bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Limited dispersal prevents Quercus rubra invasion in a 14‐species common garden experiment
Authors: Jagodziński Andrzej M. , Dyderski Marcin K. , Horodecki Paweł , Rawlik Katarzyna 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAimInformation about the importance of propagule pressure and habitat invasibility in invasion success of dispersal‐limited species is scarce. We aimed to assess invasiveness of Quercus rubra within stands of 14 tree species, and the effects of distance from propagule source on invasion success, to highlight limiting factors for further application in nature conservation.LocationSiemianice Experimental Forest—a common garden forest experiment with 14 tree species, western Poland.MethodsWe investigated aboveground biomass, leaf area index and density of Q. rubra natural regeneration within 53 experimental plots, as well as distance from the seed source. We also analysed light availability changes between 2005 and 2015 on plots of each tree species. We used multiple linear regression and variable importance to quantify the effect of each factor.ResultsAll factors tested influenced ecological success of Q. rubra. Invasion success decreased with increasing distance from the seed source and decreasing light availability and was higher within stands of pioneer tree species. Leaf area index depended mostly on tree stand species, density depended on distance from the propagule source and biomass depended on both. Light availability explained 7.2%–30.2% of the variance; tree species—from 36.1% to 57.4%; and distance from the propagule source—from 12.4% to 56.7%.Main conclusionsTree stand species, light availability and distance from the propagule source influence ecological success of invasive Q. rubra, displaying their importance for spread of this species. These factors are controllable in forest/conservation management and may be used to prevent Q. rubra invasion. Planting late‐successional tree species that cast dense shade, maintaining canopy closure and removing fruiting trees from surrounding more invasible stands may prevent Q. rubra invasion.
Functional neurochemical imaging of the human striatal cholinergic system during reversal learning
Authors: Bell Tiffany , Lindner Michael , Mullins Paul Gerald , Christakou Anastasia 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAnimal studies have shown that acetylcholine (ACh) levels in the dorsal striatum play a role in reversal learning. However, this has not been studied in humans due to a lack of appropriate non‐invasive techniques. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) can be used to measure metabolite levels in humans in vivo. Although it cannot be used to study ACh directly, 1H‐MRS can be used to study choline, an ACh precursor, which is linked to activity‐dependent ACh release. The aim of this study was to use functional‐1H‐MRS (fMRS) to measure changes in choline levels in the human dorsal striatum during performance of a probabilistic reversal learning task. We demonstrate a task‐dependent decrease in choline, specifically during reversal, but not initial, learning. We interpret this to reflect a sustained increase in ACh levels, which is in line with findings from the animal literature. This task‐dependent change was specific to choline and was not observed in control metabolites. These findings provide support for the use of fMRS in the in vivo study of the human cholinergic system.
Survey on basal blood plasma catecholamine concentrations in Martina Franca donkey (Equus asinus)
Authors: De Palo P. , Maggiolino A. , Ceci E. , Calzaretti G. , Centoducati P. , Tateo A. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryBackgroundCatecholamines are among the most frequently investigated parameters for studying sympathoadrenal activity in response to stress conditions.ObjectivesTo evaluate basal plasma concentrations of catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine) in healthy donkeys.Study designCross‐sectional study.MethodsCatecholamine concentrations from 440 Martina Franca donkeys were determined: 269 females and 171 entire males, aged from 4 months to 24 years. Animals were subdivided into four age categories: under 12 months old (64 males and 54 females), from 13 to 36 months (56 males and 75 females), from 37 to 120 months (49 males and 80 females) and over 120 months (24 males and 38 females). Indwelling jugular catheters were inserted at least 12 h before drawing blood. The data set was subjected to analysis of variance considering age, sex and the two‐way interaction between them as independent variables. Pearson's correlation coefficients between the three catecholamines were evaluated.ResultsConfidence intervals (CI) for noradrenaline concentration ranged between 239.98 and 255.07 ng/L (mean 247.52 ng/L), for adrenaline between 129.27 and 137.90 ng/L (mean 133.59 ng/L), dopamine concentrations between 149.62 and 160.80 ng/L (mean 155.21 ng/L) and noradrenaline/adrenaline ratio between 1.91 and 2.05 (mean 1.98). Catecholamine plasma concentrations were not influenced by sex. Donkeys older than 37 months had lower adrenaline and noradrenaline plasma concentrations (P<0.001) and higher noradrenaline/adrenaline ratios (P<0.01) than younger animals.Main limitationsIndwelling catheters and blood drawing procedures may have influenced catecholamine levels.ConclusionsCatecholamine concentrations were established within a large group of healthy Martina Franca donkeys.
Synthesis and characterization of ferrimagnetic glass‐ceramic frit from waste
Authors: González‐Triviño Isabel , Benítez‐Guerrero Mónica , Carda Castelló Juan , Moreno Belén , Pascual‐Cosp José 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe large amount of generated waste determines the importance of their valorization. Red mud is the residue of the Bayer process, which stored cumulative value raises 2.7 Bt. This paper describes an easy way to produce a ferrimagnetic glass‐ceramic frit, using bauxite residue, fly ash and glass cullet as raw materials. The synthesized frit consists of faceted and dendritic agglomerated crystals of magnetite and titanomagnetite embedded in a glass matrix, which exhibits a saturation magnetization (MS) of 6.3 emu/g, a remanent magnetization (MR) of 2.7 emu/g and a coercive field (HC) of 347 Oe. Furthermore, it presents Vickers hardness value of HV = 5.55 ± 0.16 GPa and fracture toughness value of KIC = 1.64 ± 0.34 MPa·m1/2.
A novel homozygous mutation in PVRL4 causes ectodermal dysplasia‐syndactyly syndrome 1
Authors: Florian Rupert , Gruber Robert , Volc‐Platzer Beatrix 
Published: December 2017

AbstractEctodermal dysplasias (EDs) are a group of hereditary disorders defined by alterations in two or more ectodermal structures. One recently described rare entity is the autosomal recessive inherited ectodermal dysplasia‐syndactyly syndrome 1 (EDSS1). Homozygous and compound heterozygous missense and nonsense mutations in the poliovirus receptor related‐4 (PVRL4) gene, encoding cell adhesion molecule nectin‐4, have been identified as causal for EDSS1. We here report a consanguineous family with a 2‐year‐old girl featuring EDSS1, including slowly progressive alopecia on the head, pili torti‐like twisted hairs in trichoscopy, widely spaced, peg‐shaped and conical teeth, proximal syndactyly with fusion of the 2nd to 4th toes, and generalized dry skin. There was no palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and sweating appeared normal to slightly enhanced, especially on the head. Using exome sequencing, we identified the novel homozygous nonsense mutation c.229C>T (p.Gln77Ter) in PVRL4.
Aerobic exercise training rescues protein quality control disruption on white skeletal muscle induced by chronic kidney disease in rats
Authors: De Moraes Wilson Max Almeida Monteiro , de Souza Pamella Ramona Moraes , da Paixão Nathalie Alves , de Sousa Luís Gustavo Oliveira , Ribeiro Daniel Araki , Marshall Andrea G. , Prestes Jonato , Irigoyen Maria Claudia , Brum Patricia Chakur , Medeiros Alessandra 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe tested whether aerobic exercise training (AET) would modulate the skeletal muscle protein quality control (PQC) in a model of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in rats. Adult Wistar rats were evaluated in four groups: control (CS) or trained (CE), and 5/6 nephrectomy sedentary (5/6NxS) or trained (5/6NxE). Exercised rats were submitted to treadmill exercise (60 min., five times/wk for 2 months). We evaluated motor performance (tolerance to exercise on the treadmill and rotarod), cross‐sectional area (CSA), gene and protein levels related to the unfolded protein response (UPR), protein synthesis/survive and apoptosis signalling, accumulated misfolded proteins, chymotrypsin‐like proteasome activity (UPS activity), redox balance and heat‐shock protein (HSP) levels in the tibialis anterior. 5/6NxS presented a trend towards to atrophy, with a reduction in motor performance, down‐regulation of protein synthesis and up‐regulation of apoptosis signalling; increases in UPS activity, misfolded proteins, GRP78, derlin, HSP27 and HSP70 protein levels, ATF4 and GRP78 genes; and increase in oxidative damage compared to CS group. In 5/6NxE, we observed a restoration in exercise tolerance, accumulated misfolded proteins, UPS activity, protein synthesis/apoptosis signalling, derlin, HSPs protein levels as well as increase in ATF4, GRP78 genes and ATF6α protein levels accompanied by a decrease in oxidative damage and increased catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities. The results suggest a disruption of PQC in white muscle fibres of CKD rats previous to the atrophy. AET can rescue this disruption for the UPR, prevent accumulated misfolded proteins and reduce oxidative damage, HSPs protein levels and exercise tolerance.
Neuregulin‐1 is essential for nerve plexus formation during cardiac maturation
Authors: Brown Daniel , Samsa Leigh Ann , Ito Cade , Ma Hong , Batres Karla , Arnaout Rima , Qian Li , Liu Jiandong 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Neuregulin‐1 (Nrg1)/ErbB pathway plays multiple, critical roles in early cardiac and nervous system development and has been implicated in both heart and nerve repair processes. However, the early embryonic lethality of mouse Nrg1 mutants precludes an analysis of Nrg1's function in later cardiac development and homeostasis. In this study, we generated a novel nrg1 null allele targeting all known isoforms of nrg1 in zebrafish and examined cardiac structural and functional parameters throughout development. We found that zebrafish nrg1 mutants instead survived until young adult stages when they exhibited reduced survivorship. This coincided with structural and functional defects in the developing juvenile and young adult hearts, as demonstrated by reduced intracardiac myocardial density, cardiomyocyte cell number, swimming performance and dysregulated heartbeat. Interestingly, nrg1 mutant hearts were missing long axons on the ventricle surface by standard length (SL) 5 mm, which preceded juvenile and adult cardiac defects. Given that the autonomic nervous system normally exerts fine control of cardiac output through this nerve plexus, these data suggest that Nrg1 may play a critical role in establishing the cardiac nerve plexus such that inadequate innervation leads to deficits in cardiac maturation, function and survival.
TPPU enhanced exercise‐induced epoxyeicosatrienoic acid concentrations to exert cardioprotection in mice after myocardial infarction
Authors: Guo Yuan , Luo Fei , Zhang Xv , Chen Jingyuan , Shen Li , Zhu Yi , Xu Danyan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractExercise training (ET) is a safe and efficacious therapeutic approach for myocardial infarction (MI). Given the numerous benefits of exercise, exercise‐induced mediators may be promising treatment targets for MI. C57BL/6 mice were fed 1‐trifluoromethoxyphenyl‐3‐(1‐propionylpiperidine‐4‐yl) urea (TPPU), a novel soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor (sEHI), to increase epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) levels, for 1 week before undergoing MI surgery. After 1‐week recovery, the mice followed a prescribed exercise programme. Bone marrow‐derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were isolated from the mice after 4 weeks of exercise and cultured for 7 days. Angiogenesis around the ischaemic area, EPC functions, and the expression of microRNA‐126 (miR‐126) and its target gene Spred1 were measured. The results were confirmed in vitro by adding TPPU to EPC culture medium. ET significantly increased serum EET levels and promoted angiogenesis after MI. TPPU enhanced the effects of ET to reduce the infarct area and improve cardiac function after MI. ET increased EPC function and miR‐126 expression, which were further enhanced by TPPU, while Spred1 expression was significantly down‐regulated. Additionally, the protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase 3β (AKT/GSK3β) signalling pathway was activated after the administration of TPPU. EETs are a potential mediator of exercise‐induced cardioprotection in mice after MI. TPPU enhances exercise‐induced cardiac recovery in mice after MI by increasing EET levels and promoting angiogenesis around the ischaemic area.
TAT‐MTS‐MCM fusion proteins reduce MMA levels and improve mitochondrial activity and liver function in MCM‐deficient cells
Authors: Erlich‐Hadad Tal , Hadad Rita , Feldman Anat , Greif Hagar , Lictenstein Michal , Lorberboum‐Galski Haya 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMethylmalonic aciduria (MMA) is a disorder of organic acid metabolism resulting from a functional defect of the mitochondrial enzyme, methylmalonyl‐CoA mutase (MCM). The main treatments for MMA patients are dietary restriction of propiogenic amino acids and carnitine supplementation. Liver or combined liver/kidney transplantation has been used to treat those with the most severe clinical manifestations. Thus, therapies are necessary to help improve quality of life and prevent liver, renal and neurological complications. Previously, we successfully used the TAT‐MTS‐Protein approach for replacing a number of mitochondrial‐mutated proteins. In this targeted system, TAT, an 11 a.a peptide, which rapidly and efficiently can cross biological membranes, is fused to a mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS), followed by the mitochondrial mature protein which sends the protein into the mitochondria. In the mitochondria, the TAT‐MTS is cleaved off and the native protein integrates into its natural complexes and is fully functional. In this study, we used heterologous MTSs of human, nuclear‐encoded mitochondrial proteins, to target the human MCM protein into the mitochondria. All fusion proteins reached the mitochondria and successfully underwent processing. Treatment of MMA patient fibroblasts with these fusion proteins restored mitochondrial activity such as ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential and oxygen consumption, indicating the importance of mitochondrial function in this disease. Treatment with the fusion proteins enhanced cell viability and most importantly reduced MMA levels. Treatment also enhanced albumin and urea secretion in a CRISPR/Cas9‐engineered HepG2 MUT (‐/‐) liver cell line. Therefore, we suggest using this TAT‐MTS‐Protein approach for the treatment of MMA.
Outbreak of mass mortality of yearling groupers of Epinephelus (Perciformes, Serranidae) associated with the infection of a suspected new enteric Sphaerospora (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) species in South China Sea
Authors: Liu X H , Xu L W , Luo D , Zhao Y L , Zhang Q Q , Liu G F , Zhang J Y 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA suspected new enteric Sphaerospora species was believed to be directly associated with the mass mortality of yearling groupers of Epinephelus spp. in South China. The epizootic generally emerged from late September to late April of the following year. The infection prevalence and mortality rate were significantly negatively correlated with fish size. Clinical signs included anorexia, cachexia and extrusion of white pulp‐like substance from anus after gentle pressure on the abdomen. Upon necropsy, severe intestinal oedema, thin and transparent intestinal wall, swollen spleen, kidney and gall bladder could be observed. Wet preparation of the infected samples showed large amount of typical disporous plasmodia of the genus Sphaerospora, but no mature spores were observed. Epidemiological investigation showed that this parasite exclusively infected Epinephelus groupers. Histopathologically, this species mainly infected the epithelium of intestine and kidney tubules and caused severe epithelia sloughing and the collapse of intestinal villus. Interestingly, this enteric myxosporidiosis did not cause severe emaciation of infected fish for mass mortality usually emerged within 2–3 days after appearance of clinical signs. The species was most genetically related to Sphaerospora fugu (89% sequence identity) and phylogenetically positioned within marine Sphaerospora lineage. This is the first report of enteric sphaerosporosis of groupers.
Purinergic signalling displays an anti‐inflammatory profile in the spleen of fish experimentally infected with Aeromonas caviae: Modulation of the immune response
Authors: Baldissera M D , Souza C F , Bottari N B , Verdi C M , Santos R C V , Vizzotto B S , Baldisserotto B 
Published: December 2017

AbstractExtracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and its metabolite adenosine (Ado) are recognized as key mediators of immune and inflammatory responses. Depending on its concentration, ATP may act as an immunostimulant or immunodepressant, while Ado levels display an anti‐inflammatory profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether splenic purinergic signalling is capable of modulating immune and inflammatory responses in fish experimentally infected with Aeromonas caviae. Triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase) and 5′‐nucleotidase activities increased in the spleen of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) experimentally infected with A. caviae compared with the uninfected control group. Moreover, splenic Ado levels increased in the infected animals relative to the uninfected control group. Based on these lines of evidence, our findings revealed that adenine nucleotide hydrolysis is modified in the spleen of fish infected with A. caviae attempting to restrict the inflammatory process through the upregulation of NTPDase and 5′‐nucleotidase activities, which occurs in an attempt to hydrolyse the excessive ATP in the extracellular environment and rapidly hydrolyse AMP to form Ado. In summary, purinergic signalling can modulate immune and inflammatory responses during A. caviae infection.
Meta‐analysis of Interventions to Reduce Adverse Drug Reactions in Older Adults
Authors: Gray Shelly L. , Hart Laura A. , Perera Subashan , Semla Todd P. , Schmader Kenneth E. , Hanlon Joseph T. 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesTo examine the effect of interventions to optimize medication use on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in older adults.DesignSystematic review and meta‐analysis. EMBASE, PubMed, OVID, Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar were searched through April 30, 2017.SettingRandomized controlled trials.ParticipantsOlder adults (mean age ≥65) taking medications.MeasurementsTwo authors independently extracted relevant information and assessed studies for risk of bias. Discrepancies were resolved in consensus meetings. The outcomes were any and serious ADRs. Random‐effects models were used to combine the results of multiple studies and create summary estimates.ResultsThirteen randomized controlled trials involving 6,198 older adults were included. The studies employed a number of different interventions that were categorized as pharmacist‐led interventions (8 studies), other health professional‐led interventions (3 studies), a brief educational session (1 study), and a technology intervention (1 study). The intervention group was 21% less likely than the control group to experience any ADR (odds ratio (OR) = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.62–0.99). In the six studies that examined serious ADRs, the intervention group was 36% less likely than the control group to experience a serious ADR (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.42–0.98).ConclusionInterventions designed to optimize medication use reduced the risk of any and serious ADRs in older adults. Implementation of these successful interventions in healthcare systems may improve medication safety in older adults.
Metamorphic evolution of a newly identified Mesoproterozoic oceanic slice in the Yuka terrane and its implications for a multi‐cyclic orogenic history of the North QaidamUHPMbelt
Authors: Ren Y. F. , Chen D. L. , Kelsey D. E. , Gong X. K. , Liu L. , Zhu X. H. , Yang S. J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe North Qaidam Orogenic Belt (NQOB), lying at the northern margin of the Tibet Plateau, records two orogenic cycles: A Proterozoic cycle related to the amalgamation and breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia, and an Early Palaeozoic cycle including oceanic subduction and continental deep subduction. At present, the only information about the Proterozoic cycle is the concurrentc. 1,000–900 Ma magmatic and metamorphic events, which limited the understanding of the Proterozoic evolution ofNQOBand the relationship between the Qaidam Block and other Rodinia fragments. In this study, a kyanite‐bearing eclogite was identified in Yuka terrane. It has positive‐slope chondrite‐normalized rare earth element distribution patterns, similar to present‐day N‐MORB.LA–ICP–MSzircon U–Pb dating obtained a protolith age of 1,273 Ma and an eclogite facies metamorphic age of 437 Ma, which is similar to the continental deep subduction age of the Yuka terrane. Zircon Lu–Hf analysis show that the magmatic zircon cores have high εHf(t) of 8.36–15.98 andTDM1of 1,450–1,131 Ma (M = 1,303 ± 55 Ma, consistent with its protolith age within error), indicating a juvenile crust protolith of the eclogite. TheMORB‐like whole‐rock composition and zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf analysis indicate that the protolith of the kyanite‐bearing eclogite was a Mesoproterozoic oceanic slice.P–Tpseudosection analysis shows that the kyanite‐bearing eclogite experienced four metamorphic stages: (1) a prograde stage with the assemblage garnet+omphacite+talc+lawsonite+phengite+quartz at 22.4–23.2 kbar and 585°C; (2) a peak stage with the assemblage garnet+omphacite+lawsonite+phengite+coesite at 32.5 kbar and 670°C; (3) an early retrograde stage with the assemblage garnet+omphacite+kyanite+phengite+coesite/quartz±lawsonite at 27.1–30.0 kbar and 670–690°C; and (4) a late retrograde stage with the assemblage garnet+omphacite+epidote+hornblende+phengite+quartz at <18.0 kbar. The established clockwiseP–Tpath is similar with other continental‐type eclogites in this area. On the basis of the geochemical and geochronological data, as well as theP–Tpath, we suggest that the protolith of the kyanite‐bearing eclogite was emplaced in the active margin of the Qaidam Block during the assembly of Rodinia and underwent continental deep subduction in the Early Palaeozoic. We conclude that (1) the Qaidam Block participated in the assembly of the Rodinia supercontinent. It was situated at or proximal to the margin of the supercontinent and probably close to India, east Antarctica and Tarim; and (2) both Mesoproterozoic and Early Palaeozoic oceanic crust slices occur in the NQOB. Thus, special caution is needed when using the metamorphic ages of oceanic affinity eclogites without protolith ages to constrain the evolution history of the North QaidamUHPMbelt.