bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short‐interval leg movements during sleep entail greater cardiac activation than periodic leg movements during sleep in restless legs syndrome patients
Authors: Ferri Raffaele , Rundo Francesco , Silvani Alessandro , Zucconi Marco , Aricò Debora , Bruni Oliviero , Lanuzza Bartolo , Ferini‐Strambi Luigi , Manconi Mauro 
Published: April 2017

SummaryPeriodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) are sequences of ≥4 motor events with intermovement intervals (IMI) of 10–90 s. PLMS are a supportive diagnostic criterion for restless legs syndrome (RLS) and entail cardiac activation, particularly when associated with arousal. RLS patients also over‐express short‐interval leg movements during sleep (SILMS), which have IMI <10 s and are organized mainly in sequences of two movements (doublets). We tested whether the cardiac activation associated with SILMS doublets differs from that associated with PLMS in a sample of 25 RLS patients. We analysed time–series of R–R intervals synchronized to the onset of SILMS doublets or PLMS that entailed an arousal during non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. We assessed cardiac activation based on the R–R interval decrease with respect to baseline during NREM sleep without leg movements. We found that the duration of the R–R interval decrease with SILMS doublets was significantly longer than that with PLMS, whereas the maximal decrease in R–R interval was similar. Scoring SILMS in RLS patients may therefore be relevant from a cardiac autonomic perspective.
The impact of hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination on the development of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Huang C.‐E. , Yang Y.‐H. , Chen Y.‐Y. , Chang J.‐J. , Chen K.‐J. , Lu C.‐H. , Lee K.‐D. , Chen P.‐C. , Chen C.‐C. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been documented as a risk factor for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). However, there are few large cohort studies, and there is no report about the impact of HBV vaccination. We conducted this study to evaluate these issues. We used the nationwide cohort of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for 1997–2013. We compared the incidence and the risk of developing NHL and CD20+ aggressive lymphoma between HBV and non‐HBV cohorts. The hazard ratios (HRs) were computed using Cox proportional hazards models. We matched these two large cohorts to reconfirm the data. We also compared the incidence of NHL between cohorts born before and after the inception of universal HBV vaccination. We found that HBV infection increased the risk for developing NHL and CD20+ aggressive lymphoma, with HRs of 4.14 and 5.52, with a higher incidence of 17.07 and 13.9 per 100 000 person‐years, respectively, compared to the non‐HBV cohort. The incidence of NHL in the cohort born in the era before universal HBV vaccination was higher with 1.85 per 100 000 person‐years compared to 0.74 in the cohort born later aged younger than 20. Our study confirms that HBV confers a greater risk for developing NHL, especially CD20+ aggressive lymphoma. The impact of HBV vaccination is protective against lymphoma development in the teenagers in an endemic area, but longer follow‐up is needed for older age.
Condition‐dependent reproductive tactics in male smallmouth bass: evidence of an inconsistent birthdate effect on early growth and age at first reproduction
Authors: Welsh D. P. , Wiegmann D. D. , Angeloni L. M. , Newman S. P. , Miner J. G. , Baylis J. R. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMany animals exhibit alternative forms of reproductive behavior, the expression of which depends on individual condition or status. For instance, male smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu that are large early in life often build a nest and spawn for the first time at a young age and small body size, while males that are small early in life delay reproduction, invest in growth and spawn when they are older and larger, tactics referred to as α and β, respectively. The observation that larger males also tend to spawn earlier within a season led to a hypothesis that birthdate – more specifically, dispersal date – may control which tactic is adopted. Here, we examined the individual growth and reproductive histories of 184 male M. dolomieu of three cohorts for evidence of a birthdate effect on early life condition and the subsequent expression of tactics, namely whether a long first‐year growth period tends to induce the α tactic and whether variability in the timing of reproduction by parents within a season contributes to body size differences in progeny at the end of their first‐year growth period. The extent to which male condition early in life influences the expression of tactics was also evaluated. Evidence of a birthdate effect on progeny condition and subsequent tactic choice was observed for only one of the three cohorts and, in another cohort, tactic choice and individual condition were largely unrelated. The seasonal variability in birthdates and growth histories suggest that a broad range of swim‐up dates may be necessary to generate differences in condition early in life that are sufficiently large to control future reproductive decisions. Potential impacts of various physical, environmental and biotic factors that may mediate the seasonal timing of reproduction by parents or individual growth early in life are discussed.
Bite force and evolutionary studies in phyllostomid bats: a meta‐analysis and validation
Authors: Manhães I. A. , Nogueira M. R. , Monteiro L. R. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBite force measurements are relevant to the functional performance and provide insights about ecology and evolution of vertebrates. Bats are a good model system for ecomorphological studies of bite force because communities are species rich and the animals are easy to capture and handle. Investigators are careful with standardization within studies to ensure internal validity, but differences in methods for measuring bite forces in live animals could decrease external validity (generalization) of results. We assembled published and new estimates of in vivo bite forces, where the same species were measured by different investigators using different methods in different locations, to perform a meta‐analysis, assess the statistical heterogeneity of results and examine possible causes of among‐study differences. We also compared the combined measurements of in vivo bite force to estimated bite forces from skull pictures of museum specimens (dry skull model) to check for biases and validate the estimates. The results showed that in vivo bite force measurements were statistically heterogeneous, particularly for species with four or more published estimates. Body mass measurements were also heterogeneous but size could not explain the experimental differences in bite force within species. Type of sensor used also did not explain the among‐study variation. The random differences among studies did not, however, compromise external validity, because at an evolutionary scale, variation within species (including that due to heterogeneity) is less than 10% of variation among species. Therefore, the biological interpretation of results is not affected by experimental heterogeneity. Estimates of bite force using museum specimens were validated as unbiased predictors of in vivo bite forces via regression, and the macroevolutionary pattern of variation among dietary specializations was consistent among estimates, suggesting reasonable external validity for both model and in vivo measurements of bite force at an evolutionary scale.
The impact of carbapenem resistance on clinical deterioration and mortality in patients with liver disease
Authors: Ferstl Philip G. , Filmann Natalie , Brandt Christian , Zeuzem Stefan , Hogardt Michael , Kempf Volkhard A. J. , Müller Mona , Waidmann Oliver , Reinheimer Claudia 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackground & AimsInfections with multidrug‐resistant gram‐negative bacteria are significantly impairing the prognosis of patients with liver disease. In particular, carbapenem resistance further narrows therapeutic options. This study investigates the impact of carbapenem‐resistant gram‐negative bacteria on the outcome of patients with liver disease and cirrhosis.MethodsBetween January 2011 and July 2015, 132 patients treated at the tertiary liver transplant centre at University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany, were tested positive for carbapenem‐resistant gram‐negative bacteria and retrospectively analysed in this study. Risk factors for fatal outcome were evaluated using multivariate regression analysis. Competing‐risk analysis was performed on patients tested positive for Enterobacteriaceae or non‐fermenting species, for example, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Subgroup analysis of cirrhotic patients was performed on a matched cohort of cirrhotic patients, comparable model for end‐stage liver disease and tested negative for carbapenem‐resistant gram‐negative bacteria.Results97 (73.5%) and 35 (26.5%) patients were infected or colonised with carbapenem‐resistant gram‐negative bacteria respectively. Within the observation period, 61/132 (46.2%) patients died, with sepsis being the leading cause (38/61, 62.3%). Decompensated liver disease, sepsis and admission to intensive care unit were independent risk factors for fatal outcome. Lethal sepsis in patients positive for non‐fermenting bacteria was significantly more frequent than in those positive for Enterobacteriaceae, independently from liver function. Subgroup analysis of cirrhotic patients showed that sepsis (54.9% vs 13%) and lethal sepsis were significantly more frequent after detection of carbapenem‐resistant gram‐negative bacteria, independently from localisation of pathogen detection.ConclusionsPatients with advanced liver disease are prone to fatal infections caused by carbapenem‐resistant gram‐negative bacteria.
Testing landslide and atmospheric‐effects models for the formation of double‐layered ejecta craters on Mars
Authors: Weiss David K. , Head James W. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDouble‐layered ejecta (DLE) craters are distinctive among the variety of crater morphologies observed on Mars, but the mechanism by which they form remains under debate. We assess two ejecta emplacement mechanisms: (1) atmospheric effects from ejecta curtain‐induced vortices or a base surge and (2) ballistic emplacement followed by a landslide of ejecta assisted by either surface‐ or pore‐ice. We conduct a morphological analysis of the ejecta facies for three DLE craters which impacted into irregular pre‐existing topography. We find that the unique topographic environments affected the formation of grooves and the inner facies, and thus appear to be inconsistent with an atmospheric‐effects origin but are supportive of the landslide hypothesis. We distinguish between the two landslide models (lubrication by either surface‐ or pore‐ice) by assessing relationships between DLE crater ejecta and morphologic features indicative of buried ice deposits, including sublimation pits, ring‐mold craters, expanded secondary craters, and excess ejecta craters. The association of DLE craters with these features suggests that surface ice was present at the time of the impacts that formed the DLE craters. We also compare the Froude numbers of DLE crater ejecta to landslides, and find that the ejecta of DLE craters are kinematically and frictionally similar to terrestrial landslides that overran glaciers. This suggests that the grooves on DLE craters may plausibly form through the same shear/splitting mechanism as the landslides. In summary, our analysis supports the hypothesis that DLE craters form through meteoroid impacts into decameters‐thick surface ice deposits (emplaced during periods of higher obliquity) followed by ejecta sliding on the ice.
Genomewide analysis of admixture and adaptation in the Africanized honeybee
Authors: Nelson Ronald M. , Wallberg Andreas , Simões Zilá Luz Paulino , Lawson Daniel J. , Webster Matthew T. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractGenetic exchange by hybridization or admixture can make an important contribution to evolution, and introgression of favourable alleles can facilitate adaptation to new environments. A small number of honeybees (Apis mellifera) with African ancestry were introduced to Brazil ~60 years ago, which dispersed and hybridized with existing managed populations of European origin, quickly spreading across much of the Americas in an example of a massive biological invasion. Here, we analyse whole‐genome sequences of 32 Africanized honeybees sampled from throughout Brazil to study the effect of this process on genome diversity. By comparison with ancestral populations from Europe and Africa, we infer that these samples have 84% African ancestry, with the remainder from western European populations. However, this proportion varies across the genome and we identify signals of positive selection in regions with high European ancestry proportions. These observations are largely driven by one large gene‐rich 1.4‐Mbp segment on chromosome 11 where European haplotypes are present at a significantly elevated frequency and likely confer an adaptive advantage in the Africanized honeybee population. This region has previously been implicated in reproductive traits and foraging behaviour in worker bees. Finally, by analysing the distribution of ancestry tract lengths in the context of the known time of the admixture event, we are able to infer an average generation time of 2.0 years. Our analysis highlights the processes by which populations of mixed genetic ancestry form and adapt to new environments.
Using relatedness networks to infer contemporary dispersal: Application to the endangered mammal Galemys pyrenaicus
Authors: Escoda Lídia , González‐Esteban Jorge , Gómez Asunción , Castresana Jose 
Published: April 2017

AbstractInformation about the degree of contemporary dispersal is important when trying to understand how populations interchange individuals and identify the specific barriers that prevent these movements. In the case of endangered species, this can represent crucial information when designing appropriate conservation strategies. Here we analyse relatedness between individuals from different localities and use these data to infer whether dispersal occurred in recent generations. We applied this approach to the Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus), a semiaquatic and endangered species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. We studied this species in four primary rivers in the Iberian Range, where two ancient mitochondrial lineages are separated by a strict contact zone, suggesting the existence of complex dispersal patterns. Using next‐generation sequencing, we obtained 912 SNPs from each specimen and estimated relatedness values between them. While relatedness networks were dense within each river, we found surprisingly few relationships between individuals from different rivers despite their close proximity in some cases, indicating much lower dispersal between rivers compared to dispersal within a single river. In agreement with this result, the degree of inbreeding was exceedingly high in most individuals. These data show that relatedness information can be crucial to understand the contemporary dispersal patterns and conservation status of specific populations of endangered species.
Cdc42 regulates branching in angiogenic sprouting in vitro
Authors: Nguyen Duc‐Huy T. , Gao Lin , Wong Alec , Chen Christopher S. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectivesThe morphogenetic events that occur during angiogenic sprouting involve several members of the Rho family of GTPases, including Cdc42. However, the precise roles of Cdc42 in angiogenic sprouting have been difficult to elucidate owing to the lack of models to study these events in vitro. Here, we aim to identify the roles of Cdc42 in branching morphogenesis in angiogenesis.MethodsUsing a 3D biomimetic model of angiogenesis in vitro, where endothelial cells were seeded inside a cylindrical channel within collagen gel and sprouted from the channel in response to a defined biochemical gradient of angiogenic factors, we inhibited Cdc42 activity with a small molecule inhibitor ML141 and examined the effects of Cdc42 on the morphogenetic processes of angiogenic sprouting.ResultsWe find that partial inhibition of Cdc42 had minimal effects on directional migration of endothelial cells, but led to fewer branching events without affecting the length of these branches. We also observed that antagonizing Cdc42 reduced collective migration in favor of single cell migration. Additionally, Cdc42 also regulated the initiation of filopodial extensions in endothelial tip cells.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that Cdc42 can affect multiple morphogenetic processes during angiogenic sprouting and ultimately impact the architecture of the vasculature.
Intrusive Uncertainty in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Cochrane Tom , Heaton Keeley 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn this article we examine obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). We examine and reject two existing models of this disorder: the Dysfunctional Belief Model and the Inference‐Based Approach. Instead, we propose that the main distinctive characteristic of OCD is a hyperactive sub‐personal signal of being in error, experienced by the individual as uncertainty about his or her intentional actions (including mental actions). This signalling interacts with the anxiety sensitivities of the individual to trigger conscious checking processes, including speculations about possible harms. We examine the implications of this model for the individual's capacity to control his or her thoughts.
The pathogenic development of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in soybean requires specific host NADPH oxidases
Authors: Ranjan Ashish , Jayaraman Dhileepkumar , Grau Craig , Hill John H. , Whitham Steven A. , Ané Jean‐Michel , Smith Damon L. , Kabbage Mehdi 
Published: April 2017

SummaryThe plant membrane‐localized NADPH oxidases, also known as respiratory burst oxidase homologues (RBOHs), play crucial roles in various cellular activities, including plant disease responses, and are a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a cosmopolitan fungal pathogen that causes Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) in soybean. Via a key virulence factor, oxalic acid, it induces programmed cell death (PCD) in the host plant, a process that is reliant on ROS generation. In this study, using protein sequence similarity searches, we identified 17 soybean RBOHs (GmRBOHs) and studied their contribution to SSR disease development, drought tolerance and nodulation. We clustered the soybean RBOH genes into six groups of orthologues based on phylogenetic analysis with their Arabidopsis counterparts. Transcript analysis of all 17 GmRBOHs revealed that, of the six identified groups, group VI (GmRBOH‐VI) was specifically and drastically induced following S. sclerotiorum challenge. Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) of GmRBOH‐VI using Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) resulted in enhanced resistance to S. sclerotiorum and markedly reduced ROS levels during disease development. Coincidently, GmRBOH‐VI‐silenced plants were also found to be drought tolerant, but showed a reduced capacity to form nodules. Our results indicate that the pathogenic development of S. sclerotiorum in soybean requires the active participation of specific host RBOHs, to induce ROS and cell death, thus leading to the establishment of disease.
The impact of real life treatment strategies for Candida peritonitis—A retrospective analysis
Authors: Dubler S. , Laun M. , Koch C. , Hecker A. , Weiterer S. , Siegler B. H. , Röhrig R. , Weigand M. A. , Lichtenstern C. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryCandida species are commonly detected isolates from abdominal foci. The question remains as to who would benefit from early empiric treatment in cases of Candida peritonitis. This study collected real‐life data on critically ill patients with Candida peritonitis to estimate the relevance of the chosen treatment strategy on the outcome of these patients. One hundred and thirty‐seven surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients with intra‐abdominal invasive Candidiasis were included in the study. Fifty‐six patients did not get any antifungal agent. Twenty‐nine patients were empirically treated, and 52 patients were specifically treated. In the group without, with empiric and with specific antifungal treatment, the 30‐day mortality rate was 33.9, 48.3 and 44.2 respectively. Candida albicans was the most frequently found species. Seven patients in the specific treatment group and one patient in the empiric treatment group emerged with candidaemia. Age, leucocyte count, APACHE II Score and acute liver failure were independent predictors of 30‐day mortality in patients with Candida peritonitis. Not all patients with Candida peritonitis received antifungal treatment in real clinical practice. Patients with higher morbidity more often got antifungals. Early empirical therapy has not been associated with a better 30‐day mortality.
Otomastoiditis caused by Candida auris: Case report and literature review
Authors: Choi Hyoung Il , An Jin , Hwang Jae Joon , Moon Soo‐youn , Son Jun Seong 
Published: April 2017

SummaryFungal otomastoiditis is a rare disease, but can be fatal for immunocompromised patients. Recently, there have been increasing cases of otologic infection caused by Candida auris. Candida auris can be easily misdiagnosed for other species and treatment is difficult due to multidrug resistance. Clinician should be aware of this rare pathogen, and it should be treated with appropriate antifungal agent with surgical debridement.
Arbuscular mycorrhiza‐specific enzymes FatM and RAM2 fine‐tune lipid biosynthesis to promote development of arbuscular mycorrhiza
Authors: Bravo Armando , Brands Mathias , Wewer Vera , Dörmann Peter , Harrison Maria J. 
Published: April 2017

Summary

During arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (AMS), considerable amounts of lipids are generated, modified and moved within the cell to accommodate the fungus in the root, and it has also been suggested that lipids are delivered to the fungus. To determine the mechanisms by which root cells redirect lipid biosynthesis during AMS we analyzed the roles of two lipid biosynthetic enzymes (FatM and RAM2) and an ABC transporter (STR) that are required for symbiosis and conserved uniquely in plants that engage in AMS.

Complementation analyses indicated that the biochemical function of FatM overlaps with that of other Fat thioesterases, in particular FatB. The essential role of FatM in AMS was a consequence of timing and magnitude of its expression.

Lipid profiles of fatm and ram2 suggested that FatM increases the outflow of 16:0 fatty acids from the plastid, for subsequent use by RAM2 to produce 16:0 β‐monoacylglycerol.

Thus, during AMS, high‐level, specific expression of key lipid biosynthetic enzymes located in the plastid and the endoplasmic reticulum enables the root cell to fine‐tune lipid biosynthesis to increase the production of β‐monoacylglycerols. We propose a model in which β‐monoacylglycerols, or a derivative thereof, are exported out of the root cell across the periarbuscular membrane for ultimate use by the fungus.
A Simple Approach for Diagnosing Instabilities in Predictive Regressions
Authors: Pitarakis Jean‐Yves 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe introduce a method for detecting the presence of structural breaks in the parameters of predictive regressions linking noisy variables such as stock returns to persistent predictors such as valuation ratios. Our approach relies on the least squares‐based squared residuals of the predictive regression and is straightforward to implement. The distributions of the two test statistics we introduce are shown to be free of nuisance parameters, valid under dependent errors, already tabulated in the literature and robust to the degree of persistence of the chosen predictor. Our proposed method is subsequently applied to the predictability of US stock returns.