bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Masculinization of the Native Bay Snook, Petenia splendida, Using Oral Administration of the Synthetic Steroid 17α‐methyltestosterone
Authors: Contreras‐García María de J. , Contreras‐Sánchez Wilfrido M. , Mcdonal‐Vera Alejandro , Hernández‐Vidal Ulises 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe possibility of inducing sex reversal in bay snook, Petenia splendida, was evaluated to generate a protocol aimed at producing single‐sex populations (100% males) and improving farming conditions for this species. This popular staple food is a cichlid fish native to Central America, with aquaculture potential. We evaluated oral administration of the synthetic steroid 17α‐methyltestosterone (MT) to determine optimal dosage (30, 45, and 60 mg/kg of food) and days of feeding (30, 45, and 60) to attain efficient masculinization. The statistical analysis indicates a highly significant effect of both factors as well as for the interaction (P < 0.01). We registered significant differences in growth at the end of the experiment; fish fed with 60 mg of MT for 60 d reached the largest size, while fish fed with no MT were smaller. No significant differences were observed for survival (P > 0.05), ranging from 55.7 to 75.3% in the treatments. We recommend the use of 60 mg/kg of MT for 30 d for achieving successful sex reversal. This study provides valuable information supporting the inclusion of new species in aquaculture, reducing time and costs associated with sex reversal previously proposed for the species.
Dosing of indocyanine green for intraoperative laser fluorescence angiography in kidney transplantation
Authors: Rother Ulrich , Gerken Andreas L. H. , Karampinis Ioannis , Klumpp Madeline , Regus Susanne , Meyer Alexander , Apel Hendrik , Krämer Bernhard K. , Hilgers Karl , Lang Werner , Nowak Kai 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectiveSufficient blood supply is a crucial factor determining postoperative allograft function in kidney transplantation. Therefore, besides the surgeon's individual impression, a method for evaluating the quality of the organ's microperfusion is required. Laser fluorescence angiography with indocyanine green (ICG) is an emerging tool for this purpose. However, no reproducible quantification of ICG fluorescence has been performed in transplantation so far.MethodsThis retrospective two‐center study was designed to evaluate the dosing of ICG for intraoperative laser fluorescence angiography in kidney transplantation.The Spy Elite® system (NOVADAQ, Canada) was employed for quantitative assessment of allograft microperfusion. ICG was administered systemically 5 minutes after reperfusion applying doses between 0.25 and 0.01 mg ICG per kg body weight. Quantitative assessment was performed with the implemented SPY‐Q Software.ResultsA total of 57 kidney recipients were included in two centers. The generated curves showing ICG IN and EgR were not evaluable due to oversensing when doses exceeded 0.02 mg per kg body weight.ConclusionsFluorescence angiography with ICG is an emerging tool for the intraoperative quality control and evaluation of microperfusion in kidney transplantation. A dose of 0.02 mg ICG per kg body weight is recommended to ensure the quantitative assessment with SPY‐Q.
Major gene‐regulatory mechanisms operating in ribosomally synthesized and post‐translationally modified peptide (RiPP) biosynthesis
Authors: Bartholomae Maike , Buivydas Andrius , Viel Jakob H. , Montalbán‐López Manuel , Kuipers Oscar P. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryPost‐translationally modified peptides commonly display antimicrobial activity, but can also aid the development of bacterial colonies, giving a competitive advantage in the ecological niche. The production of post‐translationally modified peptides by bacteria is a complex and energetically costly process that is strictly orchestrated in the cell. The onset of peptide production is linked to the different enzymes that take part during maturation, the transporters and the immunity determinants (if required). Thus, the population can make optimal use of available resources and obtain the benefits of production at an advantageous moment during growth, avoiding toxicity to itself. The timing and level of expression of the different operons is controlled by diverse (complex) regulatory pathways in response to environmental changes, stress or master regulators during specific growth transition phases. In this review, we highlight the basic principles and mechanisms of regulation of expression of post‐translationally modified peptides and the relationship with the overall culture developmental processes and/or cellular differentiation. We also discuss the biotechnological consequences derived from the understanding of regulatory networks involved in the biosynthesis of these natural products.
Age‐ and sex‐specific survival of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) at San Miguel Island, California
Authors: DeLong Robert L. , Melin Sharon R. , Laake Jeffrey L. , Morris Patricia , Orr Anthony J. , Harris Jeffrey D. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe conducted a mark‐recapture study of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) using pups branded on San Miguel Island, California, from 1987 to 2014, and annual resightings from 1990 to 2015. We used the Burnham model (Burnham 1993), an extension of the Cormack‐Jolly‐Seber mark‐recapture model, which includes recoveries of dead animals, to analyze age, sex, and annual patterns in survival. Generally, females had higher survival than males. For female pups, the average annual survival was 0.600 and for male pups it was 0.574. Yearling survival was 0.758 and 0.757 for females and males, respectively. Peak annual survival was at age 5 and was 0.952 for females and 0.931 for males. Pups with larger mass at branding had higher survival as pups and yearlings, but the effect was relative within each cohort because of large between‐cohort variability in survival. Annual variability in sea surface temperature (SST) affected survival. For each 1°C increase in SST, the odds of survival decreased by nearly 50% for pups and yearlings; negative SST anomalies yielded higher survival. Annual variation in male survival was partly explained by leptospirosis outbreaks. Our study provides a unique view of one demographic parameter that contributed to the successful recovery of the California sea lion population.
Intra‐ and inter‐individual variability of Aspergillus fumigatus reactive T‐cell frequencies in healthy volunteers in dependency of mould exposure in residential and working environment
Authors: Wurster Sebastian , Weis Philipp , Page Lukas , Helm Johanna , Lazariotou Maria , Einsele Hermann , Ullmann Andrew J. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryInvasive aspergillosis remains a deadly disease in immunocompromised patients, whereas the combination of an exaggerated immune response and continuous exposure lead to various hyperinflammatory diseases. This pilot study aimed to gain an overview of the intra‐ and inter‐individual variability in Aspergillus fumigatus reactive T‐helper cells in healthy adults and the correlation with environmental mould exposure. In this flow cytometric study, the frequencies of CD154+ A. fumigatus reactive T cells were evaluated in 70 healthy volunteers. All subjects completed a standardised questionnaire addressing their mould exposure. Subjects with intensive mould exposure in their professional or residential surrounding demonstrated considerably higher mean frequencies of A. fumigatus reactive T‐helper and T‐memory cells. Comparative evaluation of multiple measurements over time demonstrated relatively conserved reactive T‐cell frequencies in the absence of major changes to the exposure profile, whereas those frequently exposed in professional environment or with changes to their risk score demonstrated a marked dependency of antigen reactive T‐cell frequencies on recent mould exposure. This pilot study was the first to provide data on the intra‐individual variability in A. fumigatus reactive T‐cell frequencies and its linkage to mould encounter. Fungus reactive T cells are to be considered a valued tool for the assessment of environmental mould exposure.
Feasibility of monitoring advanced melanoma patients using cell‐free DNA from plasma
Authors: Gangadhar Tara C. , Savitch Samantha L. , Yee Stephanie S. , Xu Wei , Huang Alexander C. , Harmon Shannon , Lieberman David B. , Soucier Devon , Fan Ryan , Black Taylor A. , Morrissette Jennifer J. D. , Salathia Neeraj , Waters Jill , Zhang Shile , Toung Jonathan , van Hummelen Paul , Fan Jian‐Bing , Xu Xiaowei , Amaravadi Ravi K. , Schuchter Lynn M. , Karakousis Giorgos C. , Hwang Wei‐Ting , Carpenter Erica L. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryTo determine the feasibility of liquid biopsy for monitoring of patients with advanced melanoma, cell‐free DNA was extracted from plasma for 25 Stage III/IV patients, most (84.0%) having received previous therapy. DNA concentrations ranged from 0.6 to 390.0 ng/ml (median = 7.8 ng/ml) and were positively correlated with tumor burden as measured by imaging (Spearman rho = 0.5435, p = .0363). Using ultra‐deep sequencing for a 61‐gene panel, one or more mutations were detected in 12 of 25 samples (48.0%), and this proportion did not vary significantly for patients on or off therapy at the time of blood draw (52.9% and 37.5% respectively; p = .673). Sixteen mutations were detected in eight different genes, with the most frequent mutations detected in BRAF, NRAS, and KIT. Allele fractions ranged from 1.1% to 63.2% (median = 29.1%). Among patients with tissue next‐generation sequencing, nine of 11 plasma mutations were also detected in matched tissue, for a concordance of 81.8%.
Mycorrhizal fungal spore community structure in a manipulated prairie
Authors: Henning Jeremiah A. , Weiher Evan , Lee Tali D. , Freund Deborah , Stefanski Artur , Bentivenga Stephen P. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMost plant communities support a diverse assemblage of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). AMF communities have the potential to affect plant community structure and vice versa. We examined AMF sporulation in a 4.5‐ha reconstructed prairie in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. In fall 2003, the site was planted with varied numbers and combinations of native prairie species from four functional guilds: C3 grasses/sedges, C4 grasses, legume, and nonleguminous forbs. We hypothesized that more diverse plant seeding mixtures would promote AMF diversity. To examine the interaction between plant and fungal communities, plots were divided and subplots treated with the fungicide chlorothalonil to suppress AMF, enriched with ammonium nitrate fertilizer, treated with both fungicide and nitrogen, or remained untreated (control). Soil samples were collected during the summers of 2004, 2006, and 2007 from each subplot. Spores of AMF were extracted, identified to species, and enumerated. Initial plant seeding diversity did not significantly influence spore abundance, fungal diversity, plant productivity, or plant richness 4 years after establishment. Fungal species richness was positively, but weakly, correlated with plant productivity (r2 = 0.11) and plant richness (r2 = 0.09). Fungal community composition changed significantly over time; nitrogen addition, fungicide application, and site characteristics also shaped community composition. After 4 years of treatment, nitrogen and fungicide reduced AMF richness, changed sporulation patterns among AMF taxa, and reduced diversity and productivity in plant communities. Divergence in AMF community is being mirrored by changes in the plant community independent of initial seeding treatments, though causation could not be determined.
Non‐parametric Estimation of the Number of Zeros in Truncated Count Distributions
Authors: Puig Pedro , Kokonendji Célestin C. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe present some lower bounds for the probability of zero for the class of count distributions having a log‐convex probability generating function, which includes compound and mixed‐Poisson distributions. These lower bounds allow the construction of new non‐parametric estimators of the number of unobserved zeros, which are useful for capture‐recapture models, or in areas like epidemiology and literary style analysis. Some of these bounds also lead to the well‐known Chao's and Turing's estimators. Several examples of application are analysed and discussed.
Disabilities and sexual expression: A review of the literature
Authors: Campbell Margaret 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSince the late 1980s and early 1990s, scholars have sought to advance a more nuanced and robust understanding of the sexual lives of disabled people. In doing so, these scholars have identified some of the barriers to sexual expression that disabled people face as well as some of the positive and pleasurable aspects of disabled people's sexual lives. This article reviews research regarding the sexual expression and activity of disabled people as well as some of the challenges to sexual expression that people with disabilities experience. Persons with disabilities—whether they are acquired, congenital, intellectual, physical, and/or sensorial impairments—continue to encounter alienation, stigmatization, and discrimination, particularly in terms of their sexuality. However, I argue that if proper laws, policies, and adequate supports are in place, people with disabilities can further challenge and push past these barriers to engage in a wide array of sexual and erotic acts. Furthermore, although the amount of disability‐sexuality‐related research has increased over past decades, I argue that many intersections of disability and sexuality remain under‐studied and that further research in this field is necessary.
In‐situ analysis of trace elements and Sr–Pb isotopes of K‐feldspars from Tongshankou Cu–Mo deposit, SE Hubei Province, China: Insights into early potassic alteration of the porphyry mineralization system
Authors: Xu Yao‐Ming , Jiang Shao‐Yong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn the Tongshankou porphyry deposit (SE Hubei Province, South China), three types of K‐feldspars are recognized: (I) the phenocryst type in the porphyry that crystalized during the magmatic stage, (II) the megacryst type and (III) the vein type in the altered porphyry and orebody that was produced by hydrothermal fluids. A detailed in‐situ analysis of trace elements and Sr–Pb isotopes was carried out on K‐feldspars in an attempt to unravel their formation processes and to trace the element sources during potassic alteration. The Type III K‐feldspars show lower Sr contents and Sr‐isotope ratios but higher Pb contents and Pb‐isotope ratios than the Type I and II K‐feldspars, possibly reflecting a contribution from the country carbonate rocks with less radiogenic Sr but more radiogenic Pb sources, and indicate that the ore‐forming fluids and materials may have been partially derived from external sources such as the host sedimentary rocks during the early potassic alteration stage.
An analysis of movement patterns between zones using taxi GPS data
Authors: Chen Zhanlong , Gong Xi , Xie Zhong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe discovery of zones and people's movement patterns supports a better understanding of modern cities and enables a more comprehensive strategy for urban planning. This article proposes a modified method based on previous research to simultaneously discover people's zones and movement patterns, called movement patterns between functional zones (MPFZ). The method attempts to take full advantage of taxi GPS data to identify MPFZs by merging the movement traces satisfying the merging conditions. Considering movement directions, movement numbers and the adjacent constraints that consist of spatial relationship and attribute features, the merging conditions limit the movement traces to be merged. The new MPFZs are discovered by an iteration process and are measured by the following three evaluation indices: v‐value, a‐value and c‐value, which represent coverage, accuracy and their trade‐off. Using a real‐world taxi dataset of Beijing, 24 new MPFZs are discovered, which have higher v‐, a‐ and c‐values than the unmerged MPFZs. The results of the real‐world dataset experiment show that the proposed approach is effective and efficient. The proposed method can also be applied to other types of transportation data and regions by adjusting the dataset utilized and controlling the iteration process.
Survival outcomes following aggressive treatment of oligometastatic breast cancer: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Coombe Robyn , Lisy Karolina , Campbell Jared , Perry Gajen , Prasannan Subhita 
Published: August 2017

Review question/objective:
: The objective of this systematic review is to assess the effectiveness of aggressive treatment of oligometastatic breast cancer (OMBC) on survival outcomes by conducting a meta-analysis of current available evidence.
More specifically, the objectives are to identify the effectiveness of intensified multidisciplinary treatment with aggressive locoregional therapies on survival time, five-year survival rates and disease free survival. The population is adult women (18 years and over) with OMBC defined as single or few (five or less) metastases limited to a single organ and the comparative group is conventional palliative treatment aimed at disease control. Secondary objectives to be assessed will be adverse outcomes associated with intensified treatment regimes.
Metformin and Alzheimer's disease, dementia and cognitive impairment: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Campbell Jared M. , Stephenson Matthew D. , de Courten Barbora , Chapman Ian , Bellman Susan M. , Aromataris Edoardo 
Published: August 2017

Review question/objective:
The objective of the review is to assess the effect of metformin on the risk, progression and severity of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, as well as any measures of cognitive performance or impairment.
Regulation of cerebral blood flow and metabolism during exercise
Authors: Smith Kurt J. , Ainslie Philip N. 
Published: August 2017

New Findings
What is the topic of this review?
The manuscript collectively combines the experimental observations from >100 publications focusing on the regulation of cerebral blood flow and metabolism during exercise from 1945 to the present day.

What advances does it highlight?
This article highlights the importance of traditional and historical assessments of cerebral blood flow and metabolism during exercise, as well as traditional and new insights into the complex factors involved in the integrative regulation of brain blood flow and metabolism during exercise. The overarching theme is the importance of quantifying cerebral blood flow and metabolism during exercise using techniques that consider multiple volumetric cerebral haemodynamics (i.e. velocity, diameter, shear and flow).

Cerebral function in humans is crucially dependent upon continuous oxygen delivery, metabolic nutrients and active regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF). As a consequence, cerebrovascular function is precisely titrated by multiple physiological mechanisms, characterized by complex integration, synergism and protective redundancy. At rest, adequate CBF is regulated through reflexive responses in the following order of regulatory importance: fluctuating arterial blood gases (in particularly, partial pressure of carbon dioxide), cerebral metabolism, arterial blood pressure, neurogenic activity and cardiac output. Unfortunately, the magnitude that these integrative and synergistic relationships contribute to governing the CBF during exercise remains unclear. Despite some evidence indicating that CBF regulation during exercise is dependent on the changes of blood pressure, neurogenic activity and cardiac output, their role as a primary governor of the CBF response to exercise remains controversial. In contrast, the balance between the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and cerebral metabolism continues to gain empirical support as the primary contributor to the intensity‐dependent changes in CBF observed during submaximal, moderate and maximal exercise. The goal of this review is to summarize the fundamental physiology and mechanisms involved in regulation of CBF and metabolism during exercise. The clinical implications of a better understanding of CBF during exercise and new research directions are also outlined.
Spontaneous physical activity and mediators of energy homeostasis in the hypothalamus of mice from 4 to 10 months of age
Authors: Benfato Izabelle Dias , Moretto Thaís Ludmilla , de Carvalho Francine Pereira , Barthichoto Marcela , Ferreira Sandra Mara , Costa Júnior José Maria , Lazzarin Mariana Cruz , de Oliveira Flávia , Martinez Carolina , Prado de França Carvalho Carolina , de Oliveira Camila Aparecida Machado 
Published: August 2017

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Is the initial decline of spontaneous physical activity (SPA) in mice related to impaired insulin and leptin signalling or brain‐derived neurotrophic factor expression in the hypothalamus?

What is the main finding and its importance?
We showed that SPA started to decline at an early stage, concomitantly with an impairment of hypothalamic leptin signalling. Consequently, energy expenditure decreased and glucose tolerance worsened. Our results demonstrate the need to counteract the initial decline in SPA to avoid metabolic impairments and indicate the possible involvement of central leptin in the reduction in SPA with age.

The biological control of physical activity is poorly understood. Age decreases insulin, leptin and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signalling in the hypothalamus, and all have been shown to modulate spontaneous physical activity (SPA). We investigated the age at which SPA starts to decline and whether this is associated with the emergence of hypothalamic insulin and leptin resistance and reduced BDNF expression. Spontaneous physical activity (and other parameters of locomotion) and energy expenditure were determined monthly in mice from the 4th to the 10th month of age. Metabolic and hypothalamic analyses were performed in 4‐, 6‐ and 10‐month‐old mice. Spontaneous physical activity, distance travelled and speed of locomotion started to decrease in 6‐month‐old mice. The reduction in SPA became more evident from 8 months of age. Energy expenditure decreased from the 8th month. Hypothalamic BDNF protein expression and insulin signalling did not change throughout the time span studied. Leptin signalling decreased at 6 and 10 months compared with 4 months. Also, compared with 4 months, 6‐ and 10‐month‐old mice were glucose intolerant. In conclusion, SPA begins to decline in parallel with reduced hypothalamic leptin signalling. Metabolic impairment also manifests as SPA decreases, highlighting the need to understand the regulation of SPA in order to combat its decline.