions according to their thickness and degree of hyperkeratosis (grades 1–3). The Roewert‐Huber histological classification system grades AK lesions based on the extent of epidermal atypical keratinocytes (AK I–III).ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between these clinical and histological AK classification schemes.MethodsOne AK lesion from patients in three pivotal clinical studies and routine practice was assessed clinically and histologically. A match in grading was defined as Olsen grade 1 being classified histologically as AK I, Olsen grade 2 as AK II and Olsen grade 3 as AK III.ResultsOf the 892 lesions included, 29.0% were classified as Olsen grade 1, 59.6% as Olsen grade 2 and 11.3% as Olsen grade 3; 19.2% were histologically classified as AK I, 69.6% as AK II and 11.2% as AK III. Only 480 lesions (53.8%) had a matching clinical and histological classification. Of these matches, most were ‘Olsen grade 2 = AK II’ (83.1%). The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for clinical and histological classification was r = 0.0499 (P = 0.137).ConclusionsClinical classification of AK lesions using the system of Olsen does not accurately match histological classification of the same lesions using the system of Roewert‐Huber. Consequently, it is not possible to draw conclusions about the histology of AK lesions from their clinical appearance. This finding reinforces the need to treat all AK lesions as well as field cancerization.
Integrative approach revealed contrasting pattern of spatial structuring within urban and rural biotypes of Culex pipiens
Authors: Krtinić B. , Francuski L. , Ludoški J. , Milankov V. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPopulation structure of pests is an important issue when designing management strategies to optimize control measures. In this study, we investigated a spatial pattern of genetic and phenotypic variation within seven urban and within six rural populations of Culex pipiens from Vojvodina Province (Serbia) incorporating landscape genetic methods (using allozyme data) and wing size and shape (using geometric morphometric approach). Comparing rural samples, no strong genetic groupings of individuals were detected. Nevertheless, traditional approaches where individuals are pre‐assigned to populations, including F statistics and amova (analysis of molecular variance), revealed low, but significant genetic differentiation among samples. Similarly, phenotypic data (wing size and shape) indicated some level of heterogeneity among rural samples. Contrary to genetic homogeneity found within rural biotype, the individual‐based structuring characterized urban biotype. Geneland revealed the presence of two genetic clusters within urban group which is in concordance with FST and amova results. These results showed that sample from Novi Sad (NS) is a distinct genetic unit, which has been likely resulted in intensive insecticide use over several decades. Furthermore, phenotypic differentiation supported the existence of spatial structuring. Therefore, complementary use of molecular markers and phenotypic traits may be a powerful tool for revealing hidden spatial diversity within Cx. pipiens.
Bio‐safety evaluation of Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab, Cry1Ca, Cry1F and Vip3Aa on Harmonia axyridis larvae
Authors: Ali I. , Zhang S. , Cui J.‐J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDietary exposure studies are initial steps in environmental risk assessments of genetically engineered plants on non‐target organisms. These studies are conducted in the laboratory where surrogate species are exposed to purified and biologically active insecticidal compounds at higher concentrations than those expected to occur in transgenic crops foliage. Thus, dietary exposure (early tier) tests provide robust data needed to make general conclusions about the susceptibility of the surrogate species to the test substance. For this, we developed suitable artificial diet and used it to establish a dietary exposure test for assessing the toxicity of midgut‐active insecticidal compounds to the larvae of the Asian ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Using boric acid as a model compound, we validated the bioassay established for H. axyridis larvae. An artificial diet containing boric acid which negatively affected survival, development and adult weights was offered to larvae and indicated that the bioassay was able to detect toxic effects of insecticidal substances incorporated in diets. Using this dietary exposure test, environmental risk assessment of Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab, Cry1Ca, Cry1F and the non‐Cry protein Vip3Aa was evaluated by analysing pupation rates, adult emergence rates, 7‐day larval weights, and freshly emerged male and female weights among the toxin treatments and a pure artificial diet. These life‐table parameters did not vary among artificial diets containing 200 μg/g Bt proteins or pure artificial diet. In contrast, boric acid adversely affected all life‐table parameters. Thus on these bases, we concluded H. axyridis larvae are not sensitive to these Bt proteins expressed in genetically engineered crops.
Acetic acid lure placement within traps affects moth catches of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: Barros‐Parada W. , Basoalto E. , Fuentes‐Contreras E. , Cichon L. , Knight A. L. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that the addition of an acetic acid colure (AA) to traps baited with pear ester, (E,Z)‐2,4‐ethyl‐decadienoate, and codlemone, (E,E)‐8,10‐dodecadien‐1‐ol, the sex pheromone (PH) of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), (Combo lure) can significantly increase moth catches. A commercial AA colure was developed to be used with the Combo lure using a specialized cardboard lure holder. However, research in 2011 suggested that the addition of the AA colure placed in the holder was reducing moth catches. Studies were subsequently conducted in both North America and South America to examine the factors affecting these unexpected results. Hanging the AA colure from the inside top of the delta trap was found to be a primary factor reducing moth catches of male but not female codling moth. Significantly, more males were caught if the AA colure was placed on the sticky liner of the trap than in the holder. Laboratory and field studies found that this negative effect on moth catches lessens over time with aged AA colures that had lower emission rates. The position of the holder in the trap (upwind or downwind) relative to the direction where moths approached was not a significant factor affecting moth catch with the AA colure. However, the spacing of the lures on the holder was an important factor with significantly higher male catches with lures 5.5 cm apart and the AA lure above the Combo lure than with lures 1.5 cm apart and the Combo lure above the AA lure. Similarly, pinning the Combo lure to the roof of the trap was more effective than the use of the holder with the AA lure on the liner. Standardization of lure placement will be important to fully utilize the use of bisexual, multilure monitoring systems for codling moth and likely for other pests.
Effective molecular detection of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in bulk insect samples from sticky traps
Authors: Fujiwara K. , Uechi N. , Shimizu Y. , Toda S. , Inoue H. , Yamaguchi T. , Iwanami T. , Fujikawa T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAsian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is the principal vector of citrus greening (huanglongbing) disease. Invasion of new areas by the vector increases the risk of further spread of the disease and has economic impacts on the global citrus industry. Effective implementation of vector surveys is essential to contain disease outbreaks. This is especially true in countries such as Japan, where most of the major citrus‐producing areas are free from citrus greening. Recently, vector surveys have been routinely conducted to maintain ‘disease‐free’ and ‘disease‐ and vector‐free’ areas in Japan, and improvement of methods that can detect D. citri in native insect populations is imperative. Here, we developed a method of using conventional and real‐time PCR to detect D. citri among bulk insects captured in sticky traps without the need for preliminary differentiation steps based on morphology. DNA fragments of D. citri were specifically detected by both conventional and real‐time PCR in a mixture of a 10−3 dilution (ca. 0.008–0.009 ng/μl) of D. citriDNA and 100 ng/μl of bulk insect DNA, indicating that small body parts such as pieces of leg or parts of wings of D. citri were detectable in the bulk insect samples. No misleading amplification of fragments from the other psyllid species and citrus pests we used occurred under our PCR conditions. Our results suggest that the technique is applicable to extensive surveys of D. citri in early warning programmes.
Visual, auditive and somatosensory pathways alterations in geriatric rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Ibáñez‐Contreras A. , Poblano A. , Arteaga‐Silva M. , Hernández‐Godínez B. , Hernández‐Arciga U. , Toledo R. , Königsberg M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundSynapses loss during aging is associated to neurophysiologic alterations that impair organism's health span, thus making the study and prevention of sensory decline relevant for healthy aging and welfare. Therefore the aim of this study was to obtain normative data related to the electrophysiological responses of the different neurosensory components in the visual, auditory and somatosensory pathways in healthy geriatric rhesus monkeys in captivity.MethodsTwenty‐four rhesus monkeys were divided in two groups: (i) Geriatric monkeys, 20–30 years of age, and (ii) Young monkeys, 7 years of age. Evoked potentials were obtained from the visual, auditory and somatosensory pathways.ResultsRegardless the sensory pathways evaluated, a significant delay in nerve conduction was observed in the geriatric group in comparison to the young group.ConclusionsEvoked potentials allowed identifying changes generated during aging in rhesus monkeys and normative data for this species were obtained.
Prevalence and RT/RNase H Genealogy of Sugarcane Bacilliform Virus Isolates from China
Authors: Wu Xiao‐Bin , Alabi Olufemi J. , Damaj Mona B. , Sun Sheng‐Ren , Mirkov Theodore Erik , Fu Hua‐Ying , Chen Ru‐Kai , Gao San‐Ji 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSugarcane bacilliform viruses (SCBV; genusBadnavirus; familyCaulimoviridae) are a threat to the global exchange of sugarcane germplasm. To investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity ofSCBVacross major Chinese sugarcane‐growing areas, a total of 280 sugarcane leaf tissue samples collected from six provinces in China, 25 from three states in theUSAand five from Queensland, Australia, were tested for the presence ofSCBVby polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using newly designed degenerate primers targeting a 720‐base pair (bp) fragment of the reverse transcriptase/ribonuclease H (RT/RNase H) genomic region.PCR‐amplified fragments from 94SCBV‐positive samples were then cloned, sequenced and analysed for their genetic diversity. The results revealed a considerable haplotype diversity within individualSCBVisolates. Recombination analyses showed weak signatures of recombination among some of theSCBVsequences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the segregation of globalSCBVisolates into three major monophyletic clades encompassing 18 subgroups, including five previously undescribed subgroups named asSCBV‐N to ‐R. Population genetic analysis data indicated that relatively low levels of genetic exchange have occurred betweenSCBVpopulations from different sugarcane production regions of the world. Together with the new set of degenerateSCBV‐specific primers designed in this study, our results will advance the understanding ofSCBVpopulation structure in a semi‐perennial host plant and aid the screening of global sugarcane germplasm to minimize the spread of genetic variants of the virus via contaminated plant materials.
Metabolic load in dairy cows kept in herbage‐based feeding systems and suitability of potential markers for compromised well‐being
Authors: Zbinden R. S. , Falk M. , Münger A. , Dohme‐Meier F. , van Dorland H. A. , Bruckmaier R. M. , Gross J. J. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryHerbage feeding with only little input of concentrates plays an important role in milk production in grassland dominated countries like Switzerland. The objective was to investigate the effects of a solely herbage‐based diet and level of milk production on performance, and variables related to the metabolic, endocrine and inflammatory status to estimate the stress imposed on dairy cows. Twenty‐five multiparous Holstein cows were divided into a control (C+, n = 13) and a treatment group (C−, n = 12), according to their previous lactation yield (4679–10 808 kg) from week 3 ante partum until week 8 post‐partum (p.p.). While C+ received fresh herbage plus additional concentrate, no concentrate was fed to C− throughout the experiment. Within C+ and C−, the median of the preceding lactation yields (7752 kg) was used to split cows into a high (HYC+, HYC−)‐ and low‐yielding (LYC+, LYC−) groups. Throughout the study, HYC+ had a higher milk yield (35.9 kg/d) compared to the other subgroups (27.2–31.7 kg/d, p < 0.05). Plasma glucose (3.51 vs. 3.72 mmol/l) and IGF‐1 (66.0 vs. 78.9ng/mL) concentrations were lower in HYC−/LYC− compared to HYC+/LYC+ cows (p < 0.05). Plasma FFA and BHBA concentrations were dramatically elevated in HYC− (1.1 and 1.6 mmol/l) compared to all other subgroups (mean values: 0.5 and 0.6 mmol/l, p < 0.05). Saliva cortisol, plasma concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), beta‐endorphin (BE) and activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP) were not different between C+ and C−. In conclusion, herbage‐fed high‐yielding cows without supplementary concentrate experienced a high metabolic load resulting in a reduced performance compared to cows of similar potential fed accordingly. Low‐yielding cows performed well without concentrate supplementation. Interestingly, the selected markers for inflammation and stress such as cortisol, Hp, SAA, BE and AP gave no indication for the metabolic load being translated into compromised well‐being.