bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermal preference predicts animal personality in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Cerqueira Marco , Rey Sonia , Silva Tome , Featherstone Zoe , Crumlish Margaret , MacKenzie Simon 
Published: May 2016

Summary

Environmental temperature gradients provide habitat structure in which fish orientate and individual thermal choice may reflect an essential integrated response to the environment. The use of subtle thermal gradients likely impacts upon specific physiological and behavioural processes reflected as a suite of traits described by animal personality. In this study, we examine the relationship between thermal choice, animal personality and the impact of infection upon this interaction.

We predicted that thermal choice in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus reflects distinct personality traits and that under a challenge individuals exhibit differential thermal distribution.

Nile tilapia were screened following two different protocols: 1) a suite of individual behavioural tests to screen for personality and 2) thermal choice in a custom‐built tank with a thermal gradient (TCH tank) ranging from 21 to 33 °C. A first set of fish were screened for behaviour and then thermal preference, and a second set were tested in the opposite fashion: thermal then behaviour. The final thermal distribution of the fish after 48 h was assessed reflecting final thermal preferendum. Additionally, fish were then challenged using a bacterial Streptococcus iniae model infection to assess the behavioural fever response of proactive and reactive fish.

Results showed that individuals with preference for higher temperatures were also classified as proactive with behavioural tests and reactive contemporaries chose significantly lower water temperatures. All groups exhibited behavioural fever recovering personality‐specific thermal preferences after 5 days.

Our results show that thermal preference can be used as a proxy to assess personality traits in Nile tilapia and it is a central factor to understand the adaptive meaning of animal personality within a population. Importantly, response to infection by expressing behavioural fever overrides personality‐related thermal choice.
Role of heart rate in the relation between regional body fat and subendocardial viability ratio in women
Authors: Gonzales Joaquin U. , Hadri Omar 
Published: May 2016

SummarySubendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) is a measure of left ventricular function, specifically; it is an index of myocardial perfusion relative to left ventricular workload. Women have lower SEVR than men, partly due to a faster resting heart rate that reduces diastolic time (i.e., time for myocardial perfusion). It is unclear if body fat relates to SEVR, thus the purpose of this study was to examine the relation between body fat and SEVR in women. Twenty‐eight middle‐aged (31–45 years) and 31 older (60–80 years) women were examined. Radial artery applanation tonometry was used to calculate SEVR from a synthesized central aortic pressure wave. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry was used to assess body composition including fat in the trunk, legs, android and gynoid regions. Body fat was not related (P>.05) with SEVR in older women. In middle‐aged women, all measures of regional fat were correlated with heart rate (range, r=.49–.59, P≤.01) and SEVR (range, r=.43–.53, P≤.01). Android‐to‐gynoid ratio was identified as the strongest predictor (r2=−.26, P<.01) of SEVR among measures of regional fat. Middle‐aged women with lower android‐to‐gynoid fat ratio had higher SEVR (1.96±0.33 vs 1.66±0.20, P=.009) than women with higher fat ratio, even after adjusting for age, height, daily physical activity, and aortic mean pressure (P=.02). Adjusting for heart rate or diastolic time abolished the difference in SEVR between groups (1.80±0.09 vs 1.82±0.09, P=.56). These results suggest that middle‐aged women with a greater distribution of fat in the abdomen have poorer left ventricular function that is dependent on the negative influence of heart rate on diastolic time.
Is educational differentiation associated with smoking and smoking inequalities in adolescence? A multilevel analysis across 27 European and North American countries
Authors: Rathmann Katharina , Moor Irene , Kunst Anton E. , Dragano Nico , Pförtner Timo‐Kolja , Elgar Frank J. , Hurrelmann Klaus , Kannas Lasse , Baška Tibor , Richter Matthias 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis study aims to determine whether educational differentiation (i.e. early and long tracking to different school types) relate to socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent smoking. Data were collected from the WHO‐Collaborative ‘Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children (HBSC)’ study 2005/2006, which included 48,025 15‐year‐old students (Nboys = 23,008, Ngirls = 25,017) from 27 European and North American countries. Socioeconomic position was measured using the HBSC family affluence scale. Educational differentiation was determined by the number of different school types, age of selection, and length of differentiated curriculum at the country‐level. We used multilevel logistic regression to assess the association of daily smoking and early smoking initiation predicted by family affluence, educational differentiation, and their interactions. Socioeconomic inequalities in both smoking outcomes were larger in countries that are characterised by a lower degree of educational differentiation (e.g. Canada, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom) than in countries with higher levels of educational differentiation (e.g. Austria, Belgium, Hungary and The Netherlands). This study found that high educational differentiation does not relate to greater relative inequalities in smoking. Features of educational systems are important to consider as they are related to overall prevalence in smoking and smoking inequalities in adolescence.
Targeting the sympatho‐adrenergic link in chronic rheumatic mitral regurgitation: assessing the role of oral beta‐blockers
Authors: Sahoo Dhabaleswar , Kapoor Aditya , Sinha Archana , Khanna Roopali , Kumar Sudeep , Garg Naveen , Tewari Satyendra , Goel Pravin 
Published: May 2016

SummaryIntroductionChronic mitral regurgitation (MR) is characterized by adverse ventricular remodeling and progressive LV dysfunction leading to heart failure (HF). Beta‐blockers (BB) improve LV remodeling and prognosis in patients with HF. As chronic severe MR results in neuroendocrine activation similar to HF, it is likely that BB may also exert favorable effects in these patients. No study has assessed the role of oral BB therapy in chronic rheumatic MR.AimsA total of 100 patients of chronic rheumatic MR (mean age 30±13.48 years, NYHA 2.2±0.5) were randomized to BB (Metoprolol, 37±13.5 mg, n=48) vs no BB (n=52) in addition to standard therapy.ResultsBaseline BNP and echocardiographic parameters were comparable in the two groups. At 3 months, BB therapy resulted in significantly lower NYHA class (1.97 vs 2.35), BNP (141 vs 207 pg/mL), LV end‐systolic (35.89 vs 51.30) and LV end‐diastolic volumes (101 vs 128 mL/m2), LV end‐systolic stress (81.1 vs 93.3 dyn/cm2), LV mass (122 vs 154 gm/m2), and LV work (737.02 vs 952.82 mm Hg L/min, all P significant). Therapy with BB resulted in a −15.6%, −10.4%,−12.1%, and −7.3% reduction in LV end‐systolic and end‐diastolic dimensions and LVESVi and LVEDVi, respectively. Following BB therapy, BNP levels, end‐systolic stress, indexed LV mass, and LV work also reduced significantly by 27.3%, 15.6%, 8.7%, and 28%, respectively. The control group had no significant change. The MR grade reduced from severe to moderate in 11% of those on BB (controls: no change). At 6 months, the BB group had further improvement in all echocardiographic parameters ranging from +9.1 to −18.2%.ConclusionIn this first study of BB in rheumatic MR, targeting the sympatho‐adrenergic axis exerted favorable effects on NYHA class, LV volumes, LV end‐systolic stress, and LV work. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of BB in rheumatic MR.
Implication of different initial beta blockers on treatment persistence: atenolol vs new‐generation beta blocker, a population‐based study
Authors: Choi Yun Jung , Ah Young‐Mi , Kong Jisun , Choi Kyung Hee , Kim Baegeum , Han Nayoung , Yu Yun Mi , Oh Jung Mi , Shin Wan Gyoon , Lee Hae‐Young , Lee Ju‐Yeun 
Published: May 2016

SummaryAimPotential heterogeneity within the same class of drug in terms of persistence may lead to different clinical implications. Given that the increased risks of mortality and cardiovascular events are due, in part, to the lack of persistent use of antihypertensive medications, the objective of this study was to evaluate 1‐year persistence of new‐generation beta blockers compared to atenolol in antihypertensive treatment‐naïve patients.MethodsA total of 9978 patients aged 18 years or older with hypertension newly diagnosed in 2012, without hypertension‐related complication and initiated treatment with beta blocker monotherapy during 2012 were included in the analysis. Rate and duration of treatment and drug persistence were compared between atenolol and new‐generation beta blockers. Hazards of discontinuation in nonatenolol compared to atenolol were evaluated using a multivariate Cox proportional model.ResultsThe rate of treatment persistence was higher in the nonatenolol group (57.35% vs 53.40%, P<.0001), and the time to treatment discontinuation was earlier in the atenolol group with a minimal difference in the average (243.2 vs 254 days, P<.0001). New‐generation beta blockers demonstrated a lower risk of treatment discontinuation (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86–0.96) compared to atenolol; a notable improvement was observed with carvedilol and nebivolol (HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.69–0.80 and HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.70–0.89, respectively), whereas betaxolol showed a substantially greater hazard for discontinuation compared to atenolol.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated a meaningful improvement in treatment persistence with new‐generation beta blockers compared to atenolol, with betaxolol as exception.
Superselective intra‐arterial chemotherapy in the primary management of advanced intra‐ocular retinoblastoma: first 4‐year experience from a single institution in Turkey
Authors: Tuncer Samuray , Sencer Serra , Kebudi Rejin , Tanyıldız Burak , Cebeci Zafer , Aydın Kubilay 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPurposeTo report our 4‐year experience in Turkey, with advanced intra‐ocular retinoblastoma managed primarily with intra‐arterial chemotherapy (IAC).MethodsFrom October 2011 to September 2015, 26 group D eyes of 24 treatment‐naïve retinoblastoma patients managed primarily with IAC were evaluated in this prospective study.ResultsOf 76 procedures, ophthalmic artery cannulation failed in two patients with unilateral involvement. In the remaining 22 patients (24 eyes), the mean age at diagnosis was 18 months (range, 6–55 months). Each eye received a mean of 3 IAC sessions/eye (range, 2–5 sessions). After a median follow‐up of 29 months (range, 6–55 months), complete regression of the main tumour was achieved in 23 of 24 eyes. One eye with partial regression required enucleation due to ciliary body involvement by the tumour. Overall, 16 eyes (66.6%) were salvaged with primary IAC with or without additional local treatments, and eight (33.3%) required enucleation. The main IAC‐related periocular complications included transient eyelid oedema (n = 13), ptosis (n = 6) and forehead hyperpigmentation (n = 3), each resolving in 2 weeks to 4 months. Intra‐ocular complications included chorioretinal atrophy (n = 9), newly noted retinal detachment (n = 5) and vitreous haemorrhage (n = 1). Kaplan–Meier eye estimates of enucleation‐free survival rates were 83.3% (95% CI, 68.4–98.1%), 69.1% (95% CI, 49.8–88.3%) and 62.9 (95% CI, 41.9–83.8%) at 6 months, 1 and 2 years, respectively, and stable thereafter.ConclusionOur first 4‐year experience in Turkey showed that enucleation or external‐beam radiotherapy could be avoided in two‐thirds of eyes with advanced intra‐ocular retinoblastoma managed primarily with IAC.
Analysis of the functional aspects and seminal plasma proteomic profile of sperm from smokers
Authors: Antoniassi Mariana Pereira , Intasqui Paula , Camargo Mariana , Zylbersztejn Daniel Suslik , Carvalho Valdemir Melechco , Cardozo Karina H. M. , Bertolla Ricardo Pimenta 
Published: May 2016

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of smoking on sperm functional quality and seminal plasma proteomic profile.Patients and MethodsSperm functional tests were performed in 20 non‐smoking men with normal semen quality, according to the World Health Organization (2010) and in 20 smoking patients. These included: evaluation of DNA fragmentation by alkaline Comet assay; analysis of mitochondrial activity using DAB staining; and acrosomal integrity evaluation by PNA binding. The remaining semen was centrifuged and seminal plasma was used for proteomic analysis (liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry). The quantified proteins were used for Venn diagram construction in Cytoscape 3.2.1 software, using the PINA4MS plug‐in. Then, differentially expressed proteins were used for functional enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology categories, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Reactome, using Cytoscape software and the ClueGO 2.2.0 plug‐in.ResultsSmokers had a higher percentage of sperm DNA damage (Comet classes III and IV; P < 0.01), partially and fully inactive mitochondria (DAB classes III and IV; P = 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively) and non‐intact acrosomes (P < 0.01) when compared with the control group. With respect to proteomic analysis, 422 proteins were identified and quantified, of which one protein was absent, 27 proteins were under‐represented and six proteins were over‐represented in smokers. Functional enrichment analysis showed the enrichment of antigen processing and presentation, positive regulation of prostaglandin secretion involved in immune response, protein kinase A signalling and arachidonic acid secretion, complement activation, regulation of the cytokine‐mediated signalling pathway and regulation of acute inflammatory response in the study group (smokers).ConclusionIn conclusion, cigarette smoking was associated with an inflammatory state in the accessory glands and in the testis, as shown by enriched proteomic pathways. This state causes an alteration in sperm functional quality, which is characterized by decreased acrosome integrity and mitochondrial activity, as well as by increased nuclear DNA fragmentation.
The potential significance of nectar‐feeding bats as pollinators in mangrove habitats of Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Nor Zalipah Mohamed , Shahrul Anuar Mohd Sah , Jones Gareth 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe tested the hypothesis that bats are effective pollinators of mangroves in Malaysia. Bats (Eonycteris spelaea) visited flowers of two Sonneratia species frequently, and deposited large quantities of conspecific pollen grains on stigmas. The bats are likely to be important pollinators of the two mangrove species.
From over to undercompensation: Variable responses to herbivory during ontogeny of a Neotropical monocarpic plant
Authors: Tito Richard , Castellani Tânia T. , Fáveri Sarita B. , Lopes Benedito C. , Vasconcelos Heraldo L. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractEmpirical and theoretical work has suggested that plants can change their compensatory responses to herbivory as they develop. However, such a relationship is likely to be more complex than previously thought since the amount and type of damage a plant receives can also change as the plant develops. Here, we determined the survival, growth, and reproductive output of plants (Actinocephalus polyanthus) from different ontogenetic stages that received variable levels of natural or simulated herbivore damage. Juvenile plants and non‐reproductive adults in which leaves were damaged showed full vegetative compensation, whereas pre‐reproductive plants were not able to replace the lost leaves. However, these same pre‐reproductive plants produced more inflorescences and thus more seeds and seedlings than control plants. In contrast, damage to vegetative and/or reproductive structures during the reproductive phase resulted in a negative effect on seed and seedling production. Herbivory effects on plant survival, growth, and reproduction during the vegetative and pre‐reproductive phases were independent of the amount of damage. However, during reproduction, the magnitude of these effects was strongly influenced by the amount of damage and the reproductive stage of the plant at the time of the damage. In short, our results demonstrate that the survival, growth, and reproductive responses to herbivory of A. polyanthus can be dependent on the timing and/or intensity of damage. The reproductive response of A. polyanthus to our simulated herbivory treatments during the pre‐reproductive phase represents an example of overcompensation. Furthermore, it indicates that vegetative regrowth is not necessarily a driving factor for tolerance.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine and related metabolites in exhaled breath condensate of children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Lucca Francesca , Da Dalt Liviana , Ros Mirco , Gucciardi Antonina , Pirillo Paola , Naturale Mauro , Perilongo Giorgio , Giordano Giuseppe , Baraldi Eugenio 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIntroductionAsymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) competitively inhibits nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Its levels in specimens from murine models and asthmatic patients are related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Patients with cystic fibrosis(CF) reportedly have higher arginase activity, lower NO production and NOS expression than healthy controls.ObjectiveThe objective was to assess the role of ADMA and related metabolites as disease biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of pediatric CF patients, compared with age‐matched healthy controls (HC).MethodsA longitudinal design was conceived and 34 CF patients (21 stable, 13 at the onset of exacerbation) and 16 HC were enrolled. All CF patients underwent clinical examination, spirometry and EBC collection at enrolment; the same tests were performed also after an antibiotic course in those patients with exacerbation. Metabolites levels in EBC were measured with an ultra‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry technique.ResultsAll CF patients had ADMA levels (expressed as ratio to tyrosine) similar to those in HC (median 0.0112, IQR 0.0103‐0.0120 and median 0.0114, IQR 0.0090–0.0128, respectively; P = 0.983), while a significant increase in the citrulline/tyrosine ratio was found in CF patients (median 0.6419, IQR 0.5738–0.6899 in CF vs median 0.4176, IQR 0.2986–0.5082 in HC; P = 0.00003). No differences in ADMA levels emerged between stable patients and those with exacerbation.ConclusionADMA and related aminoacids were measured simultaneously for the first time in EBC from CF patients. Higher citrulline/tyrosine ratios were found in CF children with normal ADMA levels, suggesting a dysregulated ADMA metabolism in these patients.
Critical roles of adenosine A2A receptor in regulating the balance of Treg/Th17 cells in allergic asthma
Authors: Wang Linlin , Wan Huanying , Tang Wei , Ni Yingmeng , Hou Xiaoxia , Pan Lina , Song Yuanlin , Shi Guochao 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIntroductionDeficiency of Treg cells and hyperactivity of Th17 cells together are involved in the immunological pathogenesis of asthma. The adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) plays a critical role in the increased Foxp3 expression of Treg cells and the decreased Th17 generation.ObjectiveThe study aimed to investigate A2AR expression in peripheral blood and its regulatory effect on balance of Treg/Th17 cells in asthma.MethodsThirty‐one patients with chronic persistent asthma were recruited and divided into 18 intermittent to mild asthma patients, 13 moderate to severe asthma patients. A2AR, Foxp3, and ROR‐γt mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). TGF‐β, IL‐17, and IgE in plasma were detected with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Forty‐two BALB/c mice were randomly, equally assigned to control group, ovalbumin (OVA) group and OVA + CGS (CGS21680, A2AR agonist) group. The infiltration of lung inflammation cells were evaluated by HE, A2AR, Foxp3, and ROR‐γt mRNA in lung tissues measured by qPCR, TGF‐β, IL‐17, and IgE in plasma measured with ELISA, and IL‐17 and TGF‐β protein in lung tissues analyzed with immunohistochemical.ResultsOur results showed that expression A2AR mRNA in PBMCs was associated with asthma severity. Foxp3 mRNA, TGF‐β, and FEV1%pred positively correlated with A2AR mRNA in asthma. ROR‐γt mRNA and IL‐17 negatively correlated with A2AR mRNA in asthma. CGS could promote Foxp3 mRNA expression, TGF‐β, and improve lung function while inhibit ROR‐γt mRNA expression, IL‐17, and the infiltration of lung inflammation cells.ConclusionA2AR could regulate the balance of Treg/Th17 cells in asthma.
The Political Discourses of three Contemporary Muslim Scholars: Secular, Nonsecular, or Pseudosecular?
Authors: Akbar Ali 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIt is well‐known that the quest for an Islamic state was a desire common to most Islamists of the twentieth and twenty‐first centuries. This article discusses three contemporary political theories that stand in sharp contrast to the Islamists’ theory of an Islamic state. These political theories are developed by three prominent contemporary Muslim scholars, Nasr Hamid Abū Zayd, Ablodkarim Soroush, and Muhammad Mujtahed Shabestari. The article attempts to discuss the common themes between the views of these scholars concerning governance. It argues that the political theories presented by them significantly differ from those developed by most Islamists, who share the idea that Islam is a self‐sufficient political system. It also argues that while these political theories challenge the idea that incorporates the maximal role for government in religious matters and thus are close to certain aspects of regulations of governance in Western countries, they are different from those political theories in the West that focus on a sharp distinction between religion and state because religion, for such scholar, plays an important role in developing civil society.
Familial hypercholesterolaemia: cholesterol efflux and coronary disease
Authors: Versmissen Jorie , Vongpromek Ranitha , Yahya Reyhana , van der Net Jeroen B. , van Vark‐van der Zee Leonie , Blommesteijn‐Touw Jeannette , Wattimena Darcos , Rietveld Trinet , Pullinger Clive R. , Christoffersen Christina , Dahlbäck Björn , Kane John P. , Mulder Monique , Sijbrands Eric J. G. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundCoronary heart disease (CHD) risk inversely associates with levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). The protective effect of HDL is thought to depend on its functionality, such as its ability to induce cholesterol efflux.Materials and methodsWe compared plasma cholesterol efflux capacity between male familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) patients with and without CHD relative to their non‐FH brothers, and examined HDL constituents including sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) and its carrier apolipoprotein M (apoM).ResultsSeven FH patients were asymptomatic and six had experienced a cardiac event at a mean age of 39 years. Compared to their non‐FH brothers, cholesterol efflux from macrophages to plasma from the FH patients without CHD was 16 ± 22% (mean ± SD) higher and to plasma from the FH patients with CHD was 7 ± 8% lower (P = 0·03, CHD vs. non‐CHD). Compared to their non‐FH brothers, FH patients without CHD displayed significantly higher levels of HDL‐cholesterol, HDL‐S1P and apoM, while FH patients with CHD displayed lower levels than their non‐FH brothers.ConclusionsA higher plasma cholesterol efflux capacity and higher S1P and apoM content of HDL in asymptomatic FH patients may play a role in their apparent protection from premature CHD.