bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Segmentation Method of Time-Lapse Microscopy Images with the Focus on Biocompatibility Assessment
Authors: Soukup Jindřich , Císař Petr , Šroubek Filip 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBiocompatibility testing of new materials is often performed in vitro by measuring the growth rate of mammalian cancer cells in time-lapse images acquired by phase contrast microscopes. The growth rate is measured by tracking cell coverage, which requires an accurate automatic segmentation method. However, cancer cells have irregular shapes that change over time, the mottled background pattern is partially visible through the cells and the images contain artifacts such as halos. We developed a novel algorithm for cell segmentation that copes with the mentioned challenges. It is based on temporal differences of consecutive images and a combination of thresholding, blurring, and morphological operations. We tested the algorithm on images of four cell types acquired by two different microscopes, evaluated the precision of segmentation against manual segmentation performed by a human operator, and finally provided comparison with other freely available methods. We propose a new, fully automated method for measuring the cell growth rate based on fitting a coverage curve with the Verhulst population model. The algorithm is fast and shows accuracy comparable with manual segmentation. Most notably it can correctly separate live from dead cells.
Is wheat germ grass detrimental during radiotherapy?: a hypothesis
Authors: Kataria Tejinder , Gupta Deepak , Sambasivam Sasikumar , Vishnu Nisha T. , Goyal Shikha , Bisht Shyam Singh , Basu Trinanjan , Abhishek Ashu , Narang Kushal , Banerjee Susovan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundAntioxidant therapies to control oxidative damage have already attracted worldwide attention in recent years. Extensive studies on phytochemicals in cell culture system and animal models have provided a wealth of information on the mechanism by which such nutraceuticals show their beneficial effect. Nutraceuticals include plant-derived factors (phytochemicals) and factors derived from animal sources as well as from microbial sources. The activities of nutraceuticals are broad and include antioxidation, modulation of enzyme activity and modification of natural hormonal activity (agonist or antagonist) to act as a precursor for one or more beneficial molecules. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals that cause cell damage. Antioxidant consumption during radiotherapy and its effects are still controversial. Some studies suggest that antioxidant supplementation during chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be beneficial and some, harmful. Wheat grass is rich in superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant enzyme. Radiotherapy causes tumour cell kill via activation of reactive oxygen species, specifically by the hydroxyl radical and needs the reactive species for effective tumour control. Wheat grass which is rich in free radical scavengers can interfere with reactive oxygen species generated by radiation for tumour cell kill and can be detrimental to the therapy per se.PurposeTo hypothesise if the antioxidant properties of wheat grass could influence tumour activity, the effects of radiation therapy on tumour cells can be nullified when wheat grass is taken during radiotherapy.
The topography of mutational processes in breast cancer genomes
Authors: Morganella Sandro , Alexandrov Ludmil B. , Glodzik Dominik , Zou Xueqing , Davies Helen , Staaf Johan , Sieuwerts Anieta M. , Brinkman Arie B. , Martin Sancha , Ramakrishna Manasa , Butler Adam , Kim Hyung-Yong , Borg Åke , Sotiriou Christos , Futreal P. Andrew , Campbell Peter J. , Span Paul N. , Van Laere Steven , Lakhani Sunil R. , Eyfjord Jorunn E. , Thompson Alastair M. , Stunnenberg Hendrik G. , van de Vijver Marc J. , Martens John W. M. , Børresen-Dale Anne-Lise , Richardson Andrea L. , Kong Gu , Thomas Gilles , Sale Julian , Rada Cristina , Stratton Michael R. , Birney Ewan , Nik-Zainal Serena 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSomatic mutations in human cancers show unevenness in genomic distribution that correlate with aspects of genome structure and function. These mutations are, however, generated by multiple mutational processes operating through the cellular lineage between the fertilized egg and the cancer cell, each composed of specific DNA damage and repair components and leaving its own characteristic mutational signature on the genome. Using somatic mutation catalogues from 560 breast cancer whole-genome sequences, here we show that each of 12 base substitution, 2 insertion/deletion (indel) and 6 rearrangement mutational signatures present in breast tissue, exhibit distinct relationships with genomic features relating to transcription, DNA replication and chromatin organization. This signature-based approach permits visualization of the genomic distribution of mutational processes associated with APOBEC enzymes, mismatch repair deficiency and homologous recombinational repair deficiency, as well as mutational processes of unknown aetiology. Furthermore, it highlights mechanistic insights including a putative replication-dependent mechanism of APOBEC-related mutagenesis.
Hispanic Immigrant Mothers of Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: How Do They Understand and Cope With Autism?
Authors: Ijalba Elizabeth 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
This study aimed to understand the experiences of raising a child with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in a group of Hispanic immigrant mothers. The following 3 aspects were explored: (a) the families' social environments, (b) cultural beliefs on development and autism, and (c) perceptions of bilingualism influencing language choices.

Method
In-depth 3-part phenomenological interviews and thematic analyses were conducted with 22 Hispanic immigrant mothers of preschool children with ASD.

Results
A total of 3 thematic categories emerged: stigmatization and social isolation, preconceptions about developmental milestones and autism, and mothers' reluctance to speak Spanish with their children. A lack of awareness about autism influenced social isolation, and autism was viewed as temporary and associated with fear or sadness. The mothers believed that exposure to 2 languages would increase their children's language difficulties.

Conclusions
Hispanic immigrant mothers raising children with autism were often challenged by immigration status, economic hardship, and advice against using Spanish with their children. Professional training and parent education are needed to facilitate early identification of ASD. Immigrant families should be encouraged to communicate in the home language with their children. Information about ASD should be disseminated through community outreach, home–school connections, and pediatricians, who remain pivotal in informing Hispanic immigrant families.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.6170258
Remote ischemic Conditioning – endogene Gewebeprotektion und ihre Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Chirurgie
Authors: Sogorski A. , Harati K. , Kapalschinski N. , Daigeler A. , Hirsch T. , Lehnhardt M. , Goertz O. , Kolbenschlag J. 
Published: May 2016

ZusammenfassungAls Grundlage für Wundheilung und Regeneration nach Operationen kommt der Gewebeperfusion zentrale Bedeutung zu. Ischämien und Reperfusion führen über die Auslösung von Entzündungsreaktionen im Gewebe zu Gewebeschäden bis hin zur Nekrose. Um im Rahmen des perioperativen Managements das Gewebe vor solch schädigenden Einflüssen zu schützen, wurden eine Vielzahl an Konditionierungsverfahren beschrieben. Die wenigsten dieser Verfahren erfüllen jedoch die Forderung nach Wirksamkeit, zeit- und kosteneffektiver Anwendbarkeit und nicht invasiver Anwendung ohne zusätzliche Geräte oder Medikamente. Remote ischemic Conditioning (RIC) stellt eine Möglichkeit der endogenen Gewebekonditionierung dar, welche diese Kriterien erfüllt. Durch kurze wiederholte Zyklen aus Ischämie und Reperfusion eines isolierten vaskulären Territoriums kommt es über die Aktivierung körpereigener Signalwege zu gesteigerter Toleranz gegenüber Minderversorgung und Begrenzung des Reperfusionsschadens im Gewebe auch fernab des eigentlich konditionierten Gebiets. Zur nicht invasiven Applikation der notwendigen Ischämie-/Reperfusionszyklen genügt eine Druckmanschette, die am Oberarm angelegt und wiederholt auf suprasystolische Werte aufgepumpt wird. Die verschiedenen Konzepte des Remote ischemic Pre-, Per- und Postconditioning ermöglichen die Anwendung sowohl im Rahmen von Elektiveingriffen als auch bei Notfallinterventionen. RIC findet, aufbauend auf vielversprechenden experimentellen Studien, zunehmend klinische Anwendung. Neben Studien zur Kardio-, Nephro- und Neuroprotektion liegen auch erste Ergebnisse für den potenziellen Einsatz von RIC in der rekonstruktiven Mikrochirurgie vor. Dieser Artikel soll daher einen Überblick über Entwicklung, Konzepte und beteiligte Mechanismen des RIC mit Schwerpunkt auf den Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Chirurgie geben.
Objects of transitive verbs in Italian as a heritage language in contact with German
Authors: Di Venanzio Laura , Schmitz Katrin , Scherger Anna-Lena 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis paper seeks to close a gap in the ongoing research on heritage languages (HL), their acquisition, and the nature of transfer in HL with a study on a hitherto understudied language combination, namely Italian heritage speakers (HS) raised in Germany with two native languages. The current study compares data from spontaneous speech of these HS with speech data from native speakers of Italian who immigrated to Germany as adults with German as L2, and Italian monolinguals. Analyses of Italian objects reveal that the HS show native knowledge about lexical options of object omissions and their pragmatic identification, and of object clitic use. The results indicate no evidence for covert transfer with regard to Italian object realization types. Finally, the study leads to the conclusion that Italian HS differ in fewer investigated aspects from Italian monolinguals than L1/L2 speakers.
The price of associating with breeders in the cooperatively breeding chestnut‐crowned babbler: foraging constraints, survival and sociality
Authors: Sorato Enrico , Griffith Simon C. , Russell Andy F. 
Published: May 2016

Summary

Understanding the costs of living with breeders might offer new insights into the factors that counter evolutionary transitions from selfish individuals to cooperative societies. While selection on early dispersal is well understood, it is less clear whether costs are also associated with remaining with family members during subsequent breeding, a prerequisite to the evolution of kin‐based cooperation.

We propose and test the hypothesis that living in groups containing breeders is costly and that such costs are exacerbated by increasing group size. For example, in group‐living central‐place foragers, group members might suffer from resource depletion when foraging in a restricted area during breeding and significant costs of repeatedly travelling between foraging patches and the site of offspring.

Using the cooperatively breeding chestnut‐crowned babbler (Pomatostomus ruficeps), for which grouping during breeding is obligatory, we show that reproduction is associated with substantially reduced foraging areas and evidence of resource depletion, particularly in larger groups. Such effects largely persisted from the onset of incubation through to offspring independence 4–5 months later. All group members, irrespective of their breeder or helper status, lost significant body mass over this period, and, in males, mass loss was associated with reduced interannual survival.

Although babblers are constrained from living outside of breeding groups due to high risks of predation and the poor success of breeding without helpers, we suggest that the effects we describe may generally select against group living during breeding attempts in species where constraints to independent breeding and costs of dispersal are less acute.
Slowing them down will make them lose: a role for attine ant crop fungus in defending pupae against infections?
Authors: Armitage Sophie A. O. , Fernández‐Marín Hermógenes , Boomsma Jacobus J. , Wcislo William T. 
Published: May 2016

Summary

Fungus‐growing ants (Attini) have evolved an obligate dependency upon a basidiomycete fungus that they cultivate as their food. Less well known is that the crop fungus is also used by many attine species to cover their eggs, larvae and pupae.

The adaptive functional significance of this brood covering is poorly understood. One hypothesis to account for this behaviour is that it is part of the pathogen protection portfolio when many thousands of sister workers live in close proximity and larvae and pupae are not protected by cells, as in bees and wasps, and are immobile.

We performed behavioural observations on brood covering in the leaf‐cutting ant Acromyrmex echinatior, and we experimentally manipulated mycelial cover on pupae and exposed them to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum to test for a role in pathogen resistance.

Our results show that active mycelial brood covering by workers is a behaviourally plastic trait that varies temporally, and across life stages and castes. The presence of a fungal cover on the pupae reduced the rate at which conidia appeared and the percentage of pupal surface that produced pathogen spores, compared to pupae that had fungal cover experimentally removed or naturally had no mycelial cover. Infected pupae with mycelium had higher survival rates than infected pupae without the cover, although this depended upon the time at which adult sister workers were allowed to interact with pupae. Finally, workers employed higher rates of metapleural gland grooming to infected pupae without mycelium than to infected pupae with mycelium.

Our results imply that mycelial brood covering may play a significant role in suppressing the growth and subsequent spread of disease, thus adding a novel layer of protection to their defence portfolio.
Rehabilitative bodywork: cleaning up the dirty work of homecare
Authors: Meldgaard Hansen Agnete 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCare work for elderly people has been characterised as dirty work, owing to its proximity to the (dys)functions and discharges of aged bodies and the notions of disease, decay and death associated with the idea of old age. However, a wave of reform programmes in Danish municipalities promoting rehabilitative care practices aiming to empower, train and activate elderly citizens provides opportunities for homecare workers to renegotiate their status and reconstruct their work and occupational identities with a cleaner and more optimistic image. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in two Danish homecare units, this article analyses how rehabilitative care practices, drawing on a narrative of the third age, provide an optimistic and anti‐ageist framing of homecare work that informs the development of new occupational identities for care workers as coaches rather than carers in relation to citizens. Furthermore, rehabilitation efforts change the bodywork of care, rendering it more distanced and physically passive, and rehabilitation efforts also involve extensive motivational work aiming to help citizens to see themselves as capable, resourceful and self‐reliant. However, while rehabilitation efforts become a new resource in care workers’ taint management; they also entail potentially negative consequences in terms of responsibilising and disciplinary approaches to elderly citizens.
Estimating the Enduring Effects of Fertiliser Subsidies on Commercial Fertiliser Demand and Maize Production: Panel Data Evidence from Malawi
Authors: Ricker‐Gilbert Jacob , Jayne T. S. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractMost studies of input subsidy programmes confine their analyses to measuring programme effects over a one‐year period. This article estimates the potential longer‐run or enduring effects of fertiliser subsidy programmes on smallholder farm households' demand for commercial fertiliser and maize production over time. We use four waves of panel data on 462 farm households in Malawi for whom fertiliser use can be tracked for eight consecutive seasons between 2003/2004 and 2010/2011. Panel estimation methods are used to control for potential endogeneity of subsidised fertiliser acquisition. Results indicate that farmers acquiring subsidised fertiliser in three consecutive prior years are found to purchase slightly more commercial fertiliser in the next year. This suggests a small amount of crowding in of commercial fertiliser from the receipt of subsidised fertiliser in prior years. In addition, acquiring subsidised fertiliser in a given year has a modest positive impact on increasing maize output in that same year. However, acquiring subsidised fertiliser in multiple prior years generates no statistically significant effect on maize output in the current year. These findings indicate that potential enduring effects of the Malawi fertiliser subsidy programme on maize production are limited. Additional interventions that increase soil fertility can make using inorganic fertiliser more profitable and sustainable for smallholders in sub‐Saharan Africa and thereby increase the cost‐effectiveness of input subsidy programmes.
Evaluation of habitat requirements of small rodents and effectiveness of an ecologically‐based management in a hantavirus‐endemic natural protected area in Argentina
Authors: VADELL María Victoria , GARCÍA ERIZE Francisco , GÓMEZ VILLAFAÑE Isabel Elisa 
Published: May 2016

AbstractHantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a severe cardio pulmonary disease transmitted to humans by sylvan rodents found in natural and rural environments. Disease transmission is closely linked to the ecology of animal reservoirs and abiotic factors such as habitat characteristics, season or climatic conditions. The main goals of this research were: to determine the biotic and abiotic factors affecting richness and abundance of rodent species at different spatial scales, to evaluate different methodologies for studying population of small rodents, and to describe and analyze an ecologically‐based rodent management experience in a highly touristic area. A 4‐year study of small rodent ecology was conducted between April 2007 and August 2011 in the most relevant habitats of El Palmar National Park, Argentina. Management involved a wide range of control and prevention measures, including poisoning, culling and habitat modification. A total of 172 individuals of 5 species were captured with a trapping effort of 13 860 traps‐nights (1.24 individuals/100 traps‐nights). Five rodent species were captured, including 2 hantavirus‐host species, Oligoryzomys nigripes and Akodon azarae. Oligoryzomys nigripes, host of a hantavirus that is pathogenic in humans, was the most abundant species and the only one found in all the studied habitats. Our results are inconsistent with the dilution effect hypothesis. The present study demonstrates that sylvan rodent species, including the hantavirus‐host species, have distinct local habitat selection and temporal variation patterns in abundance, which may influence the risk of human exposure to hantavirus and may have practical implications for disease transmission as well as for reservoir management.
Habitat fragmentation, vole population fluctuations, and the ROMPA hypothesis: An experimental test using model landscapes
Authors: BATZLI George O. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIncreased habitat fragmentation leads to smaller size of habitat patches and to greater distance between patches. The ROMPA hypothesis (ratio of optimal to marginal patch area) uniquely links vole population fluctuations to the composition of the landscape. It states that as ROMPA decreases (fragmentation increases), vole population fluctuations will increase (including the tendency to display multi‐annual cycles in abundance) because decreased proportions of optimal habitat result in greater population declines and longer recovery time after a harsh season. To date, only comparative observations in the field have supported the hypothesis. This paper reports the results of the first experimental test. I used prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster, and mowed grassland to create model landscapes with 3 levels of ROMPA (high with 25% mowed, medium with 50% mowed and low with 75% mowed). As ROMPA decreased, distances between patches of favorable habitat (high cover) increased owing to a greater proportion of unfavorable (mowed) habitat. Results from the first year with intensive live trapping indicated that the preconditions for operation of the hypothesis existed (inversely density dependent emigration and, as ROMPA decreased, increased per capita mortality and decreased per capita movement between optimal patches). Nevertheless, contrary to the prediction of the hypothesis that populations in landscapes with high ROMPA should have the lowest variability, 5 years of trapping indicated that variability was lowest with medium ROMPA. The design of field experiments may never be perfect, but these results indicate that the ROMPA hypothesis needs further rigorous testing.
Adjunctive loading dose of cilostazol in preventing periprocedural myocardial infarction
Authors: Xu Ling‐Xia , Chen Kang‐Yin , Liu Tong , Zheng Xin‐Tian , Jiao Zhan‐Quan , Xu Yanmin , Li Guangping 
Published: May 2016

SummaryIntroductionPeriprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) is a common complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of adjunctive loading dose of cilostazol in preventing PMI in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).MethodsA total of 113 patients with ACS undergoing PCI were randomized to receive loading doses of dual (aspirin plus clopidogrel; DAPT group; n=57) or triple antiplatelet therapy (aspirin plus clopidogrel plus cilostazol; TAPT group; n=56). The loading and maintenance doses were 100 and 50 mg bid for cilostazol. Patients in the TAPT group received adjunctive cilostazol for 1 week. Cardiac biomarkers were measured before PCI, 8 and 24 hours after PCI to determine the incidence of PMI.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the incidence of PMI between the TAPT and DAPT groups (32.1% vs 47.4%, P=.098). However, in the antiplatelet‐naïve subgroup, TAPT significantly lowered the incidence of PMI compared to DAPT (17.9% vs 42.9%, P=.042). In the antiplatelet‐treated subgroup, the incidences of PMI were comparable (46.4% vs 51.7%, P=.698). Multivariable logistic analysis showed that antiplatelet‐treated (vs antiplatelet‐naïve) (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–5.52; P=.030) subgroup was independently associated with PMI. However, TAPT (vs DAPT) (HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.23–1.14; P=.102) was not an independent protective factor of PMI.ConclusionsThe present single‐center, randomized study indicates that TAPT with adjunctive cilostazol was not associated with lower incidence of PCI‐related PMI in patients with ACS. Further study with large study population is needed to get definite conclusions.