bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wolves at the crossroad: Fission–fusion range biogeography in the Western Carpathians and Central Europe
Authors: Hulva Pavel , Černá Bolfíková Barbora , Woznicová Vendula , Jindřichová Milena , Benešová Markéta , Mysłajek Robert W. , Nowak Sabina , Szewczyk Maciej , Niedźwiecka Natalia , Figura Michał , Hájková Andrea , Sándor Atilla D. , Zyka Vladimír , Romportl Dušan , Kutal Miroslav , Finďo Slavomír , Antal Vladimír 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimPopulation fragmentation represents a leitmotif of conservation biology, but the impact of population reconnection is less well studied. The recent recolonization of large carnivores in Europe is a good model for studying this phenomenon. We aim to show novel data regarding distribution and population genetic structure of the grey wolf in Central Europe, a region considered a frequent crossroad and contact zone of different phylogeographic lineages, in a biogeographic context.LocationWestern Carpathians, Central Europe.MethodsIn concordance with the presumption of a highly mobile mammal, individual‐based Bayesian clustering and a posteriori definition of populations were used. Integrating the frameworks of landscape genetics and biogeography enabled the identification of transitions in population architecture. These patterns could be ascribed to isolating factors based on historical knowledge about species demography.ResultsGenetic differentiation mirrors population isolation and recognized environmental clusters, suggesting ecotypic variation. The east–west split in the Western Carpathians likely represents the signature of range fragmentation during bottlenecks in the 20th century. Mitochondrial variability is more depleted than nuclear variability, indicating founder‐flush demography. Microsatellites show finer‐scale differentiation in the Carpathians compared to the European plain, corresponding to topographic heterogeneity. Long‐range dispersal of a Carpathian wolf (ca. 300 km), the establishment of enclaves originated from the lowland population and admixture with mountain wolves were ascertained, indicating a population fraction producing large‐scale gene flow.Main conclusionCarpathian wolves are characterized by periods of population and range decline due to eradication, facilitating refugial role of alpine habitats and peripatric effects, followed by expansions and fusions probably caused by forest transition, population adaptation and efforts in conservation management. New occurrence and hybridization events predict further contacts between formerly isolated populations, with potential opposing effects of heterosis and outbreeding depression. Population recovery might be hindered due to isolation by environment and anthropogenic impacts.
Appropriate use criteria for transthoracic echocardiography: Are they relevant to European centers?
Authors: Kerley Robert N. , Thornton Kenneth P. , Kelly Raymond M. , O'Flynn Siun 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundThere is a growing interest in appropriate use criteria (AUC) for cardiovascular imaging referrals in Europe. These criteria, developed by American subspecialty societies, have been in use since 2007 and show a temporal reduction in inappropriate transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) requests. When applied to European centers, inappropriate referral rates as high as 15% have been observed.MethodsA retrospective analysis of TTE referrals for appropriateness and major abnormality detection was conducted over a two‐month period at Cork University Hospital (CUH).ResultsOverall, 1277 requests were assessed, of which 97.7% were classifiable. Of the 1235 classifiable studies, 1049 (84.9%) were appropriate, 135 (10.9%) were inappropriate, and 51 (4.1%) were uncertain. Main indications were the evaluation of cardiac structure and function (496, 40.2%), hypertension, heart failure or cardiomyopathy (349, 28.3%), and valvular function (228, 18.5%). Inappropriate referral rates were significantly higher for outpatients compared to inpatients (13.8% vs 7.1%, P < .05) and cardiologist referrals compared to noncardiologists (13.1 vs 8.0%, P < .05), while one in three requests for the evaluation of valvular function (32.5%) were inappropriate. Compared to inappropriate studies, appropriate and uncertain scans had a greater prevalence of ≥1 major abnormalities (33.6% vs 19.3%, P < .001) and greater detection rates of new abnormalities (27.6% vs 13.3%, P < .001).ConclusionApplication of the 2011 AUC yields similar results to those reported from the US. The application of said criteria to our center could avoid one of every ten scans currently ordered.
Mechanisms of proton relay and product release by Class A β‐lactamase at ultrahigh resolution
Authors: Lewandowski Eric M. , Lethbridge Kathryn G. , Sanishvili Ruslan , Skiba Joanna , Kowalski Konrad , Chen Yu 
Published: November 2017

The β‐lactam antibiotics inhibit penicillin‐binding proteins (PBPs) by forming a stable, covalent, acyl‐enzyme complex. During the evolution from PBPs to Class A β‐lactamases, the β‐lactamases acquired Glu166 to activate a catalytic water and cleave the acyl‐enzyme bond. Here we present three product complex crystal structures of CTX‐M‐14 Class A β‐lactamase with a ruthenocene‐conjugated penicillin—a 0.85 Å resolution structure of E166A mutant complexed with the penilloate product, a 1.30 Å resolution complex structure of the same mutant with the penicilloate product, and a 1.18 Å resolution complex structure of S70G mutant with a penicilloate product epimer—shedding light on the catalytic mechanisms and product inhibition of PBPs and Class A β‐lactamases. The E166A–penilloate complex captured the hydrogen bonding network following the protonation of the leaving group and, for the first time, unambiguously show that the ring nitrogen donates a proton to Ser130, which in turn donates a proton to Lys73. These observations indicate that in the absence of Glu166, the equivalent lysine would be neutral in PBPs and therefore capable of serving as the general base to activate the catalytic serine. Together with previous results, this structure suggests a common proton relay network shared by Class A β‐lactamases and PBPs, from the catalytic serine to the lysine, and ultimately to the ring nitrogen. Additionally, the E166A–penicilloate complex reveals previously unseen conformational changes of key catalytic residues during the release of the product, and is the first structure to capture the hydrolyzed product in the presence of an unmutated catalytic serine.DatabaseStructural data are available in the PDB database under the accession numbers 5TOP, 5TOY, and 5VLE
Commercial alkaline earth boroaluminosilicate glasses for sealing solid oxide cell stacks. Part II: Characterization of devitrification and glass‐ceramic phase assemblages
Authors: Agersted Karsten , Balic‐Zunic Tonci 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe devitrification process and formation of crystalline phases from commercial alkaline earth boroaluminosilicate glasses containing 48‐61 mol% SiO2, 18‐28 mol% CaO, 1‐7 mol% MgO, 7‐10 mol% Al2O3, 1‐11 mol% B2O3 plus minor amounts of Na2O, K2O, FeO, and TiO2 were quantified through analysis of phase assemblages as function of heat treatments above the glass transition temperatures, using the electron microprobe and powder X‐ray diffraction. Treatments at 800 and 850°C lasted up to 6 weeks. Results indicate that devitrification was strongly activated through presence of heterogeneous nucleation, and that the growth mechanism gradually changed from three‐dimensional growth at the onset of devitrification toward one‐dimensional growth in later stages, when heterogeneous nucleation was absent or less dominating. Most glasses developed entangled and fibrous microstructures with little or no residual glass phase, which are adequate for rigid sealants, and only one of the laboratory analogue glasses, MCAS, developed microstructures with both more equiaxed grains and a considerable amount of residual glass phase, which may be adequate for more compliant and self‐healing sealants as often required in SOC‐applications. Even though the glasses lie within a relatively narrow compositional range, resulting phase assemblages differed significantly. Anorthite (plagioclase) developed as the main crystalline phase in all samples together with pyroxene (or pyroxenoide) and cristobalite. Calcium‐magnesium‐silicate pyroxene (diopside) was in a large part replaced by the calcium‐silicate pyroxenoid (wollastonite) in the samples where the mol‐proportion MgO:CaO was 1:5 or lower. In samples with a very low MgO proportion and consequently a high CaO proportion, calcium metaborate and calcium aluminum borosilicate (okayamalite) crystallized among the main phases and these glasses crystallized completely within the period of heat treatment. Although cristobalite is metastable at the annealing temperatures, both α and β forms were rapidly formed in most of the samples, likely due to kinetic reasons. The presence of the latter is explained by the stabilization effect of Al and B substitution for Si compensated by Ca stuffing in the structure. The stuffed cristobalite transformed with time to quartz (at 800°C) or quartz plus tridymite (at 850°C). Boron was incorporated in the first crystallizing phases, especially diopside, substituting for Al and Si, but the so established substitution partly disappeared with time during the heat treatment.
Smart phone accessibility and mHealth use in a limited resource setting
Authors: Garner Shelby L. , Sudia Tanya , Rachaprolu Spurgeon 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimTo determine smartphone access and use including future opportunities for mHealth and potential ethical implications among health care professionals practicing at a health care facility in Bengaluru, India.BackgroundThe evolution of smart phones can provide convenient, portable, and rapid access to resources for health care professionals. While mobile phone accessibility has improved in recent years in many low and middle‐income countries, the use of smart phones to address health priorities remains limited in some limited resource settings.DesignA quantitative descriptive design was used.MethodsA survey was administered in November of 2016 to nurses and physicians at a tertiary care hospital in India.Results/FindingsAll respondents had a mobile phone, and the majority owned a smart phone that was used for text messaging, email, accessing internet, and downloading apps. Participants recommended smart phone use to improve health care provider access to continuing education and to improve patient knowledge about health. Physicians had better access to mHealth resources compared with nurses.ConclusionCredible, evidence‐based, affordable mobile applications are needed to provide a platform for continuing health education to health professionals and patients in India and limited resource settings. Nurses need equitable access to mHealth resources to build successful mHealth initiatives.
CaTiO3 induced ferroelectric phase coexistence and low temperature dielectric relaxation in BaTiO3–BaZrO3 ceramics
Authors: Sutapun Manoon , Charoonsuk Thitirat , Kolodiazhnyi Taras , Vittayakorn Naratip 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe series of 0.86BaTiO3–(0.14−x)BaZrO3–xCaTiO3 (abbreviated as BT–BZ–xCT) ceramics with 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.11 were studied to obtain high piezoelectric properties. Rietveld refinement analysis indicated that the BT–BZ–CT compositions follow a gradual rhombohedral (R) → orthorhombic (O) + R → O + tetragonal (T) → T phase transformation with increasing x. Clear evidence of the series of ferroelectric phase transitions was also found in the dielectric results. The R‐O and O‐T transition temperature shifted close to ambient temperature, while the Curie temperature slightly increased with increasing x. In addition to the dielectric loss peaks associated with the structural phase transitions, a broad low‐temperature dielectric loss peak was detected in the R phase at T = 90‐150 K. This dielectric relaxation was attributed to the domain wall freezing and fits well to the Vogel‐Fulcher model with activation energy Ea ≈ 60‐300 meV and freezing temperature TVF ≈ 75‐140 K. High piezoelectric strain coefficient (d33*) of about 1030 pm/V at 10 kV was achieved at x = 0.07, and a high Curie temperature (TC) was maintained at about 375 K.
Role of PI3K in myocardial ischaemic preconditioning: mapping pro‐survival cascades at the trigger phase and at reperfusion
Authors: Rossello Xavier , Riquelme Jaime A , Davidson Sean M , Yellon Derek M 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe Reperfusion Injury Salvage Kinase (RISK) pathway is considered the main pro‐survival kinase cascade mediating the ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) cardioprotective effect. To assess the role of PI3K‐Akt, its negative regulator PTEN and other pro‐survival proteins such as ERK and STAT3 in the context of IPC, C57BL/6 mouse hearts were retrogradely perfused in a Langendorff system and subjected to 4 cycles of 5 min. ischaemia and 5 min. reperfusion prior to 35 min. of global ischaemia and 120 min. of reperfusion. Wortmannin, a PI3K inhibitor, was administered either at the stabilization period or during reperfusion. Infarct size was assessed using triphenyl tetrazolium staining, and phosphorylation levels of Akt, PTEN, ERK, GSK3β and STAT3 were evaluated using Western blot analyses. IPC reduced infarct size in hearts subjected to lethal ischaemia and reperfusion, but this effect was lost in the presence of Wortmannin, whether it was present only during preconditioning or only during early reperfusion. IPC increased the levels of Akt phosphorylation during both phases and this effect was fully abrogated by PI3K, whilst its downstream GSK3β was phosphorylated only during the trigger phase after IPC. Both PTEN and STAT3 were phosphorylated during both phases after IPC, but this was PI3K independent. IPC increases ERK phosphorylation during both phases, being only PI3K‐dependent during the IPC phase. In conclusion, PI3K‐Akt plays a major role in IPC‐induced cardioprotection. However, PTEN, ERK and STAT3 are also phosphorylated by IPC through a PI3K‐independent pathway, suggesting that cardioprotection is mediated through more than one cell signalling cascade.
Horizontal and vertical distribution of sea lice larvae (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) in and around salmon farms in the Bay of Fundy, Canada
Authors: Nelson E J , Robinson S M C , Feindel N , Sterling A , Byrne A , Pee Ang K 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe sea louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, is parasitic to salmonid species in the Northern Hemisphere and has become a widespread biological and economic problem for the salmon farming industry. A better understanding is needed of their spatial distribution and early life history to disrupt the life cycle of the sea louse. In this study, sea lice larval densities within salmon farms, between salmon farms and reference sites, and at various depths were quantified using both plankton pumps and plankton nets. Farm sites exhibited significantly higher densities than reference sites; however, these densities dropped an order of magnitude at a distance of 100 m from the cages. The majority of the larvae captured in the study were nauplii (93%), and densities ranged from 0 to 10 larvae/m3. Free‐swimming sea lice larvae were found to exhibit a diel cycle where nauplii larvae were in deeper waters (10–17 m) during the day and in surface waters (1–6 m) during the night. The results of this study suggest that the early life‐history stages of sea lice originate from and may remain close to active salmon farms, creating a self‐sustaining population.
An overview of cleaner fish use in Ireland
Authors: Bolton‐Warberg M 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSea lice infestations represent one of the most significant challenges facing the salmon farming industry, giving rise to lost production, additional costs of treatment and potential negative interactions with wild stocks. At present, cleaner fish, which actively remove lice from salmon, are an effective, biological, long‐term option which has been adopted by many countries. In Ireland, several key studies were conducted in the 1990s on the use of wild‐caught wrasse (corkwing, goldsinny and rock cook) as cleaner fish in experimental and commercial scale trials. More recently, the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), at their marine research facility in Carna (CRS), has undertaken applied research on ballan wrasse and lumpsucker. Currently, CRS is providing lumpsucker juveniles and research and development for the Irish salmon industry with support from BIM (Ireland's Seafood Development Agency) and Marine Harvest Ireland. There is a large amount of research currently being carried out in this area in all countries that are utilizing cleaner fish technology. The current focus in Ireland is the development of a native lumpsucker broodstock to facilitate its sustainable production. The aim of this article was to provide an overview of the research, challenges and use of cleaner fish in Ireland.
Swim bladder mycosis in pretty tetra (Hemigrammus pulcher) caused by Exophiala pisciphila and Phaeophleospora hymenocallidicola, and experimental verification of pathogenicity
Authors: Řehulka J , Kubátová A , Hubka V 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSpontaneous invasive and chronic disseminated mycosis affected Hemigrammus pulcher kept in a public aquarium, and infection was manifested by inappetence, exophthalmia, erratic swimming, eroded scales, anaemia of the gills and abdominal distension. Internally, there was a grossly swollen swim bladder with a thickened wall filled with a dark mass. The body cavities contained a clear, light amber fluid and a swollen intestine which was full of a watery fluid containing small gas bubbles. Histopathology revealed a granulomatous inflammatory response with fungal hyphae in the lumen and wall of the swim bladder, hepatopancreas, spleen and kidneys with signs of nephrohydrosis. Exophiala pisciphila and Phaeophleospora hymenocallidicola were isolated from the swim bladder, abdominal cavity and gastrointestinal tract. The exogenous source of infection was probably the ample wooden decoration and plants inside the aquarium. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by re‐isolation of both fungal species from fish artificially infected under laboratory conditions. As P. hymenocallidicola is less capable of defence against phagocytosis, E. pisciphila probably played a major role. Severe clinical manifestations with 100% mortality developed in two fish species infected by E. pisciphila. A significant increase in the plasma levels of amino acids was observed as a result of the activation of proteolysis.
Identification and characterization of two variants of the Hfq‐sRNA‐chaperone in the fish pathogen Piscirickettsia salmonis
Authors: Marshall S H , Flores‐Herrera P , Henríquez F A , Gómez F A 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSmall RNA and chaperone proteins form synergistic duos that play pivotal roles in controlling gene expression in bacteria. This is the case for Hfq, a highly pleiotropic pretranslational modulator of general protein expression, which responds to harsh environmental conditions and influences fitness and virulence in a wide range of pathogenic Enterobacteria. Given this relevancy, we evaluated the presence and potential role of Hfq in the fish pathogen Piscirickettsia salmonis, a Gram‐negative bacterium that threatens the sustainability of Chilean salmon production. Using bioinformatics tools were identified and characterized two variants of Hfq, which share the consensus RNA‐binding domains and the active sites described functional Hfq other bacteria. Additionally, we demonstrated that hfq‐1 and hfq‐2 were transcriptionally active when growing in cell‐free media and in infected susceptible fish cell line. Expression of both genes differed under different growth conditions and under stress, suggesting that their roles might be independent and different, depending on the bacterial physiological status. In conclusion, we demonstrate the existence of two different and functional ORF coding for the hfq marker in marine bacteria and a preliminary analysis indicating that these two novel proteins might have relevant roles in the biology and pathogenic potential of P. salmonis.
Multicenter study of endoscopic preoperative biliary drainage for malignant hilar biliary obstruction: E‐POD hilar study
Authors: Nakai Yousuke , Yamamoto Ryuichi , Matsuyama Masato , Sakai Yuji , Takayama Yukiko , Ushio Jun , Ito Yukiko , Kitamura Katsuya , Ryozawa Shomei , Imamura Tsunao , Tsuchida Kouhei , Hayama Jo , Itoi Takao , Kawaguchi Yoshiaki , Yoshida Yu , Sugimori Kazuya , Shimura Kenji , Mizuide Masafumi , Iwai Tomohisa , Nishikawa Ko , Yagioka Hiroshi , Nagahama Masatsugu , Toda Nobuo , Saito Tomotaka , Yasuda Ichiro , Hirano Kenji , Togawa Osamu , Nakamura Kenji , Maetani Iruru , Sasahira Naoki , Isayama Hiroyuki 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackground and AimEndoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) is often recommended in preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) for hilar malignant biliary obstruction (MBO), but endoscopic biliary stent (EBS) is also used in the clinical practice. We conducted this large‐scale multicenter study to compare ENBD and EBS in this setting.MethodsA total of 374 cases undergoing PBD including 281 ENBD and 76 EBS for hilar MBO in 29 centers were retrospectively studied.ResultsExtrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC) accounted for 69.8% and Bismuth–Corlette classification was III or more in 58.8% of the study population. Endoscopic PBD was technically successful in 94.6%, and adverse event rate was 21.9%. The rate of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis was 16.0%, and non‐endoscopic sphincterotomy was the only risk factor (odds ratio [OR] 2.51). Preoperative re‐intervention was performed in 61.5%: planned re‐interventions in 48.4% and unplanned re‐interventions in 31.0%. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was placed in 6.4% at the time of surgery. The risk factors for unplanned procedures were ECC (OR 2.64) and total bilirubin ≥ 10 mg/dL (OR 2.18). In surgically resected cases, prognostic factors were ECC (hazard ratio [HR] 0.57), predraiange magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (HR 1.62) and unplanned re‐interventions (HR 1.81). EBS was not associated with increased adverse events, unplanned re‐interventions, or a poor prognosis.ConclusionsOur retrospective analysis did not demonstrate the advantage of ENBD over EBS as the initial PBD for resectable hilar MBO. Although the technical success rate of endoscopic PBD was high, its re‐intervention rate was not negligible, and unplanned re‐intervention was associated with a poor prognosis in resected hilar MBO.