bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Green light inhibits GnRH‐I expression by stimulating the melatonin‐GnIH pathway in the chick brain
Authors: Zhang L. , Chen F. , Cao J. , Dong Y. , Wang Z. , Hu M. , Chen Y. 
Published: March 2017

To study the mechanism by which monochromatic light affects gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) expression in chicken hypothalamus, a total of 192 newly‐hatched chicks were divided into intact, sham‐operated and pinealectomy groups and exposed to white (WL), red (RL), green (GL) and blue (BL) lights using a light‐emitting diode system for 2 weeks. In the GL intact group, the mRNA and protein levels of GnRH‐I in the hypothalamus, the mean cell area and mean cell optical density (OD) of GnRH‐I‐immunoreactive (‐ir) cells of the nucleus commissurae pallii were decreased by 13.2%‐34.5%, 5.7%‐39.1% and 9.9%‐17.3% compared to those in the chicks exposed to the WL, RL and BL, respectively. GL decreased these factors related to GnRH‐I expression and the effect of GL was not observed in pinealectomised birds. However, the mRNA and protein levels of hypothalamic gonadotrophin‐inhibitory hormone (GnIH) and GnIH receptor (GnIHR), the mean cell area and mean cell OD of the GnIH‐ir cells of the paraventricularis magnocellularis, and the plasma melatonin concentration in the chicks exposed to GL were increased by 18.6%‐49.2%, 21.1%‐60.0% and 8.6%‐30.6% compared to the WL, RL and BL intact groups, respectively. The plasma melatonin concentration showed a negative correlation with GnRH‐I protein and a positive correlation with GnIH and GnIHR proteins. Protein expression of both GnRH‐I and GnIHR showed a negative correlation in the hypothalamus. After pinealectomy, GnRH‐I expression increased, whereas plasma melatonin concentration, GnIH and GnIHR expression decreased, and there were no significant differences among the WL, RL, GL and BL groups. Double‐labelled immunofluorescence showed that GnIH axon terminals were near GnRH‐I neurones, some GnRH‐I neurones coexpressed with GnIHR and GnIH neurones coexpressed with melatonin receptor subtype quinone reductase 2. These results demonstrate that green light inhibits GnRH‐I expression by increasing melatonin secretion and stimulating melatonin receptor‐GnIH‐GnIH receptor pathway in the chick brain.
Segmental morphometrics of the olive baboon (Papio anubis): a longitudinal study from birth to adulthood
Authors: Druelle François , Aerts Peter , D'Août Kristiaan , Moulin Valérie , Berillon Gilles 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe linear dimensions and inertial characteristics of the body are important in locomotion and they change considerably during the ontogeny of animals, including humans. This longitudinal and ontogenetic study has produced the largest dataset to date of segmental morphometrics in a Catarrhini species, the olive baboon. The objectives of the study were to quantify the changes in body linear and inertial dimensions and to explore their (theoretical) mechanical significance for locomotion. We took full‐body measurements of captive individuals at regular intervals. Altogether, 14 females and 16 males were followed over a 7‐year period, i.e. from infancy to adulthood. Our results show that individual patterns of growth are very consistent and follow the general growth pattern previously described in olive baboons. Furthermore, we obtained similar growth curve structures for segment lengths and masses, although the respective time scales were slightly different. The most significant changes in body morphometrics occurred during the first 2 years of life and concerned the distal parts of the body. Females and males were similar in size and shape at birth. The rate and duration of growth produced substantial size‐related differences throughout ontogeny, while body shapes remained very similar between the sexes. We also observed significant age‐related variations in limb composition, with a proximal shift of the centre of mass within the limbs, mainly due to changes in mass distribution and in the length of distal segments. Finally, we observed what we hypothesize to be ‘early biomechanical optimization’ of the limbs for quadrupedal walking. This is due to a high degree of convergence between the limbs’ natural pendular periods in infants, which may facilitate the onset of quadrupedal walking. Furthermore, the mechanical significance of the morphological changes observed in growing baboons may be related to changing functional demands with the onset of autonomous (quadrupedal) locomotion. From a wider perspective, these data provide unique insights into questions surrounding both the processes of locomotor development in primates and how these processes might evolve.
Kisspeptin innervation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus: sexual dimorphism and effect of estrous cycle in female mice
Authors: Marraudino Marilena , Miceli Dèsirèe , Farinetti Alice , Ponti Giovanna , Panzica GianCarlo , Gotti Stefano 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is the major autonomic output area of the hypothalamus and a critical regulatory center for energy homeostasis. The organism's energetic balance is very important for both the regular onset of puberty and regulation of fertility. Several studies have suggested a relationship among neural circuits controlling food intake, energy homeostasis and the kisspeptin peptide. The kisspeptin system is clustered in two main groups of cell bodies [the anterior ventral periventricular region (AVPV) and the arcuate nucleus (ARC)] projecting mainly to gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons and to a few other locations, including the PVN. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of the kisspeptin fibers within the PVN of adult CD1 mice. We observed a significant sexual dimorphism for AVPV and ARC, as well as for the PVN innervation. Kisspeptin fibers showed a different density within the PVN, being denser in the medial part than in the lateral one; moreover, in female, the density changed, according to different phases of the estrous cycle (the highest density being in estrus phase). The presence of a profound effect of estrous cycle on the kisspeptin immunoreactivity in AVPV (with a higher signal in estrus) and ARC, and the strong co‐localization between kisspeptin and NkB only in ARC and not in PVN suggested that the majority of the kisspeptin fibers found in the PVN might arise directly from AVPV.
Platelet‐rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: Does it work? Evidence from meta analysis
Authors: Giordano Salvatore , Romeo Marco , Lankinen Petteri 
Published: March 2017

SummaryIntroductionThe use of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) has increased among different surgical specialities for the treatment of various conditions. Androgenetic alopecia is a common condition, with severe attendant psychosocial implications. PRP injections for hair restoration have become a popular practice among plastic surgeons. We performed a meta‐analysis comparing local injection of platelet‐rich plasma versus control to evaluate this issue in order to investigate the effectiveness of PRP local injections for androgenetic alopecia.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed. Primary outcome was the increase in number of hairs. Secondary outcomes were the increase in hair thickness and the percentage increase in hair number and thickness. We performed random‐effect analysis.ResultsSix studies involving 177 patients were retrieved and included in the present analysis. A significantly locally increased hair number per cm2 was observed after PRP injections versus control (mean difference (MD) 17.90, 95%CI 5.84‐29.95, P=.004). Similarly, a significantly increased hair thickness cross section per 10−4 mm2 (MD 0.22, 95%CI 0.07‐0.38, P=.005) favoring PRP group. The pooled results did not show statistically significant differences in percentage increase in hair number (MD 24.12%, 95%CI −12.76‐60.99, P=.20) and hair thickness (MD 32.63%, 95%CI −16.23‐81.48, P=0.19) among patients treated with PRP.ConclusionsLocal injection of PRP for androgenic alopecia might be associated with an increased number of hairs and some hair thickness improvement in the treated areas with minimal morbidity. The results of this meta‐analysis should be interpreted with caution as it consists of pooling many small studies. Larger randomized studies can verify this perception.
Digital recording as a teaching and learning method in the skills laboratory
Authors: Strand Ingebjørg , Gulbrandsen Lise , Slettebø Åshild , Nåden Dagfinn 
Published: March 2017

Aim and objectivesTo obtain information on how nursing students react to, think about and learn from digital recording as a learning and teaching method over time.BackgroundBased on the teaching and learning philosophy of the university college, we used digital recording as a tool in our daily sessions in skills laboratory. However, most of the studies referred to in the background review had a duration of from only a few hours to a number of days. We found it valuable to design a study with a duration of two academic semesters.DesignA descriptive and interpretative design was used.MethodFirst‐year bachelor‐level students at the department of nursing participated in the study. Data collection was carried out by employing an ‘online questionnaire’. The students answered five written, open‐ended questions after each of three practical skill sessions. Kvale and Brinkmann's three levels of understanding were employed in the analysis.ResultsThe students reported that digital recording affected factors such as feeling safe, secure and confident and that video recording was essential in learning and training practical skills. The use of cameras proved to be useful, as an expressive tool for peer learning because video recording enhances self‐assessment, reflection, sensing, psychomotor performance and discovery learning.ConclusionDigital recording enhances the student's awareness when acquiring new knowledge because it activates cognitive and emotional learning. The connection between tutoring, feedback and technology was clear.Relevance to clinical practiceThe digital recorder gives students direct and immediate feedback on their performance from the various practical procedures, and may aid in the transition from theory to practice. Students experienced more self‐confidence and a feeling of safety in their performances.
Should we treat severe vasovagal syncope with a pacemaker?
Authors: Sutton R. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCardiac pacing for vasovagal syncope (VVS) addresses the cardioinhibitory component of the reflex but cannot directly affect vasodepression, which occurs in every reflex even when hidden by dominant cardioinhibition. The randomized controlled trials of pacing in VVS have, after almost 2 decades, determined that a small number of patients can benefit because their vasodepressor component is not severe. Early studies compared pacing with no therapy yielding highly significant benefits. Subsequently, all study patients had implanted devices with half being switched off. No benefit was seen. The ISSUE‐3 study found significant benefit (P < 0.039) in prevention of syncope recurrence in older patients. A sub‐study later showed those with negative tilt tests, otherwise indistinguishable from tilt‐positives, had 5% recurrence in 21 months (P < 0.004). There is acceptance that pacing must be dual chamber, but the question of how pacing is delivered remains open. Relying on falling heart rate is insufficient, probably because it occurs too late. Other algorithms which indirectly detect neuroendocrine changes earlier than heart rate fall may have useful application. In clinical terms, the patient to be considered for pacing should not be young and have severe symptoms. Ideally, tilt testing should be negative implying vasodepression of lesser severity and, therefore, yielding fewer syncope recurrences. When selecting pacing, additional concern must be given to regression to the mean of symptoms, severe to less severe. Patients seek help when they are at their worst. Moreover, many years of pacing are unlikely to be free of complications related to implanted hardware.
Can LDL cholesterol be too low? Possible risks of extremely low levels
Authors: Olsson A. G. , Angelin B. , Assmann G. , Binder C. J. , Björkhem I. , Cedazo‐Minguez A. , Cohen J. , von Eckardstein A. , Farinaro E. , Müller‐Wieland D. , Parhofer K. G. , Parini P. , Rosenson R. S. , Starup‐Linde J. , Tikkanen M. J. , Yvan‐Charvet L. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractFollowing the continuous accumulation of evidence supporting the beneficial role of reducing low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its complications, therapeutic possibilities now exist to lower LDL‐C to very low levels, similar to or even lower than those seen in newborns and nonhuman species. In addition to the important task of evaluating potential side effects of such treatments, the question arises whether extremely low LDL‐C levels per se may provoke adverse effects in humans. In this review, we summarize information from studies of human cellular and organ physiology, phenotypic characterization of rare genetic diseases of lipid metabolism, and experience from clinical trials. Specifically, we emphasize the importance of the robustness of the regulatory systems that maintain balanced fluxes and levels of cholesterol at both cellular and organismal levels. Even at extremely low LDL‐C levels, critical capacities of steroid hormone and bile acid production are preserved, and the presence of a cholesterol blood–brain barrier protects cells in the central nervous system. Apparent relationships sometimes reported between less pronounced low LDL‐C levels and disease states such as cancer, depression, infectious disease and others can generally be explained as secondary phenomena. Drug‐related side effects including an increased propensity for development of type 2 diabetes occur during statin treatment, whilst further evaluation of more potent LDL‐lowering treatments such as PCSK9 inhibitors is needed. Experience from the recently reported and ongoing large event‐driven trials are of great interest, and further evaluation including careful analysis of cognitive functions will be important.
Primary dental care evaluation in Brazil: an item response theory approach
Authors: Reis Clarice Magalhães Rodrigues dos , Mambrini Juliana Vaz de Melo , da Matta‐Machado Antônio Thomaz Gonzaga , Amaral João Henrique Lara do , Werneck Marcos Azeredo Furquim , Abreu Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães de 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectivesItem response theory (IRT) is a method used to design, analyze, and score tests, questionnaires, and similar instruments measuring abilities, attitudes, or other variables. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of dental care questions in the “Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e Qualidade da Atenção Básica—PMAQ‐AB,” Brazil, using IRT.MethodsDentists in primary health care units in Brazil (n = 12,403) were interviewed face‐to‐face using a structured questionnaire. The questions were primarily dichotomous, with a no answer/do not know option. The items about dental care from a Brazilian national evaluation survey were analyzed using the IRT model (20 items). Oral health teams (OHTs) received scores that varied from the lowest performance level to the highest performance level. Scores for the Brazilian states and the Federal District were calculated to evaluate the regional distribution of OHT performance.ResultsThe questions about dental care exhibited higher discrimination power for OHTs with below average performance. In general, the teams, including those with low performance, performed the actions, and procedures included in the questionnaire. Actions such as making prostheses and tracking and monitoring oral cancer cases characterized the high‐performing teams. The performance of the teams distributed throughout the Brazilian states indicated that OHTs in the south and southeast performed better than OHTs in the rest of the country.ConclusionsAlthough the analyzed items are insufficient to determine the performance of OHTs, the items related to prosthesis and oral cancer tend to discriminate high‐performing OHTs from other OHTs.
Exploring Learner Language Through Corpora: Comparing and Interpreting Corpus Frequency Information
Authors: Gablasova Dana , Brezina Vaclav , McEnery Tony 
Published: March 2017

This article contributes to the debate about the appropriate use of corpus data in language learning research. It focuses on frequencies of linguistic features in language use and their comparison across corpora. The majority of corpus‐based second language acquisition studies employ a comparative design in which either one or more second language (L2) corpora are compared to a first language (L1) production corpus or two or more L2 corpora are compared to each other. This article critically examines some of the central tenets of the comparative method related to the interspeaker variation in L1 and L2 use, the representativeness and comparability of corpus data, the interpretation of difference found between corpora and the appropriate use of statistics. Using and discussing a set of five L1 spoken English corpora and three L2 English corpora (two spoken and one written), we approach these areas empirically exploring different sources of variations and methodological options that corpus‐based SLA studies offer.
Modeling the early evolution of Vesta
Authors: Weisfeiler Marie , Turcotte Donald L. , Kellogg Louise H. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe early evolution of the asteroid Vesta has been extensively studied because of the availability of relevant data, especially important new studies of HED meteorites which originated from Vesta and the Dawn mission to Vesta in 2011–2012. These studies have concluded that an early melting episode led to the differentiation of Vesta into crust, mantle, and core. This melting episode is attributed to the decay of 26Al, which has a half‐life of 7.17 × 105 yr. This heating produced a global magma ocean. Surface cooling of this magma ocean will produce a solid crust. In this paper, we propose a convective heat‐transfer mechanism that effectively cools the asteroid when the degree of melting reaches about 50%. We propose that a cool solid surface crust, which is gravitationally unstable, will founder into the solid–liquid mix beneath and will very effectively transfer heat that prevents further melting of the interior. In this paper, we quantify this process. If Vesta had a very early formation, melting would commence at an age of about 1,30,000 yr, and solidification would occur at an age of about 10 Myr. If Vesta formed with a time delay greater than about 2 Myr, no melting would have occurred. An important result of our model is that the early melting episode is restricted to the first 10 Myr. This result is in good agreement with the radiometric ages of the HED meteorites.
Natural variation in life history strategy ofArabidopsis thalianadetermines stress responses to drought and insects of different feeding guilds
Authors: Davila Olivas Nelson H. , Frago Enric , Thoen Manus P. M. , Kloth Karen J. , Becker Frank F. M. , van Loon Joop J. A. , Gort Gerrit , Keurentjes Joost J. B. , van Heerwaarden Joost , Dicke Marcel 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPlants are sessile organisms and, consequently, are exposed to a plethora of stresses in their local habitat. As a result, different populations of a species are subject to different selection pressures leading to adaptation to local conditions and intraspecific divergence. The annual brassicaceous plantArabidopsis thalianais an attractive model for ecologists and evolutionary biologists due to the availability of a large collection of resequenced natural accessions. Accessions ofA. thalianadisplay one of two different life cycle strategies: summer and winter annuals. We exposed a collection of 308 EuropeanArabidopsisaccessions, that have been genotyped for 250K SNPs, to a range of stresses: one abiotic stress (drought), four biotic stresses (Pieris rapaecaterpillars,Plutella xylostellacaterpillars,Frankliniella occidentalisthrips andMyzus persicaeaphids) and two combined stresses (drought plusP. rapaeandBotrytis cinereafungus plusP. rapae). We identified heritable genetic variation for responses to the different stresses, estimated by narrow‐sense heritability. We found that accessions displaying different life cycle strategies differ in their response to stresses. Winter annuals are more resistant to drought, aphids and thrips and summer annuals are more resistant toP. rapaeandP. xylostellacaterpillars. Summer annuals are also more resistant to the combined stresses of drought plusP. rapaeand infection by the fungusBotryris cinereaplus herbivory byP. rapae. Adaptation to drought displayed a longitudinal gradient. Finally, trade‐offs were recorded between the response to drought and responses to herbivory by caterpillars of the specialist herbivoreP. rapae.
Transcriptional regulation of adhesive properties of Bacillus subtilis to extracellular matrix proteins through the fibronectin‐binding protein YloA
Authors: Rodriguez Ayala Facundo , Bauman Carlos , Bartolini Marco , Saball Ester , Salvarrey Marcela , Leñini Cecilia , Cogliati Sebastián , Strauch Mark , Grau Roberto 
Published: March 2017

SummaryBacterial adherence to extracellular matrix proteins (ECMp) plays important roles during host–pathogen interaction, however its genetic regulation remains poorly understood. yloA of the model bacterium Bacillus subtilis shows high homology to genes encoding fibronectin‐binding proteins of Gram‐positive pathogens. Here, we characterized the regulatory network of YloA‐dependent adhesive properties of the probiotic B. subtilis natto (Bsn). YloA‐proficient, but not YloA‐deficient, Bsn specifically bound to ECMp in a concentration‐dependent manner and were proficient in biofilm formation. yloA expression showed a continuous increase in activity during the growth phase and decreased during the stationary phase. The transcription factors AbrB and DegU downregulated yloA expression during the logarithmic and stationary growth phases respectively. Analysis of the yloA promoter region revealed the presence of AT‐rich direct and inverted repeats previously reported to function as DegU‐recognized binding sites. In spo0A cells, yloA expression was completely turned off because of upregulation of AbrB throughout growth. Accordingly, DNase I footprinting analysis confirmed that AbrB bound to the promoter region of yloA. Interestingly, Bsn bound fibronectin with higher affinity, lower Kd, than several bacterial pathogens and competitively excluded them from binding to immobilized‐fibronectin, a finding that might be important for the anti‐infective properties of B. subtilis and its relatives.
Knowing God Beyond Imagining: A Critical Appraisal of the Relation between Systematic Theology and Concrete Reality in John Milbank's Thought
Authors: Alpers Christiane 
Published: March 2017

AbstractJohn Milbank's work repeatedly invites two fundamental criticisms: he supposedly prioritises abstract thought over concrete reality, and he claims for himself a God's eye perspective on reality that is forgetful of any epistemological limits concerning a truthful human vision of the whole. Contrary to the first criticism, this article appreciates the way in which Milbank follows twentieth‐century Ressourcement theologies in relating concrete reality and abstract systematic thought. The second criticism does not disqualify Milbank's ontology, but encourages a more consequent application of this ontology in his assessment of concrete reality. As a corrective, Edward Schillebeeckx's contribution to Ressourcement theologies is revisited, as his work bears the promise of attaining an ever more limitless vision of God, via the path of contemplating concrete reality.