bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility and acceptability of ultrasound measurements of head–perineum distance
Authors: Benediktsdottir Sigurlaug , Salvesen Kjell Å. , Hjartardottir Hulda , Eggebø Torbjørn M. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroductionWe aimed to test the reproducibility of head–perineum distance (HPD) measurements using two different ultrasound devices and five examiners, to compare ultrasound measurements and clinical assessments and to study if ultrasound examinations were acceptable for women in labor.Material and methodsA reproducibility study was performed at Lund University Hospital, Sweden and Landspitali University Hospital, Iceland from February 2015 to February 2017. The study population comprised 40 healthy women in labor. HPD was measured with three replicate measurements from each woman with two different ultrasound devices, and the measurements were compared with clinical assessments. Acceptability was tested with a visual analog scale (VAS), and the mean VAS score from both ultrasound devices was compared with the VAS score from clinical palpation.ResultsThe median time interval between start of examinations with devices was 10 min (range 1–26 min). The intra‐observer repeatability coefficient was 4.3 mm and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.97 (95% CI 0.95–0.98). The intraclass correlation coefficient between the two devices was 0.86 (95% CI 0.74–0.93) and limits of agreement were −9.6 mm to 16.6 mm. However, we observed a significant mean HPD difference between devices (3.5 mm; 95% CI 1.4–5.6 mm). Clinical assessments and the mean measurements of HPD were correlated (r = 0.64, p < 0.01). We found significant differences in acceptability in favor of ultrasound. The mean VAS score for both ultrasound devices was 2.0 vs. 4.1 for clinical examination (p < 0.01).ConclusionWe found excellent intra‐observer repeatability, good correlation but significant difference between devices. Women reported less discomfort with ultrasound than with clinical examinations.
Influence of exercise on the structure of the anterior chamber of the eye
Authors: Li Mu , Song Yinwei , Zhao Yin , Yan Xiaoqin , Zhang Hong 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPurposeTo measure changes in anterior chamber structure before and after exercise in healthy individuals using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT).MethodsThirty‐two healthy young individuals performed jogging for 20 min. Eye blinking rate was recorded during rest and exercise. The anterior chamber angle (ACA), angle opening distance at 500 μm from the scleral spur (AOD500), trabecular‐iris space area at 500 μm from the scleral spur (TISA500), iris concavity (IC), iris concavity ratio (CR), iris thickness at 750 μm from the scleral spur (IT750), anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber width (ACW), pupil diameter (PD), intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before and after exercise. Anterior chamber angle (ACA), AOD500, TISA500, IC, IT750, ACD, ACW and PD were measured with ASOCT.ResultsCompared with rest, the blinking rate during exercise did not change significantly (13.04 ± 5.80 versus 13.52 ± 5.87 blinks/min, p = 0.645). The average IOP (15.4 ± 2.4 versus 12.4 ± 2.1 mmHg), ACA (35.96 ± 11.35 versus 40.25 ± 12.64 degrees), AOD500 (0.800 ± 0.348 versus 0.942 ± 0.387 mm), TISA500 (0.308 ± 0.155 versus 0.374 ± 0.193 mm2), IC (−0.078 ± 0.148 versus −0.153 ± 0.159 mm) and CR (−0.027 ± 0.050 versus −0.054 ± 0.056) changed significantly (all p < 0.001), while the average IT750 (0.463 ± 0.084 versus 0.465 ± 0.086 mm; p = 0.492), ACD (3.171 ± 0.229 versus 3.175 ± 0.238 mm; p = 0.543) and ACW (11.768 ± 0.377 versus 11.755 ± 0.378 mm; p = 0.122) showed no significant change after exercise.ConclusionThe blinking rate did not change significantly during exercise, while ACA, AOD500 and TISA500 increased after exercise. Exercise also induced or increased IC. These changes in anterior chamber structure were only associated with exercise, but not with the postexercise change in PD or IOP.
Antidote Availability in Saudi Arabia Hospitals in the Riyadh Province
Authors: AlTamimi Abdullah , Malhis Nidal K. , Khojah Najla M. , Manea Saleh A. , AlTamimi Abdulrahman , AlShammary Sami Ayed 
Published: October 2017

AbstractInadequate antidote stocking is a global problem in hospitals. Insufficient supplies and delays in the administration of antidotes could lead to death and additional potentially negative clinical consequences. Our objective was to determine the availability of antidotes in hospitals listed on the Saudi Ministry of Health website in the Riyadh Province and to evaluate the leading poison in Saudi Arabia. A cross‐sectional study was conducted using questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed to pharmacist directors and emergency room‐treating physicians in 17 public hospitals throughout the Riyadh Province. None (0/17) of the pharmacies contained the 24 recommended essential antidotes by the expert consensus guidelines for stocking of antidotes in hospitals. Polyvalent scorpion antivenom, atropine sulphate, calcium gluconate, flumazenil and naloxone hydrochloride were stocked in 94.12% (16/17) of hospitals. 66.67% of patients presented with osmolality, and 55.56% of referral patients with opiates, barbiturates, acetaminophen and salicylate. Our findings have important implications for healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical practices. National practice guidelines are needed to assist pharmacists in selecting appropriate antidotes based on the local pattern of poisoning incidents. Therefore, further study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia needs to be completed to fully evaluate the availability of antidotes throughout the country.
Identification of chlamydial T3SS inhibitors through virtual screening against T3SS ATPase
Authors: Grishin Alexander V. , Luyksaar Sergey I. , Kapotina Lidiya N. , Kirsanov Dmitry D. , Zayakin Egor S. , Karyagina Anna S. , Zigangirova Naylia A. 
Published: October 2017

Chlamydia trachomatis is a widespread sexually transmitted pathogen that resides within a special vacuole inside host cells. Although acute infection can be treated with antibiotics, chlamydia can enter persistent state, leading to chronic infection that is difficult to cure. Thus, novel anti‐chlamydial compounds active against persistent chlamydia are required. Chlamydiae rely upon type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject effector proteins into host cell cytoplasm, and T3SS inhibitors are viewed as promising compounds for treatment of chlamydial infections. C. trachomatis ATPase SctN is an important T3SS component and has not been targeted before. We thus used virtual screening against homology modeled SctN structure to search for SctN inhibitors. Selected compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit chlamydial survival and development within eukaryotic cells, and for the ability to suppress normal T3SS functioning. We identified two compounds that were able to block normal protein translocation through T3SS and inhibit chlamydial survival within eukaryotic cells in 50–100 μm concentrations. These two novel T3SS inhibitors also possessed relatively low toxicity toward eukaryotic cells. A small series of derivatives was further synthesized for the most active of two inhibitors to probe SAR properties.
Therapeutic administration of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells reduces airway inflammation without up‐regulating Tregs in experimental asthma
Authors: Kitoko J. Z. , de Castro L. L. , Nascimento A. P. , Abreu S. C. , Cruz F. F. , Arantes A. C. , Xisto D. G. , Martins M. A. , Morales M. M. , Rocco P. R. M. , Olsen P. C. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryBackgroundProphylactic administration of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from adipose (AD‐MSC) and bone marrow tissue (BM‐MSC) in ovalbumin‐induced asthma hinders inflammation in a Treg‐dependent manner. It is uncertain whether MSCs act through Tregs when inflammation is already established in asthma induced by a clinically relevant allergen.ObjectiveEvaluate the effect of therapeutic administration of MSCs on inflammation and Treg cells in house dust mite (HDM)‐induced asthma.MethodsBM‐MSCs and AD‐MSCs were administered intratracheally to C57BL/6 mice 1 day after the last HDM challenge. Lung function, remodelling and parenchymal inflammation were assayed 3 or 7 days after MSCs treatment, through invasive plethysmography and histology, respectively. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and mediastinal lymph nodes (mLNs) were assessed regarding the inflammatory profile by flow cytometry, ELISA and qRT‐PCR. MSCs were studied regarding their potential to induce Treg cells from primed and unprimed lymphocytes in vitro.ResultsBM‐MSCs, but not AD‐MSCs, reduced lung influx of eosinophils and B cells and increased IL‐10 levels in HDM‐challenged mice. Neither BM‐MSCs nor AD‐MSCs reduced lung parenchymal inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness or mucus hypersecretion. BM‐MSCs and AD‐MSCs did not up‐regulate Treg cell counts within the airways and mLNs, but BM‐MSCs decreased the pro‐inflammatory profile of alveolar macrophages. Co‐culture of BM‐MSCs and AD‐MSCs with allergen‐stimulated lymphocytes reduced Treg cell counts in a cell‐to‐cell contact‐independent manner, although co‐culture of both MSCs with unprimed lymphocytes up‐regulated Treg cell counts.ConclusionsMSCs therapeutically administered exert anti‐inflammatory effects in the airway of HDM‐challenged mice, but do not ameliorate lung function or remodelling. Although MSC pre‐treatment can increase Treg cell numbers, it is highly unlikely that the MSCs will induce Treg cell expansion when lymphocytes are allergenically primed in an established lung inflammation.
Threats to biodiversity from cumulative human impacts in one of North America's last wildlife frontiers
Authors: Shackelford Nancy , Standish Rachel J. , Ripple William , Starzomski Brian M. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractLand‐use change is the largest proximate threat to biodiversity yet remains one of the most complex to manage. In British Columbia (BC), where large mammals roam extensive tracts of intact habitat, continued land‐use development is of global concern. Extant mammal diversity in BC is unrivalled in North America owing, in part, to its unique position at the intersection of alpine, boreal, and temperate biomes. Despite high conservation values, understanding of cumulative ecological impacts from human development is limited. Using cumulative‐effects‐assessment (CEA) methods, we assessed the current human footprint over 16 regional ecosystems and 7 large mammal species. Using historical and current range estimates of the mammals, we investigated impacts of human land use on species’ persistence. For ecosystems, we found that bunchgrass, coastal Douglas fir, and ponderosa pine have been subjected to over 50% land‐use conversion, and over 85% of their spatial extent has undergone either direct or estimated indirect impacts. Of the mammals we considered, wolves were the least affected by land conversion, yet all species had reduced ranges compared with historical estimates. We found evidence of a hard trade‐off between development and conservation, most clearly for mammals with large distributions and ecosystems with high levels of conversion. Rather than serve as a platform to monitor species decline, we strongly advocate these data be used to inform land‐use planning and to assess current conservation efforts. More generally, CEAs offer a robust tool to inform wildlife and habitat conservation at scale.
Lower thermal tolerance in nocturnal than in diurnal ants: a challenge for nocturnal ectotherms facing global warming
Authors: GARCIA‐ROBLEDO CARLOS , CHUQUILLANQUI HECTOR , KUPREWICZ ERIN K. , ESCOBAR‐SARRIA FEDERICO 
Published: October 2017

1. The thermal adaptation hypothesis proposes that because thermoregulation involves a high metabolic cost, thermal limits of organisms must be locally adapted to temperatures experienced in their environments. There is evidence that tolerance to high temperatures decreases in insects inhabiting colder habitats and microclimates. However, it is not clear if thermal limits of ectotherms with contrasting temporal regimes, such as diurnal and nocturnal insects, are also adapted to temperatures associated with their circadian activities.2. This study explores differences in heat tolerance among diurnal and nocturnal ant species in four ecosystems in Mexico: tropical montane, tropical rainforest, subtropical dry forests, and high‐elevation semi‐desert.3. The critical thermal maximum (CTmax), i.e. the temperature at which ants lost motor control, was estimated for diurnal and nocturnal species. CTmax for 19 diurnal and 12 nocturnal ant species distributed among 45 populations was also estimated.4. Semi‐desert and subtropical dry forest ants displayed higher tolerances to high temperatures than did ants in tropical rainforest. The lowest tolerance to high temperatures was recorded in tropical montane forest ants. In general, among all habitats, the CTmax of nocturnal ants was lower than that of diurnal ants.5. An increase in nocturnal temperatures, combined with lower tolerance to high temperatures, may represent a substantial challenge for nocturnal ectotherms in a warming world.
Mnemonic and attentional roles for states of attenuated alpha oscillations in perceptual working memory: a review
Authors: van Ede Freek 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAlpha oscillations are often reported to be amplified during working memory (WM) retention, serving to disengage sensory areas to protect internal representations from external interference. At the same time, contemporary views of WM postulate that sensory areas may often also be recruited for retention. I here review recent evidence that during such ‘perceptual’ WM, alpha oscillations in mnemonically relevant sensory areas are not amplified but attenuated instead. I will argue that such attenuated alpha states serve a mnemonic role and, further, that larger attenuation may support item‐specific attentional prioritisation within perceptual WM. In critically evaluating this role, I also consider (and argue against) four alternatives to a strictly mnemonic account of the available data that may also prove useful to consider in future research. Finally, I highlight key implications of these data for the study of WM and for our understanding of the functional roles of states of attenuated alpha oscillations in cognition.
Interactive effects of temperature and moisture on composition of the soil microbial community
Authors: Zhou W. P. , Shen W. J. , Li Y. E. , Hui D. F. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryA wealth of knowledge exists on the response of soil processes to variation in environmental factors such as temperature and moisture, but the response from the soil microbial communities that control these processes remains poorly understood. We carried out a full factorial incubation experiment to investigate the single and interactive effects of temperature (10, 17, 24, 31 and 38°C) and moisture (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% water holding capacity (WHC)) on composition of the soil microbial community characterized by the phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) method. The single and interactive effects of temperature and moisture were statistically significant (P < 0.05) for almost all the selected PLFA signatures, including fungi (F), bacteria (B), Gram‐positive bacteria (G+), Gram‐negative bacteria (G−), actinomycetes (ACT) and the bacterial stress index (BSI). Although the F/B ratio increased and the G+/G− ratio decreased with increasing temperature, they were not significantly affected by moisture and its interaction with temperature. In general, the concentrations of fungal PLFAs were smaller at higher temperatures, but not altered by changes in moisture. In contrast, the concentrations of bacterial PLFAs were larger at higher temperatures and moderate moisture contents. Although we manipulated temperature and moisture in the incubation, the treatments and the treatment‐altered soil properties (dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and inorganic nitrogen (ION)) together explained 18% of the total variation in selected PLFA signatures and the temperature effect contributed the most (12%). Significant correlations between community composition variables (F, B and F/B) and soil properties (DOC and ION) indicated substantive indirect effects of temperature and moisture on the composition of the soil microbial community by altering substrate availability. Our results suggest that soil microbial communities might shift towards a more bacteria‐dominated composition under warmer temperatures and moderate moisture conditions in subtropical forest regions.Highlights
How do temperature and moisture independently and interactively affect soil microbial community composition?
Concentrations of bacterial PLFAs were larger at higher temperatures and moderate moisture.
Concentrations of fungal PLFAs were smaller at higher temperatures, but did not respond to moisture differences.
Increased soil carbon and nitrogen availability mainly benefitted bacteria under higher temperatures and moderate moisture.
Asynchrony among local communities stabilises ecosystem function of metacommunities
Authors: Wilcox Kevin R. , Tredennick Andrew T. , Koerner Sally E. , Grman Emily , Hallett Lauren M. , Avolio Meghan L. , La Pierre Kimberly J. , Houseman Gregory R. , Isbell Forest , Johnson David Samuel , Alatalo Juha M. , Baldwin Andrew H. , Bork Edward W. , Boughton Elizabeth H. , Bowman William D. , Britton Andrea J. , Cahill James F. , Collins Scott L. , Du Guozhen , Eskelinen Anu , Gough Laura , Jentsch Anke , Kern Christel , Klanderud Kari , Knapp Alan K. , Kreyling Juergen , Luo Yiqi , McLaren Jennie R. , Megonigal Patrick , Onipchenko Vladimir , Prevéy Janet , Price Jodi N. , Robinson Clare H. , Sala Osvaldo E. , Smith Melinda D. , Soudzilovskaia Nadejda A. , Souza Lara , Tilman David , White Shannon R. , Xu Zhuwen , Yahdjian Laura , Yu Qiang , Zhang Pengfei , Zhang Yunhai 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTemporal stability of ecosystem functioning increases the predictability and reliability of ecosystem services, and understanding the drivers of stability across spatial scales is important for land management and policy decisions. We used species‐level abundance data from 62 plant communities across five continents to assess mechanisms of temporal stability across spatial scales. We assessed how asynchrony (i.e. different units responding dissimilarly through time) of species and local communities stabilised metacommunity ecosystem function. Asynchrony of species increased stability of local communities, and asynchrony among local communities enhanced metacommunity stability by a wide range of magnitudes (1–315%); this range was positively correlated with the size of the metacommunity. Additionally, asynchronous responses among local communities were linked with species’ populations fluctuating asynchronously across space, perhaps stemming from physical and/or competitive differences among local communities. Accordingly, we suggest spatial heterogeneity should be a major focus for maintaining the stability of ecosystem services at larger spatial scales.
Climate drivers of diatom distribution in shallow subarctic lakes
Authors: Rantala Marttiina V. , Luoto Tomi P. , Weckström Jan , Rautio Milla , Nevalainen Liisa 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Global warming can induce profound changes to the functioning of northern freshwater ecosystems. Diatom (Bacillariophyceae) communities often provide early warning signs of associated ecological regime shifts, responding sensitively to alterations in underwater light climate, nutrient regimes, habitat availability and lake water acid–base balance. The underlying mechanisms are manifold and may be mediated via direct climate impact on the physical and chemical properties of lakes or via changes in the terrestrial environment and catchment‐lake coupling.

To address catchment‐mediated climate effects on diatom community composition, spatial diatom distribution in the surface sediments of 31 subarctic treeline lakes displaying a broad gradient in terrestrial dissolved organic matter (tDOM) was contrasted with limnological indices of light climate, nutrient availability and lake water pH. To evaluate direct and indirect climate impacts on the long‐term development of benthic phototrophic communities at the subarctic treeline, fossil diatom assemblages in the sediments of a shallow oligotrophic lake were examined against established temperature variability and inferences of terrestrial influence over the past 600 years. The regional lake set was used to test local calibration models for reconstructing dissolved organic carbon as well as lake water pH that is a fundamental environmental determinant for diatom distribution and may echo temperature variability in dilute lakes.

Across the treeline, lake water pH imposed primary control over the benthic‐dominated surface sediment diatom communities. The pH influence was connected to catchment geomorphology, soils and vegetation cover and, together with habitat controls, largely superseded tDOM impact on underwater light attenuation and nutrient levels. Similarly, temporal changes in diatom distribution in the sediment core appeared to be relatively little affected by tDOM variability. The species shifts were subtle yet occurred in distinct synchrony with centennial temperature fluctuations, attributed to changing length of the ice cover period and associated effects on lake water chemistry, nutrient regimes and physical habitats.

Our results suggest that diatom flora in shallow lakes at the subarctic Fennoscandian treeline may be comparatively resilient towards climate‐driven changes in terrestrial carbon and nutrient fluxes. Diatom communities in poorly buffered lakes may, however, be susceptible to catchment greening and changes in hydrology through effects on lake water acid–base balance. While diatom responses in the sediment sequence were subtle, the palaeolimnological record indicates that periphytic diatom communities in shallow oligotrophic subarctic lakes may be sensitive to the effects of global warming.
Invisible Punishment is Wrong – But Why? The Normative Basis of Criticism of Collateral Consequences of Criminal Conviction
Authors: BENNETT CHRISTOPHER 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis article is concerned with the way in which criminal justice systems cause harms that go well beyond the ‘headline’ punishment announced at sentencing. This is the phenomenon of ‘collateral consequences of criminal conviction’. This phenomenon has been widely criticised in recent criminological literature. However, the critics do not normally explore or defend the normative basis of their claims – as they need to if their arguments are to strike home against sceptics. I argue that the normative basis of the critics’ position should be seen as involving important normative claims about the responsibilities that societies have towards those who break the law. Some important strands of criticism, I claim, rest on the view that we have associative duties towards offenders (and their dependants and communities) as fellow participants in a collective democratic enterprise, duties that are violated when states impose, or allow, harms that go significantly beyond the sentence.