bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Permian fusuline biostratigraphy
Authors: Zhang Yi-Chun , Wang Yue 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

A review of Permian fusuline biostratigraphy is made in this paper in order to improve the correlation of Permian strata globally. Permian fusuline biostratigraphy in the Tethyan and Panthalassan regions can be correlated roughly because the fusulines had good faunal communications between these two regions. However, fusuline faunas from the North American Craton region were devoid of almost all neoschwagerinids and dominated exclusively by schwagerinids during the Guadalupian (Middle Permian) because of the blockage caused by the vast Pangaea supercontinent. This renders the correlation of Middle Permian biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy between the Tethyan region and North American region challenging. Significant evolutionary key points in fusulines include the first occurrence of
Pseudoschwagerina
or
Sphaeroschwagerina
during the earliest Permian, first occurrence of
Pamirina
and
Misellina
during the Yakhtashian and Bolorian, and the extinction of all schwagerinids and neoschwagerinids by the end of the Midian.
Adaptations of motoneuron properties after weight-lifting training in rats
Authors: Krutki Piotr , Mrówczyński Włodzimierz , Bączyk Marcin , Łochyński Dawid , Celichowski Jan 
Published: June 2017

Resistance training, with repeated short-term and high-intensity exercises, is responsible for an increase in muscle mass and force. The aim of this study was to determine whether such training induces adaptations in the electrophysiological properties of motoneurons innervating the trained muscles and to relate these adaptive changes to previous observations made on motor unit contractile properties. The study was performed on adult male Wistar rats. Animals from the training group were subjected to a 5-wk voluntary progressive weight-lifting program, whereas control rats were restricted to standard cage activity. Intracellular recordings from lumbar spinal motoneurons were made under pentobarbital anesthesia. Membrane properties were measured, and rhythmic firing of motoneurons was analyzed. Strength training evoked adaptive changes in both slow- and fast-type motoneurons, indicating their increased excitability. A shorter spike duration, a higher input resistance, a lower rheobase, a decrease in the minimum current required to evoke rhythmic firing, an increase in the maximum frequencies of the early-state firing (ESF) and the steady-state firing (SSF), and an increase in the respective slopes of the frequency-current ( f/ I) relationship were observed in fast motoneurons of the trained group. The increase in the maximum ESF and SSF frequencies and an increase in the SSF f/ I slope were also present in slow motoneurons. Higher maximum firing rates of motoneurons as well as higher discharge frequencies evoked at the same level of intracellular depolarization current imply higher levels of tetanic forces developed by motor units over the operating range of force production after strength training. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Neuronal responses to weight-lifting training can be observed in altered properties of both slow and fast motoneurons. Motoneurons of trained animals are more excitable, require lower intracellular currents to evoke rhythmic firing, and have the ability to evoke higher maximum discharge frequencies during repetitive firing.
Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: Past, present and future
Authors: Lip Gregory Y.H. , Freedman Ben , De Caterina Raffaele , Potpara Tatjana S. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryConcepts and our approaches to stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) have changed markedly over the last decade. There has been an evolution over the approach to stroke and bleeding risk assessment, as well as new treatment options. An increasing awareness of AF has led to calls to improve the detection of and population screening for AF. Stroke and bleeding risk assessment continues to evolve, and the ongoing debate on balance between simplicity and practicality, against precision medicine will continue. In this review article, we provide an overview of past, present and the (likely) future concepts and approaches to stroke prevention in AF. We propose three simple steps (the Birmingham ‘3-step’) that offers a practical management pathway to help streamline and simplify decision-making for stroke prevention in patients with AF.Note: The review process for this paper was fully handled by Christian Weber, Editor in Chief.
Foraging pattern and harvesting of resources of subterranean stingless bee Geotrigona subterranea (Friese, 1901) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)
Authors: Barbosa Fernando Mendes , Campos Lúcio Antônio De Oliveira , Paixão Joana Fidelis da , Alves Rogério Marcos De Oliveira 
Published: June 2017

Flight activity of bees is influenced both by environmental factors and by internal condition of the colonies. Information about external activity of bees is very important, because it provides data of the species biology, supplying subsidies for the use of these insects in the pollination of crops. The present work aim to evaluate the flight activity of Geotrigona subterranea (Friese, 1901) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in natural environment. This study was performed on the Instituto Federal do Norte de Minas Gerais, in the municipality Januária, Minas Gerais State. Two natural nests were observed. The activities of bees of the colonies were recorded three days each month, during the period of December 2011 to November 2012, totaling 924 observations. It was recorded the number of bees leaving and entering the nest, and the type of material transported by them for ten minutes each hour from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. The bees entered the colony carrying pollen, resin, detritus and also without apparent material. The bees began external activities by 6 a.m. at 20°C and finished at 6 p.m. at 28.8°C. The peak of activity of G. subterranea occurs on schedule from 1 to 2 p.m. Even though G. subterranea makes their nests in underground, their foraging activities are very similar to others stingless bee species that usually nest on tree cavities or aerial places. This indicate that despite their particular nesting way the external factors as climatic ones will significantly modulate their foraging pattern in a daily and seasonal way.
Caracterização dos idosos internados por doença respiratória aguda em um hospital escola terciário
Authors: Romanholi-Cória Vivian , Grigolo Ingrid Helen , Mutter Verena Mattos , Defende Gabriela Schimidt , Moras Luis Lemos , Morales Stephanie Tairowite , Carrai Larissa Helena Marques , Dias Ana Laura Oliveira , Costa Nauyla Miranda , Budin Alexandre Andrade , Rodrigues Camila Dias , Marchiori Renata Borges , Sasso Danilo Tacinari , Calocini Andre Gaiotto , Lima Juliana Cristina , Reis Andréia Francesli Negri , Kuyumjian Fátima Grisi , Cação João Castilho 
Published: June 2017

Objetivo: Caracterizar o perfil sociodemográfico, clínico e de fatores de risco de idosos internados por Doença Respiratória Aguda (DRA) no Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto. Metodologia: Pesquisa quantitativa, descritiva e retrospectiva, com dados coletados através da análise de 94 prontuários médicos de idosos com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos, internados no período de agosto de 2012 a setembro de 2013 por DRA no Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto. Resultados: O estudo identificou que entre os 94 idosos internados por DRA, 56,4% eram homens (n=53), com 76 anos de idade ou mais (55,3%), brancos (88,3%), casados (54,2%), com baixa escolaridade (19,1% não alfabetizados e 53,3% com até 4 anos de estudo), portadores de pelo menos uma comorbidade (83%), e apresentavam pelo menos um fator de risco para DRA como tabagismo e/ou desnutrição. Dos classificados com dependência funcional, a maioria eram idosos acima dos 75 anos. Quanto à situação cognitiva, menos da metade dos idosos apresentava algum déficit relatado em prontuário, e entre estes a maioria era maior de 75 anos. Mais de 70% dos pacientes (n=68) receberam alta com melhora, sendo que mais da metade (n=38) tinham 75 anos de idade ou menos. Do total, 17 pacientes evoluíram a óbito, sendo que destes, 88,2% (n=15) tinham acima de 75 anos. Após a alta médica, um pequeno número de pacientes (n=11) foram contra-referenciados às suas Unidades Básicas de Saúde de origem. Conclusão: Os resultados do estudo apontam para a importância de se reforçar as redes de cuidados voltadas aos idosos comprometidos por DRA, especialmente aqueles com idade avançada, fatores de risco presentes, comorbidades associadas, dependência funcional e déficit cognitivo, devido à alta probabilidade de má evolução. A capacitação dos profissionais de saúde dos diferentes níveis de atenção à saúde e a criação de estratégias para educação da população são ações fundamentais para a consolidação destas redes de cuidados e, consequentemente, auxiliar na prevenção e no diagnóstico precoce, visando à redução das internações e a mortalidade por DRA.
Trowaglerix Venom Polypeptides As a Novel Antithrombotic Agent by Targeting Immunoglobulin-Like Domains of Glycoprotein VI in Platelet
Authors: Chang Chien-Hsin , Chung Ching-Hu , Tu Yi-Shu , Tsai Cheng-Chieh , Hsu Chun-Chieh , Peng Hui-Chin , Tseng Yufeng J. , Huang Tur-Fu 
Published: June 2017

Objective—
Currently prescribed antiplatelet drugs have 1 common side effect—an increased risk of hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia. On the contrary, bleeding defects associated with glycoprotein VI (GPVI) expression deficiency are usually slightly prolonged bleeding times. However, GPVI antagonists are lacking in clinic.

Approach and Results—
Using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and sequencing, we revealed the partial sequence of trowaglerix α subunit, a potent specific GPVI-targeting snaclec (snake venom C-type lectin protein). Hexapeptide (Troα6 [trowaglerix a chain hexapeptide, CKWMNV]) and decapeptide (Troα10) derived from trowaglerix specifically inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation through blocking platelet GPVI receptor. Computational peptide design helped to design a series of Troα6/Troα10 peptides. Protein docking studies on these decapeptides and GPVI suggest that Troα10 was bound at the lower surface of D1 domain and outer surface of D2 domain, which was at the different place of the collagen-binding site and the scFv (single-chain variable fragment) D2-binding site. The newly discovered site was confirmed by inhibitory effects of polyclonal antibodies on collagen-induced platelet aggregation. This indicates that D2 domain of GPVI is a novel and important binding epitope on GPVI-mediated platelet aggregation. Troα6/Troα10 displayed prominent inhibitory effect of thrombus formation in fluorescein sodium-induced platelet thrombus formation of mesenteric venules and ferric chloride-induced carotid artery injury thrombosis model without prolonging the in vivo bleeding time.

Conclusions—
We develop a novel antithrombotic peptides derived from trowaglerix that acts through GPVI antagonism with greater safety—no severe bleeding. The binding epitope of polypeptides on GPVI is novel and important. These hexa/decapeptides have therapeutic potential for developing ideal small-mass GPVI antagonists for arterial thrombogenic diseases.
Cre/lox Studies Identify Resident Macrophages as the Major Source of Circulating Coagulation Factor XIII-A
Authors: Beckers Cora M.L. , Simpson Kingsley R. , Griffin Kathryn J. , Brown Jane M. , Cheah Lih T. , Smith Kerrie A. , Vacher Jean , Cordell Paul A. , Kearney Mark T. , Grant Peter J. , Pease Richard J. 
Published: June 2017

Objective—
To establish the cellular source of plasma factor (F)XIII-A.

Approach and Results—

A novel mouse floxed for the
F13a1
gene, FXIII-A
flox/flox
(Flox), was crossed with myeloid- and platelet-cre–expressing mice, and cellular FXIII-A mRNA expression and plasma and platelet FXIII-A levels were measured. The platelet factor 4-cre.Flox cross abolished platelet FXIII-A and reduced plasma FXIII-A to 23±3% (
P
<0.001). However, the effect of platelet factor 4-cre on plasma FXIII-A was exerted outside of the megakaryocyte lineage because plasma FXIII-A was not reduced in the Mpl
−/−
mouse, despite marked thrombocytopenia. In support of this, platelet factor 4-cre depleted FXIII-A mRNA in brain, aorta, and heart of floxed mice, where FXIII-A
pos
cells were identified as macrophages as they costained with CD163. In the integrin αM-cre.Flox and the double copy lysozyme 2-cre.cre.Flox crosses, plasma FXIII-A was reduced to, respectively, 75±5% (
P
=0.003) and 30±7% (
P
<0.001), with no change in FXIII-A content per platelet, further consistent with a macrophage origin of plasma FXIII-A. The change in plasma FXIII-A levels across the various mouse genotypes mirrored the change in FXIII-A mRNA expression in aorta. Bone marrow transplantation of FXIII-A
+/+
bone marrow into FXIII-A
−/−
mice both restored plasma FXIII-A to normal levels and replaced aortic and cardiac FXIII-A mRNA, while its transplantation into FXIII-A
+/+
mice did not increase plasma FXIII-A levels, suggesting that a limited population of niches exists that support FXIII-A-releasing cells.

Conclusions—
This work suggests that resident macrophages maintain plasma FXIII-A and exclude the platelet lineage as a major contributor.
LRP1-Dependent BMPER Signaling Regulates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Vascular Inflammation
Authors: Lockyer Pamela , Mao Hua , Fan Qiying , Li Luge , Yu-Lee Li-Yuan , Eissa N. Tony , Patterson Cam , Xie Liang , Pi Xinchun 
Published: June 2017

Objective—
Bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide)-mediated sepsis involves dysregulated systemic inflammation, which injures the lung and other organs, often fatally. Vascular endothelial cells act as both targets and mediators of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses. Dysfunction of endothelium results in increases of proinflammatory cytokine production and permeability leakage. BMPER (bone morphogenetic protein–binding endothelial regulator), an extracellular modulator of bone morphogenetic protein signaling, has been identified as a vital component in chronic endothelial inflammatory responses and atherosclerosis. However, it is unclear whether BMPER also regulates inflammatory response in an acute setting such as sepsis. To address this question, we investigated the role of BMPER during lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury.

Approach and Results—

Mice missing 1 allele of BMPER (BMPER
+/−
mice used in the place of BMPER
−/−
mice that die at birth) were used for lipopolysaccharide challenge. Lipopolysaccharide-induced pulmonary inflammation and injury was reduced in BMPER
+/−
mice as shown by several measures, including survival rate, infiltration of inflammatory cells, edema, and production of proinflammatory cytokines. Mechanistically, we have demonstrated that BMPER is required and sufficient for the activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1. This BMPER-induced nuclear factor of activated T cells activation is coordinated by multiple signaling pathways, including bone morphogenetic protein–independent low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 1-extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation, calcineurin signaling, and low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 1β–mediated nuclear factor 45 nuclear export in response to BMPER treatment.

Conclusions—
We conclude that BMPER plays a pivotal role in pulmonary inflammatory response, which provides new therapeutic options against sepsis shock. The new signaling pathway initiated by BMPER/low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 1 axis broadens our understanding about BMPER’s role in vascular homeostasis.
Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Promotes Atherosclerosis and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Aged Mice
Authors: Wang Ying , Wang Wei , Wang Nan , Tall Alan R. , Tabas Ira 
Published: June 2017

Rationale—
Mitochondrial oxidative stress (mitoOS) has been shown to be increased in various cell types in human atherosclerosis and with aging. However, the role of cell type–specific mitoOS in atherosclerosis in the setting of advanced age and the molecular mechanisms remains to be determined in vivo.

Objective—
The aim of this study was to examine the role of myeloid cell mitoOS in atherosclerosis in aged mice.

Approach and Results—

Lethally irradiated low-density lipoprotein receptor–deficient mice (
Ldlr
−/−
) were reconstituted with bone marrow from either wild-type or mitochondrial catalase (mCAT) mice. mCAT transgenic mice contain ectopically expressed human catalase gene in mitochondria, which reduces mitoOS. Starting at the age of 36 weeks, mice were fed the Western-type diet for 16 weeks. We found that mitoOS in lesional myeloid cells was suppressed in aged mCAT→
Ldlr
−/−
chimeric mice compared with aged controls, and this led to a significant reduction in aortic root atherosclerotic lesion area despite higher plasma cholesterol levels. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), a proinflammatory extracellular structure that contributes to atherosclerosis progression, were significantly increased in the lesions of aged mice compared with lesions of younger mice. Aged mCAT→
Ldlr
−/−
mice had less lesional neutrophils and decreased NETs compared with age-matched wild-type→
Ldlr
−/−
mice, whereas young mCAT→ and wild-type→
Ldlr
−/−
mice had comparable numbers of neutrophils and similar low levels of lesional NETs. Using cultured neutrophils, we showed that suppression of mitoOS reduced 7-ketocholesterol–induced NET release from neutrophils of aged but not younger mice.

Conclusions—
MitoOS in lesional myeloid cells enhanced atherosclerosis development in aged mice, and this enhancement was associated with increased lesional NETs. Thus, mitoOS-induced NET formation is a potentially new therapeutic target to prevent atherosclerosis progression during aging.
Noninvasive Ventilatory Correction in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Tsivgoulis Georgios , Alexandrov Andrei V. , Katsanos Aristeidis H. , Barlinn Kristian , Mikulik Robert , Lambadiari Vaia , Bonakis Anastasios , Alexandrov Anne W. 
Published: June 2017

Background and Purpose—
Even though current guidelines suggest that noninvasive ventilatory correction (NIVC) could be considered for acute ischemic stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea, available evidence is conflicting, with no adequately powered randomized clinical trial being available to date.

Methods—
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all available literature data evaluating the effect of NIVC on neurological improvement (based on decrease in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score), vascular events (recurrent stroke, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction and unstable angina), and mortality during the follow-up period.

Results—

We identified 4 randomized clinical trials and 1 prospectively matched observational cohort, comprising a total of 389 patients (59.8% males, mean age: 64.4 years). The risk of both performance and detection bias was considered high in most of the included randomized clinical trials because of the lack of blinding in participants, personnel and/or outcome assessors. The mean decrease in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores during the first (≤30) days of acute ischemic stroke was found to be greater in NIVC-treated patients in comparison to controls (standardized mean difference, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.66;
P
=0.007). However, no significant differences were detected between NIVC-treated acute ischemic stroke patients and controls on both the risk of vascular events (risk ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.25–1.14;
P
=0.11) and mortality (risk ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–1.36;
P
=0.30). No evidence of heterogeneity (
I
2
=0%;
P
for Cochran Q>0.50) or publication bias were detected in all analyses.

Conclusions—
NIVC seems to be associated with greater short-term neurological improvement in acute ischemic stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea. This finding deserves further investigation within the settings of an adequately powered, sham-control, randomized clinical trial.
Artificial Islands, Artificial Highways and Pirates
Authors: Bikundo Edwin 
Published: June 2017

The United States promotes freedom of navigation in the South China Sea while China constructs artificial islands in the same area to bolster up its territorial claims. Both countries utilize their navies similarly but for opposed legal reasons. This reflects a geopolitical contest with the United States championing a sea open to global navigation and commerce while China builds a primarily land based ‘New Silk Road’ linking it to critical markets and natural resources. That struggle between land and sea, similarly as it were with piracy, encompasses both the law of the sea and international criminal law. Reading Carl Schmitt’s Land and Sea in light of Johann Wolfgang Goethe’s Faust in the context of the various South China Sea disputes provides the opportunity to evaluate whether it may clarify geo-strategic issues at stake that Schmitt himself did not have the opportunity to consider when elaborating his notion of Nomos.
Differential Relationships Between Diabetes Knowledge Scales and Diabetes Outcomes
Authors: Dawson Aprill Z. , Walker Rebekah J. , Egede Leonard E. 
Published: June 2017

Background Diabetes affects more than 29 million people in the US and requires daily self-management in addition to knowledge of the disease. Three knowledge assessments used are the Michigan Brief Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT), Starr County Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ), and Kaiser DISTANCE Survey (DISTANCE). Purpose The purpose of the study was to test the discriminate validity of 3 diabetes knowledge scales and determine which is best associated with diabetes self-care and glycemic control. Methods Three hundred sixty-one adults with type 2 diabetes were recruited from primary care clinics. Four analyses were conducted to investigate the validity and relationships of the scale: alpha statistic to test internal validity, factor analysis to determine how much of the variance was explained, Pearson’s correlation between the 3 scales, and Pearson’s correlation between each scale, self-care, and outcomes. Results The DKQ had an alpha of 0.75, the DKT had an alpha of 0.49, and DISTANCE had an alpha of 0.36. The DKQ was significantly correlated with glycemic control. The DKT scale was significantly associated with general diet, the DISTANCE survey was significantly associated with exercise, and both DKT and DISTANCE were significantly associated with foot care. Conclusion Correlations among the 3 scales were modest, suggesting the scales are not measuring the same underlying construct. These findings indicate that researchers should carefully select scales appropriate for study goals or to appropriately capture the information being sought to inform practice.