bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of markers predicting litter size in different pig breeds
Authors: Kwon W.‐S. , Rahman M. S. , Ryu D.‐Y. , Khatun A. , Pang M.‐G. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryTo overcome the limitations of conventional analysis of male fertility in animals and humans, proteomic studies have been performed to develop fertility‐related biomarkers for prognosis and diagnosis of male fertility. However, the studies were focused on specific species or breeds. Therefore, a study is required to validate whether fertility‐related markers would apply to other breeds in pigs. In this study, previously developed fertility‐related biomarkers from Landrace were validated to use for prognosis of male fertility in commercially available breeds. Expression level of eight biomarkers in non‐capacitated and capacitated (C) spermatozoa from Yorkshire and Duroc boars was analyzed. And then, to explore the validity of these markers for prognosis of male fertility, i.e. litter size, artificial insemination was performed. Among them, RAB2A (NC) and UQCRC1 (NC) turned out to be highest efficient markers for Yorkshire. RAB2A (C) was most efficient marker for Duroc. Average litter size has increased as much as 1.41 live born after prediction using eight fertility‐related biomarkers in Yorkshire. In addition, average 2.52 litter size was increased after prediction using eight fertility‐related biomarkers in Duroc. Average litter sizes were especially highly increased after prediction of fertility using RAB2A (NC) in Yorkshire (1.57 piglets) and TPI (NC) in Duroc (3.14 piglets), respectively. As a result, all biomarkers were significantly correlated with litter size. However, overall accuracy to predict litter size in three breeds was different in response with each marker. Average litter size after artificial insemination was also significantly affected by marker selection. Therefore, this study suggests that developed fertility‐related markers may be used for prognosis and diagnosis of male fertility irrespective of breed. However, selection of efficient markers for breeds should be considered to obtain more accurate and efficient outcomes.
Evaluating the Quality of the Deliberation in Moral Case Deliberations: A Coding Scheme
Authors: Jellema Hylke , Kremer Swanny , Mackor Anne‐Ruth , Molewijk Bert 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMoral Case Deliberation (MCD) is an up and coming form of ethics support wherein clinical professionals deliberate about moral questions they face in their work. So far, it has been unclear what quality of deliberation in MCD is entailed and how to evaluate this quality. This article proposes a coding scheme that fits the theoretical background of MCD and allows researchers to evaluate the quality of the deliberation in MCDs. We consider deliberation in MCD to be of good quality when participants enrich their own understanding of a case by being exposed to the viewpoints of others. In order to have such an enriching effect, the deliberation in an MCD ought to involve different kinds of arguments from the perspectives of different stakeholders and in favour of different resolutions to the case; and the process of deliberation ought to be critical but constructive.
Evaluating Clinical Ethics Support: A Participatory Approach
Authors: Metselaar Suzanne , Widdershoven Guy , Porz Rouven , Molewijk Bert 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe current process towards formalization within evaluation research, in particular the use of pre‐set standards and the focus on predefined outcomes, implies a shift of ownership from the people who are actually involved in real clinical ethics support services (CESS) in a specific context to external stakeholders who increasingly gain a say in what ‘good CESS’ should look like. The question is whether this does justice to the insights and needs of those who are directly involved in actual CESS practices, be it as receivers or providers. We maintain that those actually involved in concrete CESS practices should also be involved in its evaluation, not only as respondents, but also in setting the agenda of the evaluation process and in articulating the criteria by which CESS is evaluated. Therefore, we propose a participatory approach to CESS evaluation. It focuses on (1) the concrete contexts in which CESS takes place, (2) reflective and dialogical learning processes, and (3) how to be democratic and inclusive. In particular, this approach to CESS evaluation is akin to realist evaluation, dialogical evaluation, and responsive evaluation. An example of a participatory approach to evaluating CESS is presented and some critical issues concerning this approach are discussed.
What Outcomes do Dutch Healthcare Professionals Perceive as Important Before Participation in Moral Case Deliberation?
Authors: de Snoo‐Trimp Janine , Widdershoven Guy , Svantesson Mia , de Vet Riekie , Molewijk Bert 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundThere has been little attention paid to research on the outcomes of clinical ethics support (CES) or critical reflection on what constitutes a good CES outcome. Understanding how CES users perceive the importance of CES outcomes can contribute to a better understanding, use of and normative reflection on CES outcomes.ObjectiveTo describe the perceptions of Dutch healthcare professionals on important outcomes of moral case deliberation (MCD), prior to MCD participation, and to compare results between respondents.MethodsThis mixed‐methods study used both the Euro‐MCD instrument and semi‐structured interviews. Healthcare professionals who were about to implement MCD were recruited from nursing homes, hospitals, psychiatry and mentally disabled care institutions.Results331 healthcare professionals completed the Euro‐MCD instrument, 13 healthcare professionals were interviewed. The outcomes perceived as most important were ‘more open communication’, ‘better mutual understanding’, ‘concrete actions’, ‘see the situation from different perspectives’, ‘consensus on how to manage the situation’ and ‘find more courses of action’. Interviewees also perceived improving quality of care, professionalism and the organization as important. Women, nurses, managers and professionals in mentally disabled care rated outcomes more highly than other respondents.ConclusionsDutch healthcare professionals perceived the MCD outcomes related to collaboration as most important. The empirical findings can contribute to shared ownership of MCD and a more specific use of MCD in different contexts. They can inform international comparative research on different CES types and contribute to normative discussions concerning CES outcomes. Future studies should reflect upon important MCD outcomes after having experienced MCD.
Selective and state‐dependent activation of TRESK (K2P18.1) background potassium channel by cloxyquin
Authors: Lengyel Miklós , Dobolyi Alice , Czirják Gábor , Enyedi Péter 
Published: April 2017

Background and PurposeCloxyquin (5‐cloroquinolin‐8‐ol) has been described as an activator of TRESK (K2P18.1, TWIK‐related spinal cord K+ channel) background potassium channel. We have examined the specificity of the drug by testing several K2P channels. We have investigated the mechanism of cloxyquin‐mediated TRESK activation, focusing on the differences between the physiologically relevant regulatory states of the channel.Experimental ApproachPotassium currents were measured by two‐electrode voltage clamp in Xenopus oocytes and by whole‐cell patch clamp in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons.Key ResultsCloxyquin (100 µM) activated mouse and human TRESK 4.4 ± 0.3 (n = 28) and 3.9 ± 0.3‐fold (n = 8), respectively. The drug selectively targeted TRESK in the K2P channel family and exerted state‐dependent effects. TRESK was potently activated by cloxyquin in the resting state. However, after robust activation of the current by the calcium signal, evoked by stimulation of Gq‐coupled receptors, the compound did not influence mouse TRESK and only slightly affected the human channel. The constitutively active mutant channels, mimicking the dephosphorylated state (S276A) or containing altered channel pore (F156A and F364A), were not further stimulated by cloxyquin. In a subpopulation of isolated DRG neurons, cloxyquin substantially activated the background potassium current.Conclusions and ImplicationsCloxyquin activates TRESK by a Ca2+/calcineurin‐independent mechanism. The drug is specific for TRESK within the K2P channel family and useful for studying TRESK currents in native cells. The state‐dependent pharmacological profile of this channel should be considered in the development of therapeutics for migraine and other nociceptive disorders.
Head‐to‐head comparison of structurally unrelated dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors in the setting of renal ischemia reperfusion injury
Authors: Reichetzeder Christoph , von Websky Karoline , Tsuprykov Oleg , Mohagheghi Samarin Azadeh , Falke Luise Gabriele , Dwi Putra Sulistyo Emantoko , Hasan Ahmed Abdallah , Antonenko Viktoriia , Curato Caterina , Rippmann Jörg , Klein Thomas , Hocher Berthold 
Published: April 2017

Background and PurposeResults regarding protective effects of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors in renal ischaemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) are conflicting. Here we have compared structurally unrelated DPP4 inhibitors in a model of renal IRI.Experimental ApproachIRI was induced in uninephrectomized male rats by renal artery clamping for 30 min. The sham group was uninephrectomized but not subjected to IRI. DPP4 inhibitors or vehicle were given p.o. once daily on three consecutive days prior to IRI: linagliptin (1.5 mg·kg−1·day−1), vildagliptin (8 mg·kg−1·day−1) and sitagliptin (30 mg·kg−1·day−1). An additional group received sitagliptin until study end (before IRI: 30 mg·kg−1·day−1; after IRI: 15 mg·kg−1·day−1).Key ResultsPlasma‐active glucagon‐like peptide type 1 (GLP‐1) increased threefold to fourfold in all DPP4 inhibitor groups 24 h after IRI. Plasma cystatin C, a marker of GFR, peaked 48 h after IRI. Compared with the placebo group, DPP4 inhibition did not reduce increased plasma cystatin C levels. DPP4 inhibitors ameliorated histopathologically assessed tubular damage with varying degrees of drug‐specific efficacies. Renal osteopontin expression was uniformly reduced by all DPP4 inhibitors. IRI‐related increased renal cytokine expression was not decreased by DPP4 inhibition. Renal DPP4 activity at study end was significantly inhibited in the linagliptin group, but only numerically reduced in the prolonged/dose‐adjusted sitagliptin group. Active GLP‐1 plasma levels at study end were increased only in the prolonged/dose‐adjusted sitagliptin treatment group.Conclusions and ImplicationsIn rats with renal IRI, DPP4 inhibition did not alter plasma cystatin C, a marker of glomerular function, but may protect against tubular damage.
The isoprenoid derivative N6‐benzyladenosine CM223 exerts antitumor effects in glioma patient‐derived primary cells through the mevalonate pathway
Authors: Ciaglia Elena , Grimaldi Manuela , Abate Mario , Scrima Mario , Rodriquez Manuela , Laezza Chiara , Ranieri Roberta , Pisanti Simona , Ciuffreda Pierangela , Manera Clementina , Gazzerro Patrizia , D'Ursi Anna Maria , Bifulco Maurizio 
Published: April 2017

Background and PurposeN6‐Isopentenyladenosine (i6A) is a modified nucleoside exerting in vitro and in vivo antiproliferative effects. We previously demonstrated that the actions of i6A correlate with the expression and activity of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS), a key enzyme involved in the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, which is aberrant in brain cancer. To develop new anti‐glioma strategies, we tested related compounds exhibiting greater activity than i6A.Experimental ApproachWe designed and synthesized i6A derivatives characterized by the introduction of diverse chemical moieties in the N6 position of adenosine and tested for their efficacy in U87 cells and in primary glioma cultures, derived from patients. NMR‐based structural analysis, molecular docking calculations and siRNA mediated knockdown were used to clarify the molecular basis of their action, targeting FPPS protein.Key ResultsCM223, the i6A derivative including a benzyl moiety in N6 position of adenine, showed marked activity in selectively targeting glioma cells, but not normal human astrocytes. This was due to induction of intrinsic pathways of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation, along with blockade of FPPS‐dependent protein prenylation, which counteracted oncogenic signalling mediated by EGF receptors.Conclusion and ImplicationsThe biological effects together with structural data on interaction of CM223 with FPPS, provided additional evidence for the correlation of the i6A/CM223 antitumor activity with FPPS modulation. Because the MVA pathway is an important promising target, CM223 and its derivatives should be considered interesting active molecules in antiglioma research.
Public Credit Programmes and Firm Performance in Brazil
Authors: Maffioli Alessandro , de Negri Joao A. , Rodriguez Cesar M. , Vazquez‐Bare Gonzalo 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCredit rationing is a common phenomenon faced by firms, one that has negative implications for long‐term investments. In Brazil, public credit plays a key role in supporting firms: state‐owned banks account for almost half of the outstanding credit. Public credit programmes aim at reducing credit restrictions, increasing competitiveness and job creation for small and medium enterprises. This article analyzes the effectiveness of the credit lines managed by two main public institutions in Brazil. Results show that access to public credit lines has a significant positive impact on firms’ employment growth and exports, while no effect was found on wage differential. The impact on exports is driven by the increase in volumes among exporting firms rather than the probability of becoming an exporter.
Not so different from non‐traders
Authors: Francis David C. , Schweiger Helena 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis paper uses a unique, comparable firm‐level dataset covering more than 80 developing middle‐income economies to provide a novel set of stylized facts on firms engaging in international trade, focusing on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We show that firms in MENA are more likely to export and/or import than their counterparts elsewhere. However, we only find the expected positive and significant productivity premia for exporters outside of MENA. While MENA's larger exporters are indeed more productive than non‐exporters, a large share of exporters – the comparatively low‐volume ones – are not. We also confirm positive and significant size and productivity premia for manufacturers that import only, with productivity premia in MENA at least double of those in middle‐income economies elsewhere. In contrast, we find no size or productivity premia for MENA's manufacturers that export, but do not import. These patterns are consistent with substantial distortions in the relative fixed and variable costs of trading, likely a reflection of selectively applied policies.
Pious populists at the gate
Authors: Meyersson Erik 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn this paper, I evaluate the economic track record of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey, using the synthetic control method (SCM). This methodology compares the post‐AKP development trajectory of Turkey with that of a weighted combination of similar but untreated countries. The SCM is particularly useful in this setting as it allows construction of a synthetic control to Turkey that replicates the pre‐AKP development dynamics. I find that Turkey under AKP grew no faster in terms of GDP per capita when compared with a synthetic counterpart from a wide pool of other countries. Restricting the pool of control units to only include Muslim countries shows Turkey growing slower than its Muslim counterparts. Moreover, analysis of post‐crisis recovery periods shows Turkey growing no faster than comparable post‐crisis cases across time. However, expanding the outcome set to health and education reveals large positive differences in both infant and maternal mortality as well as university enrolment, consistent with stated AKP policies to improve access to health and education sectors for the relatively poorer segments of the population. Nonetheless, increased access in these fields is not matched by improved labour market access, as both labour force participation as well as unemployment have deteriorated, and especially so for women. As for measures of institutions, I fail to find any durable positive differences in measures related to democracy or human rights early on during the post‐intervention period, and in several instances there is evidence of significant declines over the long run. A particularly salient feature of the AKP's reign is reduced political power of the military, consistent with the military in Turkey receiving lower economic rents than its synthetic counterpart during AKP's reign.
Sexual selection reinforces a higher flight endurance in urban damselflies
Authors: Tüzün Nedim , Op de Beeck Lin , Stoks Robby 
Published: April 2017

AbstractUrbanization is among the most important and globally rapidly increasing anthropogenic processes and is known to drive rapid evolution. Habitats in urbanized areas typically consist of small, fragmented and isolated patches, which are expected to select for a better locomotor performance, along with its underlying morphological traits. This, in turn, is expected to cause differentiation in selection regimes, as populations with different frequency distributions for a given trait will span different parts of the species’ fitness function. Yet, very few studies considered differentiation in phenotypic traits associated with patterns in habitat fragmentation and isolation along urbanization gradients, and none considered differentiation in sexual selection regimes. We investigated differentiation in flight performance and flight‐related traits and sexual selection on these traits across replicated urban and rural populations of the scrambling damselfly Coenagrion puella. To disentangle direct and indirect paths going from phenotypic traits over performance to mating success, we applied a path analysis approach. We report for the first time direct evidence for the expected better locomotor performance in urban compared to rural populations. This matches a scenario of spatial sorting, whereby only the individuals with the best locomotor abilities colonize the isolated urban populations. The covariation patterns and causal relationships among the phenotypic traits, performance and mating success strongly depended on the urbanization level. Notably, we detected sexual selection for a higher flight endurance only in urban populations, indicating that the higher flight performance of urban males was reinforced by sexual selection. Taken together, our results provide a unique proof of the interplay between sexual selection and adaptation to human‐altered environments.
Attribution of seasonal leaf area index trends in the northern latitudes with “optimally” integrated ecosystem models
Authors: Zhu Zaichun , Piao Shilong , Lian Xu , Myneni Ranga B. , Peng Shushi , Yang Hui 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSignificant increases in remotely sensed vegetation indices in the northern latitudes since the 1980s have been detected and attributed at annual and growing season scales. However, we presently lack a systematic understanding of how vegetation responds to asymmetric seasonal environmental changes. In this study, we first investigated trends in the seasonal mean leaf area index (LAI) at northern latitudes (north of 30°N) between 1982 and 2009 using three remotely sensed long‐term LAI data sets. The most significant LAI increases occurred in summer (0.009 m2 m−2 year−1, p < .01), followed by autumn (0.005 m2 m−2 year−1, p < .01) and spring (0.003 m2 m−2 year−1, p < .01). We then quantified the contribution of elevating atmospheric CO2 concentration (eCO2), climate change, nitrogen deposition, and land cover change to seasonal LAI increases based on factorial simulations from 10 state‐of‐the‐art ecosystem models. Unlike previous studies that used multimodel ensemble mean (MME), we used the Bayesian model averaging (BMA) to optimize the integration of model ensemble. The optimally integrated ensemble LAI changes are significantly closer to the observed seasonal LAI changes than the traditional MME results. The BMA factorial simulations suggest that eCO2 provides the greatest contribution to increasing LAI trends in all seasons (0.003–0.007 m2 m−2 year−1), and is the main factor driving asymmetric seasonal LAI trends. Climate change controls the spatial pattern of seasonal LAI trends and dominates the increase in seasonal LAI in the northern high latitudes. The effects of nitrogen deposition and land use change are relatively small in all seasons (around 0.0002 m2 m−2 year−1 and 0.0001–0.001 m2 m−2 year−1, respectively). Our analysis of the seasonal LAI responses to the interactions between seasonal changes in environmental factors offers a new perspective on the response of global vegetation to environmental changes.
Investigation of Arsenotrophic Microbiome in Arsenic‐Affected Bangladesh Groundwater
Authors: Sultana Munawar , Mou Taslin Jahan , Sanyal Santonu Kumar , Diba Farzana , Mahmud Zahid Hayat , Parvez Anowar Khasru , Hossain M. Anwar 
Published: April 2017

AbstractArsenotrophic bacteria contribute to the nutrient cycling in arsenic (As) affected groundwater. This study employed a culture‐independent and ‐dependent investigation of arsenotrophic microbiomes in As affected groundwater samples collected from Madhabpur, Sonatengra, and Union Porishod in Singair Upazila, Manikganj, Bangladesh. Total As contents, detected by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) of the samples, were 47 µg/L (Madhabpur, SNGW‐1), 53 µg/L (Sonatengra, SNGW‐2), and 12 µg/L (Union porishod, SNGW‐3), whereas the control well (SNGW‐4; depths >150 m) showed As content of 6 µg/L. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the amplified 16S rRNA gene from As‐affected groundwater samples revealed the dominance of aerobic bacteria Pseudomonas within heterogeneous bacterial populations. DGGE of heterotrophic enrichments supplemented with arsenite [As (III)] for 4 weeks showed the dominance of Chryseobacterium, Flavobacterium, and Aquabacterium, whereas the dominant genera in that of autotrophic enrichments were Aeromonas, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas. Cultured bacteria retrieved from both autotrophic and heterotrophic enrichments were distinguished into nine genotypes belonging to Chryseobacterium, Acinetobacter, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Janibacter, Staphylococcus, and Bacillus. They exhibited varying range of As(III) tolerance from 4 to 27 mM. As(III) transformation potential was confirmed within the isolates with oxidation rate as high as 0.143 mM/h for Pseudomonas sp. Sn 28. The arsenotrophic microbiome specifies their potential role in groundwater As‐cycling and their genetic information provide the scientific basis for As‐bioremediation.