bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary history of Daphnia drives divergence in grazing selectivity and alters temporal community dynamics of producers
Authors: Park John S. , Post David M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractConsumers with different seasonal life histories encounter different communities of producers during specific seasonal phases. If consumers evolve to prefer the producers that they encounter, then consumers may reciprocally influence the temporal composition of producer communities. Here, we study the keystone consumer Daphnia ambigua, whose seasonal life history has diverged due to intraspecific predator divergence across lakes of New England. We ask whether grazing preferences of Daphnia have diverged also and test whether any grazing differences influence temporal composition patterns of producers. We reared clonal populations of Daphnia from natural populations representing the two diverged life history types for multiple generations. We conducted short‐term (24 hr) and long‐term (27 days) grazing experiments in equal polycultures consisting of three diatom and two green algae species, treated with no consumer, Daphnia from lakes with anadromous alewife, or from lakes with landlocked alewife. After 24 hr, life history and grazing preference divergence in Daphnia ambigua drove significant differences in producer composition. However, those differences disappeared at the end of the 27‐day experiment. Our results illustrate that, despite potentially more complex long‐term dynamics, a multitrophic cascade of evolutionary divergence from a predator can influence temporal community dynamics at the producer level.
Taking a trip to the shelf: Behavioral decisions are mediated by the proximity to foraging habitats in the black‐legged kittiwake
Authors: Christensen‐Dalsgaard Signe , May Roel , Lorentsen Svein‐Håkon 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFor marine top predators like seabirds, the oceans represent a multitude of habitats regarding oceanographic conditions and food availability. Worldwide, these marine habitats are being altered by changes in climate and increased anthropogenic impact. This is causing a growing concern on how seabird populations might adapt to these changes. Understanding how seabird populations respond to fluctuating environmental conditions and to what extent behavioral flexibility can buffer variations in food availability can help predict how seabirds may cope with changes in the marine environment. Such knowledge is important to implement proper long‐term conservation measures intended to protect marine predators. We explored behavioral flexibility in choice of foraging habitat of chick‐rearing black‐legged kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla during multiple years. By comparing foraging behavior of individuals from two colonies with large differences in oceanographic conditions and distances to predictable feeding areas at the Norwegian shelf break, we investigated how foraging decisions are related to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. We found that proximity to the shelf break determined which factors drove the decision to forage there. At the colony near the shelf break, time of departure from the colony and wind speed were most important in driving the choice of habitat. At the colony farther from the shelf break, the decision to forage there was driven by adult body condition. Birds furthermore adjusted foraging behavior metrics according to time of the day, weather conditions, body condition, and the age of the chicks. The study shows that kittiwakes have high degree of flexibility in their behavioral response to a variable marine environment, which might help them buffer changes in prey distribution around the colonies. The flexibility is, however, dependent on the availability of foraging habitats near the colony.
Genetic sex determination assays in 53 mammalian species: Literature analysis and guidelines for reporting standardization
Authors: Hrovatin Karin , Kunej Tanja 
Published: December 2017

AbstractErstwhile, sex was determined by observation, which is not always feasible. Nowadays, genetic methods are prevailing due to their accuracy, simplicity, low costs, and time‐efficiency. However, there is no comprehensive review enabling overview and development of the field. The studies are heterogeneous, lacking a standardized reporting strategy. Therefore, our aim was to collect genetic sexing assays for mammals and assemble them in a catalogue with unified terminology. Publications were extracted from online databases using key words such as sexing and molecular. The collected data were supplemented with species and gene IDs and the type of sex‐specific sequence variant (SSSV). We developed a catalogue and graphic presentation of diagnostic tests for molecular sex determination of mammals, based on 58 papers published from 2/1991 to 10/2016. The catalogue consists of five categories: species, genes, SSSVs, methods, and references. Based on the analysis of published literature, we propose minimal requirements for reporting, consisting of: species scientific name and ID, genetic sequence with name and ID, SSSV, methodology, genomic coordinates (e.g., restriction sites, SSSVs), amplification system, and description of detected amplicon and controls. The present study summarizes vast knowledge that has up to now been scattered across databases, representing the first step toward standardization regarding molecular sexing, enabling a better overview of existing tests and facilitating planned designs of novel tests. The project is ongoing; collecting additional publications, optimizing field development, and standardizing data presentation are needed.
Exploring the usefulness of key green physicochemical properties: Quantitative structure–activity relationship for solvents from biomass
Authors: Zuriaga Estefanía , Giner Beatriz , Ribate María Pilar , García Cristina B. , Lomba Laura 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

In recent decades there has been a growing interest in the development of new solvents from biomass. Some of these new solvents have been classified as green because of their renewable and sustainable source. However, characterization from the ecotoxicological and physicochemical points of view is needed to categorize them as green solvents. We have selected several key physicochemical properties that can reflect environmental features (density, boiling point, critical aggregation concentration, and log p) and explored their usefulness for preliminarily assessing the green character of the studied solvents. Specifically, we have studied several solvents from biomass: lactate family (methyl, ethyl, and butyl lactate), furfural family (furfural, 5-methylfurfural, furfuryl alcohol, and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol), and levulinate family (methyl, ethyl, and butyl levulinate). To fill the gaps and complete some toxicity data for the environment, we have measured the ecotoxicity using 2 of the most common and versatile biomodels, bacteria Vibrio fischeri and crustacean Daphnia magna, for furfural- and lactate-derived compounds. The results indicate that solvents from biomass can be categorized as green because their toxicity for the environment is low. Finally, a quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) study was performed with the selected key properties and the ecotoxicological information. Despite the different structure of the chemicals under study, good correlations were found for the studied organisms. It seems that log p and critical aggregation concentration reflect the greatest part of the ecotoxic behavior, whereas density and boiling point cannot reflect toxicity signals. However, these properties are rather useful for assessing the final environmental fate of the studied chemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1014–1023. © 2017 SETAC
Diagnostic accuracy of posterior cervical angle and cervical length in the prediction of successful induction of labor
Authors: Al‐Adwy Akram M. , Sobh Sherin M. , Belal Doaa S. , Omran Eman F. , Hassan Amr , Saad Ahmed H. , Afifi Mai M. , Nada Adel M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the accuracy of the posterior cervical angle (PCA) compared with the cervical length and the Bishop score in predicting the outcome of induction of labor (IOL).MethodsThe present prospective observational study included IOL candidates who had their PCA and cervical length assessed by transvaginal ultrasonography and the Bishop score at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Kasr El‐Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, between April 1 and July 31, 2017. The accuracy of these tests in predicting successful IOL (defined as vaginal delivery) was compared.ResultsThe analysis included 49 women with successful IOL and 21 women with unsuccessful IOL. The suggested cutoffs for the prediction of successful IOL were a PCA of more than 99.5°, a cervical length of less than 34 mm, and a Bishop score of more than five. The areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves for these three measures were not significantly different. However, a PCA of more than 99.5° had the best sensitivity (91.84%), specificity (90.48), positive predictive value (95.7%), negative predictive value (82.6%), positive likelihood ratio (9.64), and negative likelihood ratio (0.09) compared with the other two predictors.ConclusionA PCA of more than 99.5° yielded the best accuracy in predicting successful IOL compared with the cervical length and the Bishop score.ClinicalTrials.govNCT03113227.
The Spectrum of Movement Disorders in Childhood‐onset Lysosomal Storage Diseases
Authors: Ebrahimi‐Fakhari Darius , Hildebrandt Clara , Davis Peter E. , Rodan Lance H. , Anselm Irina , Bodamer Olaf 
Published: December 2017

AbstractView Supplementary Video 1BackgroundMovement disorders are a significant clinical problem in lysosomal storage diseases (LSD) and account for substantial morbidity. The spectrum of movement disorders in childhood‐onset LSD, however, remains poorly defined.ObjectivesTo define the spectrum of movement disorders in a well‐characterized cohort of children with LSD.MethodsA retrospective chart review at a single tertiary care center (Boston Children's Hospital). Patients up to the age of 18 years with a clinical, genetic, and/or biochemical diagnosis of an LSD and at least one predefined movement disorder (parkinsonism, dystonia, ataxia, tremor, chorea, myoclonus, ballism, restless leg syndrome) were included.ResultsNinety‐six patients were identified and 76 patients had a sufficiently document biochemical and/or genetic diagnosis. Of these, 18 patients met inclusion criteria (mean age: 10.3 ± 5.8 [SD] years, range: 3–18 years; 72% male). The most common LSD associated with a movement disorder was Niemann‐Pick disease type C (NPC), followed by several types of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), and different mucopolysaccharidoses. The most common movement disorder was ataxia followed by rest tremor, dystonia, and myoclonus. The other predefined movement disorders were rare. The majority of patients presented with more than one movement disorder. The movement disorder was slowly progressive in all patients. Brain MRI changes included diffuse cerebral volume loss, white matter abnormalities with thinning of the corpus callosum, and cerebellar atrophy.ConclusionsMovement disorders develop in a significant number of LSD patients. Ataxia, often in patients with NPC and NCL, is the most common phenotype but significant heterogeneity exists within and between different LSD.
Deleterious variants in DCHS1 are prevalent in sporadic cases of mitral valve prolapse
Authors: Clemenceau Alisson , Bérubé Jean‐Christophe , Bélanger Paméla , Gaudreault Nathalie , Lamontagne Maxime , Toubal Oumhani , Clavel Marie‐Annick , Capoulade Romain , Mathieu Patrick , Pibarot Philippe , Bosse Yohan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundA recent study identified DCHS1 as a causal gene for mitral valve prolapse. The goal of this study is to investigate the presence and frequency of known and novel variants in this gene in 100 asymptomatic patients with moderate to severe organic mitral regurgitation.MethodsDNA sequencing assays were developed for two previously identified functional missense variants, namely p.R2330C and p.R2513H, and all 21 exons of DCHS1. Pathogenicity of variants was evaluated in silico.Resultsp.R2330C and p.R2513H were not identified in this cohort. Sequencing all coding regions revealed eight missense variants including six considered deleterious. This includes one novel variant (p.A2464P) and two rare variants (p.R2770Q and p.R2462Q). These variants are predicted to be deleterious with combined annotation‐dependent depletion (CADD) scores greater than 25, which are in the same range as p.R2330C (CADD = 28.0) and p.R2513H (CADD = 24.3). More globally, 24 of 100 cases were carriers of at least one in silico‐predicted deleterious missense variant in DCHS1, suggesting that this single gene may account for a substantial portion of cases.ConclusionThis study reveals an important contribution of germline variants in DCHS1 in unrelated patients with mitral valve prolapse and supports genetic testing of this gene to screen individuals at risk.
3D printed phantoms mimicking cortical bone for the assessment of ultrashort echo time magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Rai Robba , Manton David , Jameson Michael G. , Josan Sonal , Barton Michael B. , Holloway Lois C. , Liney Gary P. 
Published: December 2017

PurposeHuman cortical bone has a rapid decay, and it can be visualized using ultrashort echo time (UTE) techniques in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These sequences operate at the limits of gradient and transmit‐receive signal performance. Development of multicompartment anthropomorphic phantoms that can mimic human cortical bone can assist with quality assurance and optimization of UTE sequences.The aims of this study were to (a) characterize the MRI signal properties of a photopolymer resin that can be 3D printed, (b) develop multicompartment phantoms based on the resin, and (c) demonstrate the feasibility of using these phantoms to mimic human anatomy in the assessment of UTE sequences.MethodsA photopolymer resin (Prismlab China Ltd, Shanghai, China) was imaged on a 3 Tesla MRI system (Siemens Skyra) to characterize its MRI properties with emphasis on signal and longevity. Two anthropomorphic phantoms, using the 3D printed resin to simulate skeletal anatomy, were developed and imaged using UTE sequences. A skull phantom was developed and used to assess the feasibility of using the resin to develop a complex model with realistic morphological human characteristics. A tibia model was also developed to assess the suitability of the resin at mimicking a simple multicompartment anatomical model and imaged using a three‐dimensional UTE sequence (PETRA). Image quality measurements of signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and contrast factor were calculated and these were compared to in vivo values.ResultsThe and T1 (mean ± standard deviation) of the photopolymer resin was found to be 411 ± 19 μs and 74.39 ± 13.88 ms, respectively, and demonstrated no statistically significant change during 4 months of monitoring. The resin had a similar decay to human cortical bone; however, had lower T1 properties. The bone water concentration of the resin was 59% relative to an external water reference phantom, and this was higher than in vivo values reported for human cortical bone. The multicompartment anthropomorphic head phantom was successfully produced and able to simulate realistic air cavities, bony anatomy, and soft tissue. Image quality assessment in the tibia phantom using the PETRA sequence showed the suitability of the resin to mimic human anatomy with high SNR and contrast making it suitable for tissue segmentation.ConclusionsA solid resin material, which can be 3D printed, has been found to have similar magnetic resonance signal properties to human cortical bone. Phantoms replicating skeletal anatomy were successfully produced using this resin and demonstrated their use for image quality and segmentation assessment of ultrashort echo time sequences.
Multiple Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived CD271+ Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Overcomes Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Children
Authors: Milczarek Olga , Jarocha Danuta , Starowicz–Filip Anna , Kwiatkowski Stanislaw , Badyra Bogna , Majka Marcin 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
There is a need among patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) for more efficient and less toxic treatments. The objective of the present study was to assess the safety, feasibility, and potential efficacy of autologous bone marrow cell transplantation in pediatric patients with DRE. Two females and two males (11 months to 6 years) were enrolled and underwent a combined therapy consisting of autologous bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNCs) transplantation (intrathecal: 0.5 × 109; intravenous: 0.38 × 109–1.72 × 109) followed by four rounds of intrathecal bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) transplantation (18.5 × 106–40 × 106) every 3 months. The BMMSCs used were a unique population derived from CD271-positive cells. The neurological evaluation included magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography (EEG), and cognitive development assessment. The characteristics of BMMSCs were evaluated. Four intravenous and 20 intrathecal transplantations into the cerebrospinal fluid were performed. There were no adverse events, and the therapy was safe and feasible over 2 years of follow-up. The therapy resulted in neurological and cognitive improvement in all patients, including a reduction in the number of epileptic seizures (from 10 per day to 1 per week) and an absence of status epilepticus episodes (from 4 per week to 0 per week). The number of discharges on the EEG evaluation was decreased, and cognitive improvement was noted with respect to reactions to light and sound, emotions, and motor function. An analysis of the BMMSCs' characteristics revealed the expression of neurotrophic, proangiogenic, and tissue remodeling factors, and the immunomodulatory potential. Our results demonstrate the safety and feasibility of BMNCs and BMMSCs transplantations and the considerable neurological and cognitive improvement in children with DRE.
Concise Review: The Cellular Conspiracy of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Serio Andrea , Patani Rickie 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is incurable and devastating. A dearth of therapies has galvanized experimental focus onto the cellular and molecular mechanisms that both initiate and subsequently drive motor neuron degeneration. A traditional view of ALS pathogenesis posits that disease-specific injury to a subtype of neurons is mechanistically cell-autonomous. This “neuron-centric” view has biased past research efforts. However, a wealth of accumulating evidence now strongly implicates non-neuronal cells as being major determinants of ALS. Although animal models have proven invaluable in basic neuroscience research, a growing number of studies confirm fundamental interspecies differences between popular model organisms and the human condition. This may in part explain the failure of therapeutic translation from rodent preclinical models. It follows that integration of a human experimental model using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells may be necessary to capture the complexity of human neurodegeneration with fidelity. Integration of enriched human neuronal and glial experimental platforms into the existing repertoire of preclinical models might prove transformational for clinical trial outcomes in ALS. Such reductionist and integrated cross-modal approaches allow systematic elucidation of cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms of disease, which may then provide novel cellular targets for therapeutic intervention.
The Worried Well? Characteristics of Cognitively Normal Patients Presenting to a Rural and Remote Memory Clinic
Authors: Verity Ryan , Kirk Andrew , O’Connell Megan E. , Karunanayake Chandima , Morgan Debra G. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIntroduction: In an effort to better understand why cognitively normal patients were referred to a memory clinic, we sought to identify features of “worried well” patients to better identify those more likely to be cognitively normal. Methods: In total, 375 consecutive patients referred by primary care practitioners to a Rural and Remote Memory Clinic were categorized into two groups based on their neurologic diagnosis, “worried well” (cognitively normal, N=81) or “other” (patients with any neurologic diagnosis, N=294). Data collected included: age, sex, years of formal education, Mini-Mental Status Examination score from initial visit, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score, Self-Rating of Memory Scale, alcohol consumption, marital status, hours per week of work, past medical history, sleep concerns, and family history of memory concerns. The two groups were compared using t-tests and χ2 tests. The same comparison was done between the same set of “worried well” patients (cognitively normal, N=81) and the subgroup of patients with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (N=146) from the “other” group. Results: Significant differences included younger age, more formal education, more frequently having previous psychiatric diagnosis and more self-reported alcohol consumption in the “worried well” group. The “worried well” and “Alzheimer’s disease” comparison had the same significant differences as the “worried well” and “other” comparison. Conclusion: We observed a pattern of differences unfold between the “worried well” patients and those with cognitive disease. No one variable was pathognomonic of a “worried well” patient. However, taking all the above into account when evaluating a patient may help clinically.
HIGHER RANDOMNESS AND GENERICITY
Authors: GREENBERG NOAM , MONIN BENOIT 
Published: December 2017

We use concepts of continuous higher randomness, developed in Bienvenuet al.[‘Continuous higher randomness’, J. Math. Log. 17(1) (2017).], to investigate$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}_{1}^{1}$-randomness. We discuss lowness for$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}_{1}^{1}$-randomness, cupping with$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}_{1}^{1}$-random sequences, and an analogue of the Hirschfeldt–Miller characterization of weak 2-randomness. We also consider analogous questions for Cohen forcing, concentrating on the class of$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F4}_{1}^{1}$-generic reals.
Relative influence of dietary protein and energy contents on lysine requirements and voluntary feed intake of rainbow trout fry
Authors: Van Larebeke Mélusine , Dockx Guillaume , Larondelle Yvan , Rollin Xavier 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe effect of dietary digestible protein (DP) and/or digestible energy (DE) levels on lysine (Lys) requirements, Lys utilisation efficiency and voluntary feed intake (VFI) were studied in rainbow trout fry when Lys was the first limiting indispensable amino acid or in excess in the diet. Two trials were conducted at 11·6°C with eighty-one experimental diets, containing 280 g DP/kg DM (low protein (LP), trial 1), 600 g DP/kg DM (high protein (HP), trial 1) or 440 g DP/kg DM (medium protein (MP), trial 2), 17 MJ DE/kg (low energy (LE)), 19·5 MJ DE/kg (medium energy (ME)) or 22 MJ DE/kg (high energy (HE)), and nine Lys levels from deeply deficient to large excess (2·3–36 g/kg DM). Each diet was given to apparent satiety to one group of fifty fry (initial body weight 0·85 g) for 24 (MP diets, trial 2) or 30 (LP and HP diets, trial 1) feeding days. Based on N gain data fitted with the broken-line model, the relative Lys requirement was significantly different with the dietary DP level, from 13·3–15·7 to 22·9–26·5 g/kg DM for LP and HP diets, respectively, but did not significantly change with the DE level for a same protein level. The Lys utilisation efficiency for protein growth above maintenance was constant across diets, suggesting no effect of either dietary DE or DP levels. In Lys excess, the VFI was markedly decreased by the DP level but not by the extra DE supply. Our results suggest that the relative Lys need is best expressed in terms of percentage of protein content for optimum fish feed formulation, at least in rainbow trout fry.