bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional connectivity and genetic diversity of Eulaema atleticana (Apidae, Euglossina) in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest Corridor: assessment of gene flow
Authors: Rosa Jaqueline Figuerêdo , Ramalho Mauro , Arias Maria Cristina 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe mobility and dispersal of organisms affect population genetics and dynamics, and consequently affect persistence and the risk of extinction. Thus, it is important to understand how organisms move in the fragmented landscapes in order to manage populations and predict the effects of habitat changes on species persistence. This study evaluated the functional connectivity of an orchid bee (Eulaema atleticana Nemésio, 2009) with a high fidelity to forest habitats in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest Corridor by analyzing genetic diversity, spatial genetic structure, and gene flow estimated from microsatellite and mitochondrial markers. Genetic diversity was not correlated with area of the forest fragments, or with forest isolation. At the mosaic scale, Eulaema atleticana showed no significant or low genetic differentiation, indicating genetic homogeneity among forest fragments. A previous field study indicated that Eulaema atleticana was one of the most sensitive Euglossina bees to forest fragmentation but the present molecular analyses demonstrates that current gene flow is sufficient to maintain genetic variability at the mosaic scale.
Comparing parasitoid life histories
Authors: Mayhew Peter J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSpecies and clades are characterized by their unique combinations, or suites, of life‐history traits. In parasitoids, traits include a core group common to other organisms, and a parasitoid‐specific group. These organize into several sets of mutually covarying traits which overlap a little, but not wholly, with other sets. Across parasitoid species, host size, clutch size, and body size tend to covary. Roughly independent of these is a dichotomy between idiobionts (host does not develop after parasitization), which tend to have fast development but slow adult life histories, and koinobionts (hosts develop after parasitization) with the opposite set of traits. Consistent links between the dichotomy and host characteristics remain elusive. A low ovigeny index (low allocation to early reproduction) is found in idiobionts, and is a predictor of some of the dichotomous set, but also more host feeding, egg resorption, solitary development, and larger bodies. Variation in fecundity, in taxonomically restricted studies, is predicted by the host stage attacked, but this is not reflected in taxonomically broad studies. The reasons behind trait co‐variation are only partly understood. Analyses of evolutionary lability suggest that variation in development mode and body size tends to be clustered within higher taxonomic levels, with variation in other traits such as lifespan, fecundity, and egg size more evenly distributed across taxonomic levels. Thus, taxonomically constrained radiations of parasitoids tend to retain a particular suite of traits that revolve around fundamental shifts in hosts and their use that occur relatively rarely. Parasitoids illustrate how the fast‐slow continuum can be much less extensive than in mammals, how the ecology of the host affects the life histories of parasitic organisms, how different taxa require different life‐history theories, and how understanding resource allocation in early adult life can help explain life‐history variation.
Evidence that some long‐lasting effects of direct current in the rat spinal cord are activity‐independent
Authors: Jankowska Elzbieta , Kaczmarek Dominik , Bolzoni Francesco , Hammar Ingela 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe effects of trans‐spinal direct current (DC) stimulation (tsDCS) on specific neuronal populations are difficult to elucidate, as it affects a variety of neuronal networks. However, facilitatory and depressive effects on neurons processing information from the skin and from muscles can be evaluated separately when weak (0.2–0.3 μA) DC is applied within restricted areas of the rat spinal cord. The effects of such local DC application were recently demonstrated to persist for at least 1 h, and to include changes in the excitability of afferent fibres and their synaptic actions. However, whether these effects require activation of afferent fibres in spinal neuronal pathways during DC application, i.e. whether they are activity‐dependent or activity‐independent, remained an open question. The aim of the present study was to address this question by analysing the effects of local DC application on monosynaptic actions of muscle and skin afferents (extracellular field potentials) and afferent fibre excitability. The results revealed that long‐lasting post‐polarization changes evoked without concomitant activation of afferent fibres replicate changes evoked by stimuli applied during, before and after polarization. The study leads to the conclusion that the reported effects are activity‐independent. As this conclusion applies to the local effects of DC application in at least two spinal pathways and to the effects of both cathodal and anodal polarization, it indicates that some of the more widespread effects of trans‐spinal and trans‐cranial stimulation (both tsDCS and transcranial DC stimulation) may be activity‐independent. The results may therefore contribute to the design of more specific DC applications in clinical practice.
Angiotensin‐(1‐7) improves non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis through an adiponectin‐independent mechanism
Authors: Tang Ailian , Li Can , Zou Nan , Zhang Qian , Liu Meiling , Zhang Xia 
Published: March 2016

AimRecent evidence suggests that angiotensin‐(1‐7) [Ang‐(1‐7)] could improve non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) through an adiponectin‐dependent mechanism. This study aimed to investigate whether and how Ang‐(1‐7) influences NASH without adiponectin.MethodsAdiponectin knockout mice were fed with a high fat diet (HFD) or normal chow for 6 months, and were subsequently infused with Ang‐(1‐7) or saline for 2 weeks.ResultsWe found that HFD‐fed mice showed obesity, hyperlipidemia, NASH, and significantly increased levels of serum Ang‐(1‐7). Chronic infusion of Ang‐(1‐7) could reduce body weight, absolute and relative liver weight, and serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in HFD‐fed mice. In addition, Ang‐(1‐7) treatment could attenuate hepatocellular inflammation, steatosis, and ballooning with activation of the hepatic AMP‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway in HFD‐fed knockout mice.ConclusionsThese results showed the protective role of Ang‐(1‐7) in the development of NASH through an adiponectin‐independent mechanism, which may be partially attributed to the activation of hepatic AMP‐activated protein kinase pathway.
Comparison of preoperative adaptive enlargement of the contralateral normal kidney in patients nephrectomized for benign non‐functioning kidney versus renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Song Wan , Sung Hyun Hwan , Han Deok Hyun , Jeong Byong Chang , Seo Seong Il , Jeon Seong Soo , Lee Hyun Moo , Choi Han Yong , Jeon Hwang Gyun 
Published: March 2016

ObjectivesTo investigate the potential effects of preoperative volumetric compensation of the contralateral normal kidney on renal function after simple nephrectomy or radical nephrectomy.MethodsA total of 306 patients (80 simple nephrectomy patients and 226 radical nephrectomy patients) with 1:3 propensity score matching were included between October 1996 and December 2013. Preoperative three‐dimensional kidney volume was estimated from computed tomography images using a specialized volumetric program. Glomerular filtration rate assessed using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations was checked preoperatively, 1 week, 3 months and 1 year after nephrectomy.ResultsPreoperative mean Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration glomerular filtration rate was 76.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the simple nephrectomy group and 89.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the radical nephrectomy group. In simple nephrectomy patients, mean Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration glomerular filtration rate showed a stable pattern up to 3 months (75.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 7 days and 76.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 3 months), and decreased slightly to 72.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 1 year. However, in radical nephrectomy patients, mean Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration glomerular filtration rate decreased immediately to 63.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 7 days after surgery, and then increased gradually to 64.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 3 months and 65.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 1 year. Preoperative mean contralateral normal kidney volume was 225.7 mL in the simple nephrectomy group and 180.1 mL in the radical nephrectomy group (P < 0.001). The contralateral normal kidney volume to total normal kidney volume ratio was 0.74 in the simple nephrectomy group and 0.51 in the radical nephrectomy group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsPreoperative volumetric compensation of the contralateral normal kidney is important to maintain postoperative renal function in patients undergoing nephrectomy.
Variation in the prion protein sequence in Dutch goat breeds
Authors: Windig J.J. , Hoving R.A.H. , Priem J. , Bossers A. , van Keulen L.J.M. , Langeveld J.P.M. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryScrapie is a neurodegenerative disease occurring in goats and sheep. Several haplotypes of the prion protein increase resistance to scrapie infection and may be used in selective breeding to help eradicate scrapie. In this study, frequencies of the allelic variants of the PrP gene are determined for six goat breeds in the Netherlands. Overall frequencies in Dutch goats were determined from 768 brain tissue samples in 2005, 766 in 2008 and 300 in 2012, derived from random sampling for the national scrapie surveillance without knowledge of the breed. Breed specific frequencies were determined in the winter 2013/2014 by sampling 300 breeding animals from the main breeders of the different breeds. Detailed analysis of the scrapie‐resistant K222 haplotype was carried out in 2014 for 220 Dutch Toggenburger goats and in 2015 for 942 goats from the Saanen derived White Goat breed. Nine haplotypes were identified in the Dutch breeds. Frequencies for non‐wild type haplotypes were generally low. Exception was the K222 haplotype in the Dutch Toggenburger (29%) and the S146 haplotype in the Nubian and Boer breeds (respectively 7 and 31%). The frequency of the K222 haplotype in the Toggenburger was higher than for any other breed reported in literature, while for the White Goat breed it was with 3.1% similar to frequencies of other Saanen or Saanen derived breeds. Further evidence was found for the existence of two M142 haplotypes, M142/S240 and M142/P240. Breeds vary in haplotype frequencies but frequencies of resistant genotypes are generally low and consequently selective breeding for scrapie resistance can only be slow but will benefit from animals identified in this study. The unexpectedly high frequency of the K222 haplotype in the Dutch Toggenburger underlines the need for conservation of rare breeds in order to conserve genetic diversity rare or absent in other breeds.
Effect of Esterification Temperature and Duration on the Physicochemical Properties of Phosphorylated Spelt Starch
Authors: Rożnowski Jacek , Fortuna Teresa , Kłosowska Jadwiga 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe aim of study was to analyze the effect of temperature and duration of modification on physicochemical properties of phosphorylated spelt starch. The thermodynamic properties of samples were conducted using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and pasting properties (RVA) were determined. Flow curves were plotted and the resulting curves described the Herschel‐Bulkley model. The results demonstrated that increasing the temperature of esterification and prolonging the process facilitates the incorporation of phosphorus into starch from 1.6 to 2.3 times. Prolonging the modification of starch reduces the temperatures of phase transformations about 3.6–6.5°C while increasing the final viscosity of starch pastes from 2380 (samples obtained at 115°C for 1 h) to 3827 mPa·s (samples obtained at 130°C for 2 h). However, heating samples at 145°C for 3 h caused reduced its viscosity to 2601 mPa·s. Adjusting the temperature and duration caused the reduction of retrogradation ratio even 24 times, from about 30% to 7%.Practical ApplicationCorn, wheat, rice and potatoes are the major sources of starch used worldwide, but new sources of starch with new functional properties are constantly being sought. Use of modified starch in manufacture can bring the desired properties to the products, but should not hinder the manufacturing process. Different starch modification technologies lead to different product's properties, and therefore application of right modifying technology is important for manufacturing. This paper provides an assessment of the effect of the phosphorylation of spelt starch. Moreover examined effect of different condition of modification on selected physical and chemical properties of the resulting starch samples. The optimize modification process can bring the elimination of level of addition phosphorylated starch to products and that products can be characterized by the same physicochemical properties such as thicked, stabilization, texture smoothing but in the same time more healthy and safe for consumers health.
Nonpharmaceutical Pain Control Adjuncts During First‐Trimester Aspiration Abortion: A Review
Authors: Tschann Mary , Salcedo Jennifer , Kaneshiro Bliss 
Published: March 2016

IntroductionFirst‐trimester aspiration abortion is associated with moderate to severe pain. The effectiveness of adjunctive therapies for pain control is not well understood. This critical review summarizes the existing literature regarding nonpharmacologic interventions to reduce pain during first‐trimester office‐based abortion.MethodsPubMed and Google Scholar were searched using the following search terms in various combinations: “abortion,” “pain,” “nonpharmaceutical,” “nonpharmacologic,” “anxiety,” “fear,” “pain management,” “pain reduction,” “anxiety reduction,” “complementary and alternative medicine,” and “integrative medicine.” Seven articles meeting inclusion criteria were entered into a matrix for comparison. Findings from each study are summarized describing design, results, and themes. These results are summarized to provide evidence‐based clinical guidelines and identify areas for further research.ResultsNone of the nonpharmacologic interventions studied were significantly associated with a reduction in pain or anxiety scores. However, women in many studies strongly endorsed future use of these techniques.DiscussionThe data included in this critical review did not demonstrate a relationship between the nonpharmacologic interventions and pain or anxiety scores, yet participants endorsed these as positive and helpful. Women found value in these supportive interventions, and ongoing investigation into these techniques is warranted.
Remobilization causes site‐specific cyst formation in immobilization‐induced knee cartilage degeneration in an immobilized rat model
Authors: Nagai Momoko , Ito Akira , Tajino Junichi , Iijima Hirotaka , Yamaguchi Shoki , Zhang Xiangkai , Aoyama Tomoki , Kuroki Hiroshi 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAn understanding of the articular cartilage degenerative process is necessary for the prevention and treatment of joint disease. The present study aimed to examine how long‐term immobilization‐induced cartilage degeneration is aggravated by remobilization. Sixty 8‐week‐old male Wistar rats were used in this study. The unilateral knee joint was immobilized using an external fixator for 8 weeks. The rats were killed at 0 and 3 days, and at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after removing the fixator. After the rats were killed, the maximum knee extension angles were measured. Histological sections at the medial mid‐condylar region (non‐contact, transitional and contact regions of the femur and tibia) were prepared and scored. The cartilage thickness and number of chondrocytes were measured, and CD44 and Col2‐3/4c expression levels were assessed immunohistochemically. The histological assessment revealed progressive aggravation of cartilage degeneration in the transitional region, with a decreased number of chondrocytes and CD44‐positive chondrocytes as well as poor scoring over time, particularly in the tibia. Cyst formation was confirmed in the transitional region of the tibia at 8 weeks post‐remobilization. The cartilage thickness in the transitional region was thicker than that in the contact region, particularly in the tibia. Col2‐3/4c expression was observed in the non‐contact and transitional regions, and the knee extension angle was recovered. In conclusion, immobilization‐induced cartilage degeneration was aggravated by remobilization over time in the transitional region, followed by observations of a decreased number of chondrocytes and morphological disparity between different cartilage regions.
Dual trajectories of maternal parenting stress and marital intimacy during toddlerhood
Authors: CHESTER CHARLENE E. , BLANDON ALYSIA Y. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractParenting stress disrupts both parenting and child adjustment. Marital intimacy is often conceptualized as a source of support that may reduce parenting stress. We examined the association between mothers' trajectories of parenting stress and marital intimacy when their children were 15–36 month old. We also explored whether maternal depressive symptoms at 15 months accounted for individual differences concurrently or in the trajectories of parenting stress and marital intimacy. Mothers' marital intimacy was negatively associated with their concurrent levels of parenting stress and declines in parenting stress over time. Depressive symptoms were associated with 15‐month parenting stress and marital intimacy. Overall, intimacy within the marriage appears to be a resource that reduces mothers' parenting stress during the toddler years
Diagnostic performance of 1,3‐beta‐D‐glucan serum screening in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Reischies F.M.J. , Prattes J. , Woelfler A. , Eigl S. , Hoenigl M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe polysaccharide cell wall component, 1,3‐beta‐D‐glucan (BDG), is used as a serum biomarker for invasive fungal infection (IFI). Patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are considered a highly vulnerable group for IFI development. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of serum BDG screening in HSCT recipients.MethodsHSCT recipients were prospectively enrolled in this study between September 2014 and August 2015. Routine serum BDG screening was performed 2–3 times weekly by using the Fungitell® assay. All samples were classified according to the 2008 EORTC/MSG criteria, with serum BDG results not being considered for classification. The diagnostic performance of BDG testing for IFI was calculated. BDG values ≥80 pg/mL were considered positive.ResultsA total of 308 serum samples were collected in 45 patients. The majority of 172 samples (55.8%) were obtained at the early phase (within 30 days) after allogeneic HSCT. BDG levels were significantly higher in 16 possible/probable IFI samples when compared to no evidence for IFI samples (median 170 pg/mL, interquartile range [IQR] 100–274 pg/mL vs. median 15 pg/mL, IQR 15–15 pg/mL; P < 0.001, Mann–Whitney U‐test). Diagnostic performance of serum BDG screening for possible IFI/probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis vs. no evidence for IFI was as follows: sensitivity 81%, specificity 98%, positive predictive value 65%, negative predictive value (NPV) 99%, and diagnostic odds ratio 176 (95% confidence interval 41–761).ConclusionsOur data suggest that serum BDG testing in HSCT patients may be highly specific and associated with a very high NPV of >99%. Therefore, serum BDG may be a helpful tool to rule out IFI in HSCT patients.
Efficacy of pomades containing different percentages of enilconazole in the treatment of bovine dermatophytosis
Authors: Kirmizigul Ali Haydar , Erkilic Ekin Emre , Buyuk Fatih , Gokce Erhan , Citil Mehmet 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundEnilconazole is a broad‐spectrum topical antimycotic agent used for the management of bovine dermatophytosis.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo investigate the efficacy of pomades containing different concentrations of enilconazole for the treatment of bovine dermatophytosis.MethodsDermatophytosis was confirmed in 120 cattle from farm in Gole region of Turkey. Animals were divided into six groups (n = 20 in each). Pomades containing 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% enilconazole were applied topically to individual lesions in groups I–V, respectively, once a day for 3 days. Group VI animals were used as a control group. Animals were monitored clinically once a week for a two month period.ResultsCows treated with pomades containing 4% and 5% enilconazole recovered; adverse topical reactions occurred in 40% and 55% of animals, respectively. The success rate for cows treated with pomades containing 3% enilconazole was 95% and they recovered with no adverse reactions. Success rates for treatment were 25% and 50% for cows treated with pomades containing 1% and 2% enilconazole, respectively. No improvement was observed in the control group.Conclusions and clinical importancePomades containing 3% enilconazole are recommended for the treatment of bovine dermatophytosis.
Inactivation of Acanthamoeba spp. and Other Ocular Pathogens by Application of Cold Atmospheric Gas Plasma
Authors: Heaselgrave Wayne , Shama Gilbert , Andrew Peter W. , Kong Michael G. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT

Currently there are estimated to be approximately 3.7 million contact lens wearers in the United Kingdom and 39.2 million in North America. Contact lens wear is a major risk factor for developing an infection of the cornea known as keratitis due to poor lens hygiene practices. While there is an international standard for testing disinfection methods against bacteria and fungi (ISO 14729), no such guidelines exist for the protozoan
Acanthamoeba
, which causes a potentially blinding keratitis most commonly seen in contact lens wearers, and as a result, many commercially available disinfecting solutions show incomplete disinfection after 6 and 24 h of exposure. Challenge test assays based on international standard ISO 14729 were used to determine the antimicrobial activity of cold atmospheric gas plasma (CAP) against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
,
Candida albicans
, and trophozoites and cysts of
Acanthamoeba polyphaga
and
Acanthamoeba castellanii
.
P. aeruginosa
and
C. albicans
were completely inactivated in 0.5 min and 2 min, respectively, and trophozoites of
A. polyphaga
and
A. castellanii
were completely inactivated in 1 min and 2 min, respectively. Furthermore, for the highly resistant cyst stage of both species, complete inactivation was achieved after 4 min of exposure to CAP. This study demonstrates that the CAP technology is highly effective against bacterial, fungal, and protozoan pathogens. The further development of this technology has enormous potential, as this approach is able to deliver the complete inactivation of ocular pathogens in minutes, in contrast to commercial multipurpose disinfecting solutions that require a minimum of 6 h.