bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aggression supersedes individual oxygen demand to drive group air‐breathing in a social catfish
Authors: Killen Shaun S. , Esbaugh Andrew J. , F. Martins Nicolas , Tadeu Rantin F. , McKenzie David J. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractGroup‐living is widespread among animals and comes with numerous costs and benefits. To date, research examining group‐living has focused on trade‐offs surrounding foraging, while other forms of resource acquisition have been largely overlooked.Air‐breathing has evolved in many fish lineages, allowing animals to obtain oxygen in hypoxic aquatic environments. Breathing air increases the threat of predation, so some species perform group air‐breathing, to reduce individual risk. Within species, individual air‐breathing can be influenced by metabolic rate as well as personality, but the mechanisms of group air‐breathing remain unexplored. It is conceivable that keystone individuals with high metabolic demand or intrinsic tendency to breathe air may drive social breathing, especially in hypoxia.We examined social air‐breathing in African sharptooth catfishClarias gariepinus, to determine whether individual physiological traits and spontaneous tendency to breathe air influence the behaviour of entire groups, and whether such influences vary in relation to aquatic oxygen availability.We studied 11 groups of four catfish in a laboratory arena and recorded air‐breathing behaviour, activity and agonistic interactions at varying levels of hypoxia. Bimodal respirometry was used to estimate individual standard metabolic rate (SMR) and the tendency to utilize aerial oxygen when alone.Fish took more air breaths in groups as compared to when they were alone, regardless of water oxygen content, and displayed temporally clustered air‐breathing behaviour, consistent with existing definitions of synchronous air‐breathing. However, groups displayed tremendous variability in surfacing behaviour. Aggression by dominant individuals within groups was the main factor influencing air‐breathing of the entire group. There was no association between individualSMR, or the tendency to obtain oxygen from air when in isolation, and group air‐breathing.ForC. gariepinus, synchronous air‐breathing is strongly influenced by agonistic interactions, which may expose subordinate individuals to risk of predation. Influential individuals exerted an overriding effect on risk‐taking by the entire group, for reasons independent of their physiological oxygen requirements. Overall, this illustrates that social context can obscure interactions between an individual's physiological and behavioural traits and their tendency to take risks to obtain resources.
Review: Allee effects in social species
Authors: Angulo Elena , Luque Gloria M. , Gregory Stephen D. , Wenzel John W. , Bessa‐Gomes Carmen , Berec Ludek , Courchamp Franck 
Published: September 2017

Abstract

Allee effects have important implications for many aspects of basic and applied ecology. The benefits of aggregation of conspecific individuals are central to Allee effects, which have led to the widely held assumption that social species are more prone to Allee effects. Robust evidence for this assumption, however, remains rare. Furthermore, previous research on Allee effects has failed to adequately address the consequences of the different levels of organisation within social species’ populations.

Here, we review available evidence of Allee effects and model the role of demographic and behavioural factors that may combine to dampen or strengthen Allee effects in social species. We use examples across various species with contrasting social structure, including carnivores, bats, primates and eusocial insects. Building on this, we provide a conceptual framework that allows for the integration of different Allee effects in social species.

Social species are characterised by nested levels of organisation. The benefits of cooperation, measured by mean individual fitness, can be observed at both the population and group levels, giving rise to “population level” and “group level” Allee effects respectively. We also speculate on the possibility of a third level, reporting per capita benefits for different individuals within a group (e.g. castes in social insects).

We show that group size heterogeneity and intergroup interactions affect the strength of population‐level demographic Allee effects. Populations with higher group size heterogeneity and in which individual social groups cooperate demonstrate the weakest Allee effects and may thus provide an explanation for why extinctions due to Allee effects are rare in social species.

More adequately accounting for Allee effects in social species will improve our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary implications of cooperation in social species.
A re‐evaluation of hemispheric asymmetries in herbivory: a response to Kozlov & Klemola 2017
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Zhang Yuxin , Ma Keming 
Published: September 2017

Summary

Kozlov & Klemola (Journal of Ecology, 105, 2017: 000‐000) argued that our conclusion about hemispheric asymmetries in herbivory is not supported after the replacement of data points extracted from Moles & Westoby (Oikos, 90, 2000: 517–524.).

To re‐evaluate the asymmetries in herbivory, we analysed the revised dataset according to Kozlov & Klemola's (2017) suggestion, as well as the dataset used in Kozlov et al. (Global Ecology and Biogeography, 24, 2015: 1126–1135.).

All the analyses showed that herbivory decreased with latitude only in the Northern hemisphere, but in the Southern hemisphere, herbivory showed no relation to latitude. Model selection showed that in both datasets, hemisphere is a key determinant of herbivory, with Southern hemisphere having higher levels of herbivory than the Northern hemisphere.

Synthesis. Based on currently available data collected from publications, we found evidence for hemispheric asymmetries in herbivory. This conclusion is unlikely to change even when the controversial data points are replaced.
On the Islamic authority of the Indonesian state: responsibility, suspicion, and acts of compliance
Authors: Long Nicholas J. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis article examines how the Indonesian state's efforts to style itself as an Islamic authority have influenced the behaviour of its Muslim citizens. I present cases in which Muslims in Indonesia's Riau Islands comply with Islamic state directives in order to transfer responsibility for their actions to the state, showing how such a mode of practice can support Islamic governmentality, bolster nationalism, and constrain civic activism. Interestingly, compliance may occur even when citizens harbour deep misgivings towards a directive, leading me to query whether suspicion is necessarily inimical to authority. I conclude that a pronouncement's Islamic authority hinges on how Muslims relate to their suspicions regarding it, and that, for Riau Islanders, suspicion's urgency has been tempered by cultural models of personhood, individual subjectivity, and the moral murk of post‐Suharto Indonesia.
Pentecostal peacefulness: virtue ethics and the reception of theology in Nepal
Authors: Gibson Ian 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe anthropology of Christianity has struggled to theorize the place of theology in Christian social life. Drawing on Alasdair MacIntyre's account of virtue ethics, in particular his concepts of practice, narrative, and moral tradition, I explore the reception of Pentecostal theology in the Nepali city of Bhaktapur. I show how local Christians have drawn on Pentecostal eschatology to develop a pacifistic ethics, allowing them to negotiate local social and religious conflicts. The belief that Christ has decisively defeated evil spirits allows local Christians to detach themselves from cycles of aggression connected with witchcraft accusations, providing a space of security in which to cultivate distinctive practices of care. Connecting this local theology with a wider tradition in Pentecostal moral thought, I argue that MacIntyre's virtue ethics provides a powerful tool for interpreting the relationship between local circumstance and extra‐local theology, and for studying cross‐cultural patterns of theological reception.
BaitsTools: Software for hybridization capture bait design
Authors: Campana Michael G. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNucleic acid hybridization capture is a principal technology in molecular ecology and genomics. Bait design, however, is a nontrivial task and few resources currently exist to automate the process. Here, I present baitstools, an open‐source, user‐friendly software package to facilitate the design of nucleic acid baits for hybridization capture.
A comparative in vitro study of different techniques for removal of fibre posts from root canals
Authors: Haupt Franziska , Pfitzner Jana , Hülsmann Michael 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis study evaluates the effectiveness of different techniques to remove fibre posts from root filled teeth in vitro. One hundred and fifty‐three extracted single‐rooted teeth were decoronated, root‐canal treated and divided into three groups (n = 51). Post spaces were prepared for different types of fibre posts: glass fibre, quartz fibre, carbon fibre. Each group was divided into three subgroups with regard to the post removal technique (n = 17): SonicFlex Endo, long‐shaft round bur, DT‐Post removal kit. Residual material, loss of dentine, working time and procedural errors were assessed using computed tomography. Statistical analysis was performed with a one‐way anova (α = 0.05). The highest effectiveness was achieved with the sonic tip and the round bur. A high prevalence of perforations or severe deviations from the root axis was observed for all groups. No technique presented favourable results in all assessed parameters. There is a high risk of perforations.
Influence of different sized files on the accuracy of two electronic apex locators
Authors: Orosco Fernando A. , da Silva Guilherme F. , Weckwerth Paulo H. , Lopes Maria Thereza M. , Garcia Alan M. R. , Duarte Marco Antônio H. , de Moraes Ivaldo G. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different file sizes on the accuracy of two electronic apex locators (EALs). Thirty extracted human single‐rooted permanent mandibular incisors were used. A #10 K‐file was inserted in the root canal until its end could be observed (using a light microscope) through the apical foramen. One millimetre was subtracted to establish working length (WL). Electronic readings were performed using MiniApex Locator or Root ZX II, from #10 K‐file to #130 K‐file. Statistical analysis was performed by two‐way anova and Tukey test (P ≤ 0.05). From #60 to #130 K‐file, observed differences were noted between the values obtained with both EALs and WL (P ≤ 0.05). The MiniApex Locator showed increased means when measurements were made with #50 to #70 and with #120 (P = 0.008) and #130 (P = 0.005) K‐files. File sizes influenced the accuracy of EALs – the greater the instrumentation size, the higher mean differences compared to WL.
Proteinase‐activated receptor‐2 blockade inhibits changes seen in a chronic murine asthma model
Authors: Asaduzzaman M. , Davidson C. , Nahirney D. , Fiteih Y. , Puttagunta L. , Vliagoftis H. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundProteinase‐Activated Receptor‐2 (PAR2) is a G protein‐coupled receptor activated by serine proteinases. We have shown that PAR2 activation in the airways is involved in the development of allergic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in acute murine models. We hypothesized that functional inhibition of PAR2 prevents allergic inflammation, AHR and airway remodeling in chronic allergic airway inflammation models.Material and MethodsWe developed and used a 12 week model of cockroach extract (CE)‐mediated AHR, airway inflammation and remodeling in BALB/c mice.ResultsMice sensitized and challenged with CE for 12 weeks exhibit AHR, increased numbers of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and increased collagen content in the lung tissue compared to saline controls. Administration of an anti‐PAR2 antibody, SAM‐11, after the initial development of airway inflammation significantly inhibited all these parameters.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that PAR2 signaling plays a key role in CE‐induced AHR and airway inflammation/remodeling in long term models of allergic airway inflammation. Targeting PAR2 activation may be a successful therapeutic strategy for allergic asthma.
Neonatal BCG vaccination and atopic dermatitis before 13 months of age: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Thøstesen L. M. , Kjærgaard J. , Pihl G. T. , Birk N. M. , Nissen T. N. , Aaby P. , Jensen A. K. G. , Olesen A. W. , Stensballe L. G. , Jeppesen D. L. , Benn C. S. , Kofoed P.‐E. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundStudies have suggested that Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) vaccination may reduce the risk of allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis.MethodsThe Danish Calmette Study was conducted 2012‐2015. Within 7 days of birth new‐borns were randomised 1:1 to BCG or no BCG. Exclusion criteria were gestational age <32 weeks, birth weight <1000 g, known immunodeficiency or no Danish‐speaking parent. Data were collected through telephone interviews and clinical examinations until 13 months.ResultsClinical atopic dermatitis was diagnosed in 466/2,052 (22.7%) children in the BCG group and 495/1,952 (25.4%) children in the control group (RR = 0.90 [95% confidence intervals 0.80‐1.00]). The effect of neonatal BCG vaccination differed significantly between children with atopic predisposition (RR 0.84 (0.74‐0.95)) and children without atopic predisposition (RR 1.09 [0.88‐1.37]) (test of no interaction, P = .04).ConclusionAmong children with atopic predisposition, the number‐needed‐to‐treat with BCG to prevent one case of atopic dermatitis was 21 (12‐76).
Serine protease allergen favours Th2 responses via PAR‐2 and STAT3 activation in murine model
Authors: Agrawal K. , Arora N. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundProtease activity of Per a 10 favours Th2 responses by differential regulation of IL‐12p70 and IL‐23 cytokine subunits. This study aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of differential regulation of IL‐12p70 and IL‐23.MethodsPAR‐2 activation was blocked in murine model by administering SAM11 before each sensitization. CD11c+ p‐STAT3+ cells were measured in lungs by flow cytometry. BMDCs were pretreated with SAM11 or isotype control or stattic and stimulated with Per a 10. p‐STAT3 levels were measured using Western blot. Transcript levels of IL‐12p35, IL‐12/23p40 and IL‐23p19 were measured using RT‐PCR. Cytokine levels were analysed using ELISA.ResultsProtease activity of Per a 10 increased p‐STAT3 levels in mouse lungs, which was reduced upon PAR‐2 blockage. Percentage of p‐STAT3+ CD11c+ cells was higher in Per a 10‐administered mice and was reduced upon PAR‐2 blockage. IL‐12p35 and IL‐12p70 levels were higher, and IL‐23p19 and IL‐23 levels were lower in both SAM11‐treated mice and BMDCs indicating a role of PAR‐2‐mediated signalling. IL‐4, TSLP, IL‐17A, EPO activity, total cell count and specific IgE and IgG1 levels were lower in SAM11‐administered mice. Inhibiting STAT3 activation via stattic also leads to lower levels of IL‐23p19 and IL‐23 and higher levels of IL‐12p35.ConclusionsPer a 10 leads to PAR‐2 activation on BMDCs resulting in downstream activation of STAT3 to regulate the balance between IL‐12/IL‐23 subunits causing a cytokine milieu rich in IL‐23 to favour Th2 polarization.
Weekend‐free scheduled IVF/ICSI procedures and single embryo transfer do not reduce live‐birth rates in a general infertile population
Authors: Feichtinger Michael , Karlström Per O. , Olofsson Jan I. , Rodriguez‐Wallberg Kenny A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIntroductionScheduling of ovum pickup only on weekdays may result in cases of apparently suboptimal timing for human chorionic gonadotropin and ovum pickup. This study aimed to assess whether live‐birth rates were reduced in women with a potentially suboptimal day for human chorionic gonadotropin and ovum pickup to avoid weekend work, according to ultrasonographic data on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin planning.Material and methodsAn evaluation of the optimal human chorionic gonadotropin priming date was performed in treatment protocols of 1000 consecutive patients undergoing their first in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmatic sperm injection with single‐embryo transfer. An ideal ovum pickup day was characterized by human chorionic gonadotropin‐scheduling when three or more follicles reached 17 mm (day 0) or with one day of delay (day +1) (n = 760). A non‐ideal ovum pickup was either early (day −1, −2, −3) (n = 24) or delayed (day +2, +3, +4) (n = 216). Live‐birth rates in the ideal and non‐ideal ovum pickup groups was set as primary outcome measure.ResultsEarly‐ovum pickups were excluded as they were infrequent. No differences between ideal and delayed ovum pickup groups were found regarding number of oocytes retrieved (9.87 vs. 9.78, p = 0.990), pregnancy rates (28.3% vs. 29.6%, p = 0.701) or live‐birth rates (26.2% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.939). However, sub analyses indicated that treatment with gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists resulted in significantly lower clinical pregnancy rates in delayed ovum pickups (odds ratio 0.46, p = 0.014), compared with agonist treatments.ConclusionsWeekend work may not be needed for in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmatic sperm injection single‐embryo transfer treatments. However, in gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist cycles, delaying ovum pickup more than one day may result in unfavorable outcomes.
Rho Kinase Inhibitor, Fasudil, Attenuates Contrast‐induced Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Wang Yiming , Zhang Hao , Yang Zhijian , Miao Dengshun , Zhang Dingguo 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn this study, we tested the hypothesis that fasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor, would protect against contrast‐induced acute kidney injury (CI‐AKI) in a mouse model and attempted to elucidate the mechanism involved. Mice subjected to unilateral ligation of the left anterior renal pedicle were divided into four groups: (1) control group, (2) CI‐AKI induced by contrast media (CM group), (3) CI‐AKI plus low‐dose fasudil (LD group) and (4) CI‐AKI plus high‐dose fasudil (HD group). Animals from groups 2–4 received iodixanol (4.0 g iodine/kg), and the control group received saline. At 12, 2 hr before iodixanol injection and 4 hr after iodixanol administration, the animals in groups 3–4 received 3 or 10 mg/kg fasudil, respectively. Renal blood flow, renal function parameters, kidney histology and the expression of proteins that regulates apoptosis and inflammation were determined 24 hr later. Fasudil treatment notably ameliorated contrast medium‐induced medullary damage, restored renal function, suppressed renal tubular apoptosis, ameliorated redox imbalance and DNA damage. Fasudil had a nephroprotective effect that was partially attributed to its anti‐inflammatory, anti‐apoptotic and antioxidant effects of inhibiting the Rho/ROCK pathway.
Increased accuracy of a novel mRNA‐based urine test for bladder cancer surveillance
Authors: Pichler Renate , Fritz Josef , Tulchiner Gennadi , Klinglmair Gerald , Soleiman Afschin , Horninger Wolfgang , Klocker Helmut , Heidegger Isabel 
Published: September 2017

ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the Xpert Bladder Cancer (BC) Monitor, compared with cystoscopy and cytology in the oncological follow‐up of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).Material and MethodsA total of 140 patients with a history of NMIBC undergoing routine surveillance at our institution were enrolled prospectively in this study (ISRCTN study registry number 37210907). Urine cytology was evaluated according to the Paris classification system. In addition, urinary specimens were analysed using the Xpert BC Monitor, which measures five target mRNAs (ABL1, CRH, IGF2, UPK1B, ANXA10) using real‐time PCR. Descriptive analysis, diagnostic accuracy including sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), receiver‐operating characteristic curve, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated.ResultsThe overall sensitivity (0.84) and NPV (0.93) of the Xpert BC Monitor were significantly superior to those of bladder washing cytology (0.33 and 0.76; P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses confirmed the high sensitivity of the Xpert BC Monitor even in low‐grade (0.77) and pTa (0.82) disease compared with barbotage cytology (low‐grade: 0.13; pTa: 0.21). The overall specificity of the Xpert BC Monitor and barbotage cytology was similar (0.91 vs 0.94; P = 0.41). Combining the Xpert BC Monitor with barbotage cytology (AUC = 0.85) did not enhance diagnostic performance compared with the performance of the Xpert BC Monitor alone (AUC = 0.87).ConclusionIn this study, we report for the first time that the Xpert BC Monitor, a new mRNA‐based urine test, outperforms cytology with regard to sensitivity and NPV, even in low‐grade and pTa tumours, with no reduction of specificity.
Adjuvant chemotherapy after radical nephroureterectomy does not improve survival in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a joint study by the European Association of Urology–Young Academic Urologists and the Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Collaboration
Authors: Necchi Andrea , Lo Vullo Salvatore , Mariani Luigi , Moschini Marco , Hendricksen Kees , Rink Michael , Sosnowski Roman , Dobruch Jakub , Raman Jay D. , Wood Christopher G. , Margulis Vitaly , Roupret Morgan , Briganti Alberto , Montorsi Francesco , Xylinas Evanguelos , Shariat Shahrokh F. ,   the European Association of Urology–Young Academic Urologists (EAU–YAU), Urothelial Cancer Group and the Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Collaboration group
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveTo analyse the outcomes of adjuvant chemotherapy vs observation in a multicentre cohort of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in order to clarify whether such patients benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).Patients and MethodsData from 15 centres were collected for a total of 1544 patients, treated between 2000 and 2015. Criteria for patient selection included pT2–4N0/x stage, or lymph node‐positive disease, and prior RNU. The standardized difference approach was used to compare subgroup characteristics. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint. The primary analysis used 1:1 propensity score matching, with inverse probability of treatment weighting in addition to this in the secondary analysis. The latter was also performed with the inclusion of covariates, i.e. with ‘doubly robust’ estimation. A 6‐month landmark analysis was performed to exclude early events.ResultsA total of 312 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and 1232 underwent observation. Despite differences between the two groups, the standardized difference was generally <10% after matching. In the matched analysis no difference was observed in OS between adjuvant chemotherapy and observation (hazard ratio [HR] 1.14, 95% confidence inverval [CI] 0.91–1.43; P = 0.268). In the doubly robust estimate‐adjusted comparison, adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly associated with shorter OS (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02–1.54; P = 0.032). Similar findings were confirmed in subgroup analyses stratified by pathological stage, and after landmark analysis. Results should be interpreted with consideration given to the inherent limitations of retrospective studies.ConclusionAdjuvant chemotherapy did not improve OS compared with observation in the present study. These results contribute to the uncertainties regarding postoperative chemotherapy in UTUC, and suggest dedicated prospective trials, new more potent therapies, and the identification of enhanced patient selection criteria are required.