bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cranial morphology and taxonomic resolution of some dolphin taxa (Delphinidae) in Australian waters, with a focus on the genus Tursiops
Authors: Jedensjö Maria , Kemper Catherine M. , Krützen Michael 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPhylogenetic relationships in the family Delphinidae have been widely debated. We examined 347 skulls of Tursiops, Stenella, Delphinus, Steno, Lagenodelphis, and Sousa in order to resolve the phylogenetic position of Australian species of Tursiops. Five Tursiops type specimens were included. Cranial morphology was described using 2‐dimensional (2‐D) and 3‐dimensional geometric morphometrics (3‐GM), counts and categorical data. Analyses showed a clear morphological separation of Tursiops, including type specimens, from other genera. The three Stenella species did not cluster together. Stenella attenuata clustered with Delphinus delphis, and Stenella coeruleoalba with Lagenodelphis hosei. Length and width of the skull and rostrum were important discriminators in both methods. For 3‐D data, round vs. angular posterior skull shape distinguished some genera. Taxa that overlapped in the multivariate analyses had different mean tooth counts. Our study challenges genetic studies that identified Tursiops as polyphyletic, with T. aduncus closer to S. attenuata.
Antifungal susceptibility of Candida species isolated from patients with candidemia in southern Taiwan, 2007–2012: impact of new antifungal breakpoints
Authors: Chen Yi‐Chun , Kuo Shu‐Fang , Chen Fang‐Ju , Lee Chen‐Hsiang 
Published: September 2016

SummaryThe Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) revised the clinical breakpoints (CBPs) for the azoles and echinocandins against Candida species in 2012. We aimed to report the epidemiology of candidemia and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species and evaluate the impact of new CBPs on antifungal susceptibility in our region. All blood isolates of Candida species were obtained from 2007 to 2012. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of fluconazole, voriconazole, echinocandins and flucytosine against Candida isolates were determined by Sensititre YeastOne system. Differences in susceptibility rates between the CBPs of previous and revised versions of CLSI were examined. Of 709 Candida isolates, the fluconazole‐susceptible rate was 96.5% in Candida albicans, 85.8% in Candida tropicalis and 92.1% in Candida parapsilosis by the revised CBPs. Compared with the susceptibility results by previous CBPs, the marked reductions in susceptibility of C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis to fluconazole, that of C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis to voriconazole, that of C. tropicalis and Candida glabrata to anidulafungin and that of C. tropicalis, C. glabrata and Candida krusei to caspofungin by revised CBPs were found. In conclusion, Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis remain highly susceptible to fluconazole. The non‐susceptible rates of Candida species to azoles and echinocandins increase with interpretation by the revised CBPs.
Ecosystems off track: rate‐induced critical transitions in ecological models
Authors: Siteur Koen , Eppinga Maarten B. , Doelman Arjen , Siero Eric , Rietkerk Max 
Published: September 2016

Theory suggests that gradual environmental change may erode the resilience of ecosystems and increase their susceptibility to critical transitions. This notion has received a lot of attention in ecology in recent decades. An important question receiving far less attention is whether ecosystems can cope with the rapid environmental changes currently imposed. The importance of this question was recently highlighted by model studies showing that elevated rates of change may trigger critical transitions, whereas slow environmental change would not. This paper aims to provide a mechanistic understanding of these rate‐induced critical transitions to facilitate identification of rate sensitive ecosystems. Analysis of rate sensitive ecological models is challenging, but we demonstrate how rate‐induced transitions in an elementary model can still be understood. Our analyses reveal that rate‐induced transitions 1) occur if the rate of environmental change is high compared to the response rate of ecosystems, 2) are driven by rates, rather than magnitudes, of change and 3) occur once a critical rate of change is exceeded. Disentangling rate‐induced transitions from classical transitions in observations would be challenging. However, common features of rate‐sensitive models suggest that ecosystems with coupled fast–slow dynamics, exhibiting repetitive catastrophic shifts or displaying periodic spatial patterns are more likely to be rate sensitive. Our findings are supported by experimental studies showing rate‐dependent outcomes. Rate sensitivity of models suggests that the common definition of ecological resilience is not suitable for a subset of real ecosystems and that formulating limits to magnitudes of change may not always safeguard against ecosystem degradation.SynthesisUnderstanding and predicting ecosystem response to environmental change is one of the key challenges in ecology. Model studies have suggested that slow, gradual environmental change beyond some critical threshold can trigger so‐called critical transitions and abrupt ecosystem degradation. An important question remains however whether ecosystems can cope with the ongoing rapid anthropogenic environmental changes to which they are currently imposed. In this study we demonstrate that in some ecological models elevated rates of change can trigger critical transitions even if slow environmental change of the same magnitude would not. Such rateinduced critical transitions in models suggest that concepts like resilience and planetary boundaries may not always be sufficient to explain and prevent ecosystem degradation.
UVR protection influences fructosamine level after sun exposure of healthy adults
Authors: Mianowska Beata , Narbutt Joanna , Young Antony Richard , Fendler Wojciech , Małachowska Beata , Młynarski Wojciech , Lesiak Aleksandra 
Published: September 2016

SummaryBackgroundSeasonal variation in glycated hemoglobin levels has been observed, and sun exposure has been considered as one of the factors associated with this relationship. Fructosamine is a short‐time marker of blood protein glycation.AimWe investigated the effect of seven days of sunbathing on blood fructosamine concentration in healthy volunteers using different ultraviolet radiation (UVR) protections.Materials and MethodsParticipants were assigned to one of three groups: group A – used a UVA and UVB absorbing sunscreen (N = 15), group B – used a UVB absorbing sunscreen (N = 18), and group C – followed uncontrolled sun protection habits (N = 22).ResultsOverall, the fructosamine concentration did not change after sun exposure (baseline 248.8 μmol/l, 25–75%: 238.5 to 258.8 μmol/l vs. after 247.3 μmol/l, 25–75%: 234.9 to 261.8 μmol/l, P = 0.6637). Median change of fructosamine differed significantly between groups (A: −1.90 μmol/l, 25–75%: −17.10 to 1.80 μmol/l vs. B: −3.80 μmol/l, 25–75%: −18.50 to 2.40 μmol/l vs. C: +4.05 μmol/l, 25–75%: −3.20 to 22.0 μmol/l; one‐way ANOVAP = 0.0277). After age adjustment and combining groups A and B, the difference in change of fructosamine concentration was statistically significant between groups A + B (decrease) vs. group C (increase, P = 0.0193).ConclusionAppropriate sunscreen use during sunbathing resulted in decreased fructosamine concentrations, while inadequate UVR protection resulted in its increase.
Is tumour necrosis factor α the molecular basis of concomitant immunity in schistosomiasis?
Authors: Hagan Paul , Garside Paul , Kusel John R. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryPrior to the development of high levels of resistance to infection with schistosomes, some mechanism appears to limit the number of productive worms in individuals, since children do not become superinfected, despite continued exposure to infection. One way in which infection levels might be limited, is through the generation of a concomitant immunity. Concomitant immunity results in the destruction of newly invading schistosomula whilst established adult worms continue to survive. Recent studies have provided evidence that TNFα enhances worm fecundity and is essential for granuloma formation. TNFα may therefore be important in worm reproduction and transmission, since the granuloma may serve to assist the passage oft he eggs out of the tissues. With the additional evidence that the cytotoxic activity of lymphokine‐activated macrophages against schistosomula may be, at least in part, due to the action of TNFα, we propose that TNFα may also be responsible for the phenomenon of concomitant immunity.
Defective mucosal immunity and normal systemic immunity of Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus, to reinfection with Strongyloides venezuelensis
Authors: Khan A.I. , Horii Y. , Nawa Y. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryThe systemic and local protective activity of Mongolian gerbils was examined after re‐infection with Strongyloides venezuelensis. Mongolian gerbils were unable to expel S. venezuelensis adult worms from the intestine for over ten weeks after a primary infection. Therefore, immune animals were prepared by treating with mebendazole four weeks after a primary infection and then they were challenged by different maturation stages of the parasite; subcutaneous inoculation with the infective larvae ( L3) obtained by faecal culture, oral administration of L3 obtained from the lungs of rats three days after a primary infection, or oral implantation of adult worms obtained from the intestines of rats seven days after a primary infection. The results show that, although immune animals were highly resistant against challenge infection by subcutaneous inoculation with cultured L3, they were unable to expel orally administered lung‐recovered L3 nor orally implanted adult worms. Although potentiated mastocytosis was induced by challenge infections with lung‐recovered L3 and adult worms, all mast cells were formalin‐resistant, heparin‐containing cells and never seen in the epithelial layer. In spite of the defective protective capacity at the intestinal mucosa, circulating antibody production specific to S. venezuelensis adult as well as L3 antigen was positive. Therefore, the inability of Mongolian gerbils to expel S. venezuelensis adult worms from the intestine seems to be due to the defects of effector/regulator cells, presumably mast cells, but not due to immune unresponsiveness to parasite antigen.
A theoretical framework for immune responses and predisposition to helminth infection
Authors: Woolhouse M.E.J. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryMany field studies of human helminth infections have reported a positive correlation between parasite burdens and the rate of re‐establishment of infection following chemotherapy, i.e., predisposition. Some studies have also reported the relationships between re‐establishment and exposure and immune responses. The interpretation of these data is made difficult by the complexity of the underlying immunoepidemiological processes. In this paper, simple mathematical models are used to explore expected patterns, especially in relation to host age. These patterns are determined by rates of infection, parasite life expectancy, the level of immunological responsiveness, the duration of immunological memory, and may be greatly affected by the immunogenic roles of different parasite stages. In general, acquired immunity is predicted to reduce the degree of predisposition. This reduction is age‐dependent and may generate ‘negative predisposition’ in some age classes. Age‐dependent reductions in the correlation between re‐establishment and exposure are also predicted. The correlation between re‐establishment and protective immune responses is also predicted to be age‐dependent, but may remain positive for all ages despite significant acquired immunity. The results suggest that great care is needed in the interpretation of immunoepidemiological data from treatment‐reinfection studies.
Correlations between worm burden and markers of Th1 and Th2 cell subset induction in an inbred strain of mouse infected with Trichuris muris
Authors: Else K.J. , Entwistle G.M. , Grencis R.K. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryHelper T cell subset induction was examined within a single inbred strain of mouse ( B10.D2/n) where individuals varied in their ability to expel the nematode parasite Trichuris muris. In this mouse strain approximately half of infected individuals resist infection whilst half are unable to expel the parasite and harbour chronic mature adult worm infections. We here assess various T cell and serological parameters in individual B10.D2/n mice infected with T. muris in relation to the number of parasites harboured. Worm burdens showed very significant negative correlations with five different parameters indicative of the selective expansion within the host of helper T cells of the Th2 subset. Thus, in vitro IL‐5 and 1L‐9 production by restimulated mesenteric lymph node cells, totallgE levels, the early parasite‐specific IgG1 response (all P < 0·01) and intestinal eosinophilia (P < 0·05), were all significantly negatively correlated with worm burden. In addition, levels of IL‐3 were significantly greater in mice resistant to infection (P < 0·01). In contrast there was a significant positive correlation between worm burden and parasite‐specific IgG2a levels (P < 0·05), IgG2a production being under the tight control of the Th1‐specific cytokine IFN‐y and thus a reliable marker for in vivo Th1 cell activation. The data demonstrates that an individual infected with T. muris is capable of mounting either a protective Th2‐type response or an inappropriate Th1‐type response. Thus, under conditions where host genetic factors and route of antigen introduction into the host are identical, polarized helper T cell responses can arise and hence may be due to a parasite‐derived influence rather than an intrinsic difference between hosts per se.
The Human Race as Geological Agents: Communicating Climate Change Science
Authors: Knox Claire Connolly 
Published: September 2016

Related Content: Balfour and Newbold (PAR November/December 2016)Related Content: King (PAR November/December 2016)Related Content: Fiorino (PAR November/December 2016)Related Content: Brook (PAR November/December 2016)Related Content: Ingrams (PAR November/December 2016)
Variability of breathing during wakefulness while using CPAP predicts adherence
Authors: Fujita Yukio , Yamauchi Motoo , Uyama Hiroki , Kumamoto Makiko , Koyama Noriko , Yoshikawa Masanori , Strohl Kingman P. , Kimura Hiroshi 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveThe standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. However, long‐term adherence remains at ~50% despite improvements in behavioural and educational interventions. Based on prior work, we explored whether regularity of breathing during wakefulness might be a physiologic predictor of CPAP adherence.MethodsOf the 117 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with OSA and prescribed CPAP, 79 CPAP naïve patients were enrolled in this prospective study. During CPAP initiation, respiratory signals were collected using respiratory inductance plethysmography while wearing CPAP during wakefulness in a seated position. Breathing regularity was assessed by the coefficient of variation (CV) for breath‐by‐breath estimated tidal volume (VT
) and total duration of respiratory cycle (Ttot). In a derivation group (n = 36), we determined the cut‐off CV value which predicted poor CPAP adherence at the first month of therapy, and verified the validity of this predetermined cut‐off value in the remaining participants (validation group; n = 43).ResultsIn the derivation group, the CV for estimated VT
was significantly higher in patients with poor adherence than with good adherence (median (interquartile range): 44.2 (33.4–57.4) vs 26.0 (20.4–33.2), P < 0.001). The CV cut‐off value for estimated VT
for poor CPAP adherence was 34.0, according to a receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve. In the validation group, the CV value for estimated VT
>34.0 confirmed to be predicting poor CPAP adherence (sensitivity, 0.78; specificity, 0.83).ConclusionAt the initiation of therapy, breathing regularity during wakefulness while wearing CPAP is an objective predictor of short‐term CPAP adherence.
Structural Mapping of the Bentong‐Raub Suture Zone Using PALSAR Remote Sensing Data, Peninsular Malaysia: Implications for Sediment‐hosted/Orogenic Gold Mineral Systems Exploration
Authors: Pour Amin Beiranvand , Hashim Mazlan , Makoundi Charles , Zaw Khin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe Bentong‐Raub Suture Zone (BRSZ) of Peninsular Malaysia is one of the major structural zones in Sundaland, Southeast Asia. It forms the boundary between the Gondwana‐derived Sibumasu terrane in the west and Sukhothai Arc in the east. The BRSZ is genetically related to the sediment‐hosted/orogenic gold deposits associated with the major lineaments in the Central Gold Belt of Peninsular Malaysia. In this investigation, the Phased Array type L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) satellite remote sensing data were used to map major geological structures in Peninsular Malaysia and provide detailed characterization of lineaments and curvilinear structures in the BRSZ, as well as their implication for sediment‐hosted/orogenic gold exploration in tropical environments. Major structural lineaments such as the Bentong‐Raub Suture Zone (BRSZ) and Lebir Fault Zone, ductile deformation related to crustal shortening, brittle disjunctive structures (faults and fractures) and collisional mountain range (Main Range granites) were detected and mapped at regional scale using PALSAR ScanSAR data. The major geological structure directions of the BRSZ were N–S, NNE–SSW, NE–SW and NW–SE, which derived from directional filtering analysis to PALSAR fine and polarimetric data. The pervasive array of N–S faults in the Central Gold Belt and surrounding terrain is mainly linked to the N–S trending of the Suture Zone. N–S striking lineaments are often cut by younger NE–SW and NW–SE‐trending lineaments. Gold mineralized trend lineaments are associated with the intersection of N–S, NE–SW, NNW–SSE and ESE–WNW faults and curvilinear features in shearing and alteration zones. Compressional tectonic structures such as the NW–SE trending thrust, ENE–WSW oriented faults in mylonite and phyllite, recumbent folds and asymmetric anticlines in argillite are high potential zones for gold prospecting in the Central Gold Belt. Three generations of folding events in Peninsular Malaysia have been recognized from remote sensing structural interpretation. Consequently, PALSAR satellite remote sensing data is a useful tool for mapping major geological structural features and detailed structural analysis of fault systems and deformation areas with high potential for sediment‐hosted/orogenic gold deposits and polymetallic vein‐type mineralization along margins of Precambrian blocks, especially for inaccessible regions in tropical environments.
Models for Extremal Dependence Derived from Skew‐symmetric Families
Authors: Beranger Boris , Padoan Simone A. , Sisson Scott A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSkew‐symmetric families of distributions such as the skew‐normal and skew‐t represent supersets of the normal and t distributions, and they exhibit richer classes of extremal behaviour. By defining a non‐stationary skew‐normal process, which allows the easy handling of positive definite, non‐stationary covariance functions, we derive a new family of max‐stable processes – the extremal skew‐t process. This process is a superset of non‐stationary processes that include the stationary extremal‐t processes. We provide the spectral representation and the resulting angular densities of the extremal skew‐t process and illustrate its practical implementation.
Patterns and predictors of severe postpartum anemia after Cesarean section
Authors: Butwick Alexander J. , Walsh Eileen M. , Kuzniewicz Michael , Li Sherian X. , Escobar Gabriel J. 
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUNDPostpartum anemia is associated with maternal and perinatal morbidity. Population‐level data may inform guideline development for postpartum anemia screening. Our objectives were to evaluate the associations between potential predictors (predelivery anemia and postpartum hemorrhage [PPH]) with severe postpartum anemia after Cesarean section.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSData were collected from 70,939 hospitalizations for Cesarean section performed at Kaiser Permanente Northern California facilities between 2005 and 2013. Severe postpartum anemia was defined as a hemoglobin (Hb) level of less than 8 g/dL before hospital discharge. Using multivariable logistic regression, we assessed the associations between predelivery anemia and PPH with severe postpartum anemia. Distributions of these characteristics among women with severe postpartum anemia were evaluated.RESULTSThe overall rate of severe postpartum anemia was 7.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.1%‐7.4%). Severe postpartum anemia was strongly associated with a predelivery Hb level between 10 and 10.9 g/dL (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.4; 95% CI, 4.89‐5.91), predelivery Hb level of less than 10 g/dL (aOR, 30.6; 95% CI, 27.21‐34.6), and PPH (aOR, 8.45; 95% CI, 7.8‐9.16). The proportions of women with severe postpartum anemia were highest for those experiencing PPH but no predelivery anemia (12.2%; 95% CI, 11.0%‐13.6%) and those who did not incur PPH nor predelivery anemia (10.7%; 95% CI, 9.6%‐12.0%).CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that PPH and predelivery anemia are strong independent risk factors for severe postpartum anemia. Optimization of patients' Hb before delivery may reduce the incidence of severe anemia after Cesarean section.
Can ultraviolet light C decrease the environmental burden of antimicrobial‐resistant and ‐sensitive bacteria on textiles?
Authors: Bentley Jennifer J. , Santoro Domenico , Gram Dunbar W. , Dujowich Mauricio , Marsella Rosanna 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundThe environment is important in transmission of bacteria. Textiles are difficult and time consuming to clean; ultraviolet light C (UVC) is germicidal and may be an effective disinfection method for textile surfaces.ObjectiveThis study evaluated the efficacy of UVC, a commercial quaternary ammonium compound antimicrobial spray (FAS) and UVC+FAS combined for reducing bacterial colonization on experimentally contaminated textiles.MethodsMicrofibre, cotton and polyester were inoculated with meticillin‐sensitive and ‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA), Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MSSP and MRSP), Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Escherichia coli. ATCC® strains were used except for MRSP, for which ten canine clinical isolates were collected. Textiles were treated with three doses of UVC (13 mJ/cm2, 54 mJ/cm2 or 270 mJ/cm2), FAS or both (FAS and UVC at 270 mJ/cm2). UVC was delivered using a modified mercury‐based lamp. Bleach (8.25%) was used as a positive control. Negative controls received no treatment. Surface bacterial counts were determined 24 h post‐treatment.ResultsThe lower dosages (13 mJ/cm2 and 54 mJ/cm2) of UVC had >90% colony forming unit (CFU) reduction, 270 mJ/cm2 had >99% CFU reduction and combined UVC+FAS had 100% CFU reduction against all bacterial strains on all surfaces (P < 0.05). Ten experiments showed that treatment with UVC had a greater CFU reduction when compared to FAS alone (P < 0.05). A majority of those experiments (seven of 10) involved Gram‐negative species (P. aeruginosa or E. coli).ConclusionUVC quickly reduced the bacterial burden on textiles to greater than 90%; UVC may be a better disinfecting agent than FAS for Gram‐negative species.