bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do individual Activity Patterns of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) alter the Exposure to Parasitic Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) Larvae?
Authors: Wengström Niklas , Wahlqvist Fredrik , Näslund Joacim , Aldvén David , Závorka Libor , Österling Martin E , Höjesjö Johan 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe hypothesis that interindividual differences in the activity of brown trout alter the exposure to parasitic freshwater pearl mussel glochidia was tested in a Swedish stream. Wild yearling brown trout (N = 103) were caught, individually tagged for identification and scored for open‐field activity during standardized laboratory tests in June. Fifty gravid freshwater pearl mussels were relocated to the stream, where after the trout were released back into the stream. The fish were recaptured in October (N = 35), checked for glochidia encystment (infested individuals: n = 6) and re‐scored for open‐field activity traits. Swimming velocity during the test was higher in fish infected with glochidia, suggesting that high activity could increase their exposure to glochidia. Potentially, as metabolism rate and ventilation rate typically increase with activity, elevated activity may lead to an increased likelihood of glochidia passing over the gills. This novel finding suggests that glochidia infestation is non‐random and that the behaviour of the host fish can influence the likelihood of glochidia infestation.
Associations between hospital characteristics and patient satisfaction in Germany
Authors: Kraska Rike Antje , Weigand Marcel , Geraedts Max 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe patient perspective is increasingly recognized as a central pillar of quality in hospital care. International evidence suggests that an array of interacting factors may influence patient satisfaction with hospital care, whereas only a few studies have examined the impact of hospital characteristics.ObjectiveTo explore which hospital characteristics exert an influence on patient satisfaction with inpatient care.DesignCross‐sectional study using secondary data.Setting and participantsA total of 999 hospitals in Germany with 300 200 patient surveys from 2013 formed the study population. Patient satisfaction was surveyed using the Patients’ Experience Questionnaire, and hospital characteristics were extracted from mandatory quality reports. Only hospitals with at least 75 surveys were included in the analysis.Main variables studied and main outcome measuresFour dimensions of patient satisfaction (medical care, nursing care, organization and overall impression) were studied as the outcome measures. Region, profit orientation, size, staffing per bed and quality scores were considered possible influencing hospital characteristics. We performed risk‐adjusted multivariate analyses.ResultsAll of the characteristics had a significant influence on the patient satisfaction dimensions (P<.05), and patients in East Germany, in small hospitals or in not‐for‐profit hospitals, were more satisfied. Additionally, more staffing per bed as well as a better process and outcome quality were associated with more satisfied patients.ConclusionStructural and quality characteristics of hospitals have a significant impact on patient satisfaction. This association confirms that patients are sensitive to important hospital quality measures and reinforces the consideration of patient satisfaction as an indicator of the quality of care.
Histological analysis and gene expression profile following augmentation of the anterior maxilla using rhBMP‐2/ACS versus autogenous bone graft
Authors: de Freitas Rubens Moreno , Susin Cristiano , Tamashiro Wirla Maria da Silva Cunha , Chaves de Souza João Antonio , Marcantonio Claudio , Wikesjö Ulf ME , Pereira Luís Antônio Violin Dias , Marcantonio Elcio 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimThe objective of this report was to present histological characteristics and gene expression profile of newly formed bone following horizontal augmentation of the atrophic anterior maxilla using recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 in an absorbable collagen sponge carrier (rhBMP‐2/ACS) versus an autogenous bone graft (ABG).MethodsBone core biopsies from 24 subjects participating in a randomized clinical trial were obtained at dental implant placement, 6 months following alveolar ridge augmentation using rhBMP‐2/ACS (rhBMP‐2 at 1.5 mg/ml; total dose 4.2 mg) or a particulate ABG harvested from the mandibular retro‐molar region. A titanium mesh was used to provide wound stability and space for bone formation. Analysis included histological/histometric observations and gene expression profile of the newly formed bone.ResultsrhBMP‐2/ACS yielded bone marrow rich in capillaries, undifferentiated cells and bone lining cells compared with the ABG (p = 0.002). Whereas no significant differences were observed in total bone fraction (p = 0.53), non‐vital bone particles trapped in lamellar vital bone were observed in the ABG group (p < 0.001). Real‐time PCR showed greater BMP‐2 and RUNX2 expression for rhBMP‐2/ACS over the ABG (p = 0.001 and 0.0021, respectively), while the ABG exhibited greater expression of RANKL:OPG, BSP and OPN over rhBMP‐2/ACS (p = 0.01, 0.005 and 0.0009, respectively).ConclusionsOur observations suggest that formative biological processes explain bone formation following implantation of rhBMP‐2/ACS, whereas remodelling, resorptive/formative processes, characterizes sites receiving ABGs.
Both below‐ground and above‐ground functional traits can help predict levee grassland root length density as a proxy for flow erosion resistance
Authors: Helsen Kenny , Vannoppen Wouter , Honnay Olivier , Poesen Jean 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimsConcentrated flow erosion resistance of herbaceous vegetation is linked to vegetation‐level root length density (RLD). However, RLD measurements involve destructive and time‐consuming sampling. Since plant species richness, functional diversity and functional composition are expected to affect RLD through either non‐additive diversity effects or biomass ratio effects, we evaluated whether these measures can be used as a proxy for RLD in levee grassland communities.LocationLevee grassland communities, Scheldt estuary, northern Belgium.MethodsWe assessed the strength of correlation between empirically quantified RLD and species richness, functional diversity and functional composition of levee grasslands. More specifically, we used nine below‐ground and ten above‐ground plant traits retrieved from public databases, and applied linear regressions and partial least square regressions.ResultsPlant functional diversity was a better proxy for RLD than plant species richness, with better predictive performance for below‐ground than for above‐ground traits. More specifically, the highest predictive power was achieved through integration of functional diversity, functional composition and species richness. This suggests that variation in RLD is driven by a combination of both non‐additive diversity effects and biomass ratio effects.ConclusionsThis study provides a first positive indication of the value of plant functional traits retrieved from databases to predict RLD for river levee grasslands. Furthermore, although less reliable than below‐ground traits, above‐ground traits are still useful for RLD prediction when information on below‐ground traits is lacking.
Vibrio cholerae laboratory infection of the adult house fly Musca domestica
Authors: EL‐BASSIONY G. M. , LUIZZI V. , NGUYEN D. , STOFFOLANO J. G. , PURDY A. E. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe present study was designed to test the hypothesis that house flies may be capable of specifically harbouring ingested Vibrio cholerae in their digestive tracts. Flies were continuously fed green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐labelled, non‐O1/non‐O139 environmental strains of V. cholerae. Bacterial burdens were quantitatively measured using plate counts and localization was directly observed using confocal microscopy. Vibrio cholerae were present in the fly alimentary canal after just 4 h, and reached a plateau of ∼107 colony‐forming units (CFU)/fly after 5 days in those flies most tolerant of the pathogen. However, individual flies were resistant to the pathogen: one or more flies were found to carry < 180 V. cholerae CFU at each time‐point examined. In flies carrying V. cholerae, the pathogen was predominantly localized to the midgut rather than the rectal space or crop. The proportion of house flies carrying V. cholerae in the midgut was dose‐dependent: the continuous ingestion of a concentrated, freshly prepared dose of V. cholerae increased the likelihood that fluorescent cells would be observed. However, V. cholerae may be a transient inhabitant of the house fly. This work represents the first demonstration that V. cholerae can inhabit the house fly midgut, and provides a platform for future studies of host, pathogen and environmental mediators of the successful colonization of this disease vector.
Genome‐wide associations with flowering time in switchgrass using exome‐capture sequencing data
Authors: Grabowski Paul P. , Evans Joseph , Daum Chris , Deshpande Shweta , Barry Kerrie W. , Kennedy Megan , Ramstein Guillaume , Kaeppler Shawn M. , Buell C. Robin , Jiang Yiwei , Casler Michael D. 
Published: July 2016

Summary

Flowering time is a major determinant of biomass yield in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), a perennial bioenergy crop, because later flowering allows for an extended period of vegetative growth and increased biomass production. A better understanding of the genetic regulation of flowering time in switchgrass will aid the development of switchgrass varieties with increased biomass yields, particularly at northern latitudes, where late‐flowering but southern‐adapted varieties have high winter mortality.

We use genotypes derived from recently published exome‐capture sequencing, which mitigates challenges related to the large, highly repetitive and polyploid switchgrass genome, to perform genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) using flowering time data from a switchgrass association panel in an effort to characterize the genetic architecture and genes underlying flowering time regulation in switchgrass.

We identify associations with flowering time at multiple loci, including in a homolog of FLOWERING LOCUS T and in a locus containing TIMELESS, a homolog of a key circadian regulator in animals.

Our results suggest that flowering time variation in switchgrass is due to variation at many positions across the genome. The relationship of flowering time and geographic origin indicates likely roles for genes in the photoperiod and autonomous pathways in generating switchgrass flowering time variation.
From start to finish: amino‐terminal protein modifications as degradation signals in plants
Authors: Gibbs Daniel J. , Bailey Mark , Tedds Hannah M. , Holdsworth Michael J. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryThe amino‐ (N‐) terminus (Nt) of a protein can undergo a diverse array of co‐ and posttranslational modifications. Many of these create degradation signals (N‐degrons) that mediate protein destruction via the N‐end rule pathway of ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis. In plants, the N‐end rule pathway has emerged as a major system for regulated control of protein stability. Nt‐arginylation‐dependent degradation regulates multiple growth, development and stress responses, and recently identified functions of Nt‐acetylation can also be linked to effects on the in vivo half‐lives of Nt‐acetylated proteins. There is also increasing evidence that N‐termini could act as important protein stability determinants in plastids. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of the relationship between the nature of protein N‐termini, Nt‐processing events and proteolysis in plants.

Contents

Summary
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I.
Introduction
1188

II.
The plant Arg/N‐end rule: a central regulator of development and stress signalling
1189

III.
Nt‐acetylation as a putative degradation signal in plants
1190

IV.
The N‐terminus as a stability determinant in plastids
1191

V.
Concluding remarks
1192

Acknowledgements
1192

References
1192
Hispania and the Atlantic Route in Roman Times: new Approaches to Ports and Trade
Authors: Morillo Ángel , Fernández Ochoa Carmen , Salido Domínguez Javier 
Published: July 2016

SummaryThis paper explores the role of Hispania in the Atlantic route in Roman times. We analyse the different Atlantic Iberian territories along this route, based on recent archaeological advances and discoveries related to trade as well as the shipping infrastructure. The aim is to explain the origin and evolution of a new maritime area that was completely integrated with the political and commercial structure of the Empire, with trade routes that followed the coastal areas of the Iberian Peninsula all the way to the Mediterranean.
Feto‐maternal heart rate ratio in pregnant bitches: effect of gestational age and maternal size
Authors: Alonge S , Mauri M , Faustini M , Luvoni GC 
Published: July 2016

ContentsFew information is available on parameters that can be used to objectively assess the foetal health during canine pregnancy. To identify a reliable parameter for the evaluation of foetal well‐being, the effect of pre‐gestational maternal bodyweight and gestational age on foetal heart rate (FHR) and on feto‐maternal heart rate ratio (FHR/MHR) was investigated. Seventeen client‐owned pregnant bitches of different pre‐gestational maternal bodyweight were examined by serial echo colour Doppler. Only data from 11 uncomplicated pregnancies were included in the statistical analysis. The relationship between FHR, and FHR/MHR, and independent variables was analysed by polynomial regression (p ≤ .05). The FHR and the FHR/MHR significantly fitted a multiple quadratic regression for all independent variables. They both increased from 35 to 20 days before parturition and then a decreasing pattern followed. Higher values of both parameters were observed in bitches of lowest and highest bodyweight. Patterns of FHR and FHR/MHR were similar, but the ratio better describes the effect of the independent variables on the data. Thus, the highest significance of FHR/MHR compared to FHR alone encourages the application of this ratio to evaluate foetal well‐being. The equation derived by the regression analysis of FHR/MHR could be applied in clinical practice to obtain its expected values in healthy pregnancies.
Social stimuli increase physiological reactivity but not defensive responses
Authors: Kosonogov Vladimir , Sanchez‐Navarro Juan Pedro , Martinez‐Selva Jose Maria , Torrente Ginesa , Carrillo‐Verdejo Eduvigis 
Published: July 2016

Emotional reactions are crucial in survival because they provide approach and withdrawal behaviors. However, an unsolved question is whether the social content of the affective stimuli has a specific effect on emotional responses. We studied whether the social content of affective pictures influenced the defensive response and response mobilization. For this purpose, we recorded startle blink reflex (a defensive response) and skin conductance responses (a measure of unspecific physiological reactivity or arousal) in 73 participants while they viewed a series of 81 pictures of varying affective valence and social content. Our results revealed that defense response, as indicated by increases in the magnitude of the startle blink reflex, was mainly dependent on threatening or unpleasant cues, but was unrelated to the social content of the pictures. The social content, however, had an influence on pleasant stimuli, provoking an increase in resource mobilization, as reflected by changes in electrodermal activity. Hence, the social content of the affective stimuli may increase the physiological arousal elicited by pleasant stimuli, and it appears to be unrelated to the defense reactivity provoked by unpleasant stimuli.
Bidirectional Associations Between Parental Responsiveness and Executive Function During Early Childhood
Authors: Merz Emily C. , Landry Susan H. , Montroy Janelle J. , Williams Jeffrey M. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIn this study, we examined bidirectional associations between parental responsiveness and executive function (EF) processes in socioeconomically disadvantaged preschoolers. Participants were 534 3‐ to 5‐year‐old children (71 percent Hispanic/Latino; 28 percent African American; 1 percent European American) attending Head Start programs. At Time 1 (T1) and 6.5 months later at Time 2 (T2), parents and children participated in a videotaped free play session and children completed delay inhibition (gift delay‐wrap, gift delay‐bow) and conflict EF (bear/dragon, dimensional change card sort) tasks. Parental warm acceptance, contingent responsiveness, and verbal scaffolding were coded from the free play videos and aggregated to create a parental responsiveness latent variable. A cross‐lagged panel structural equation model indicated that higher T1 parental responsiveness significantly predicted more positive gain in delay inhibition and conflict EF from T1 to T2. Higher T1 delay inhibition, but not T1 conflict EF, significantly predicted more positive change in parental responsiveness from T1 to T2. These associations were not explained by several possible confounding variables, including children's age, gender, race/ethnicity, and verbal ability. Findings suggest that parental responsiveness may support EF development in disadvantaged children, with reciprocal effects of delay inhibition on parental responsiveness.
Psychological interventions for post‐traumatic stress disorder in people living with HIV in Resource poor settings: a systematic review
Authors: Verhey Ruth , Chibanda Dixon , Brakarsh Jonathan , Seedat Soraya 
Published: July 2016

AbstractObjectivePost‐traumatic stress disorder is pervasive in low‐ and middle‐income countries. There is evidence to suggest that post‐traumatic stress disorder is more common among people living with HIV than non‐infected matched controls. We carried out a systematic review of interventions for adult post‐traumatic stress disorder from resource poor settings with a focus on people living with HIV.MethodsWe included all studies that investigated interventions for adult post‐traumatic stress disorder from resource poor settings with a focus on interventions that were either randomised controlled trials or observational cohort studies carried out from 1980 to May 2015.ResultsOf the 25 articles that were identified for full review, two independent reviewers identified seven studies that met our study inclusion criteria. All randomised controlled trials (RCT) (n = 6) used cognitive behavioural therapy‐based interventions and focused on people living with HIV in resource poor settings. There was only one study focusing on the use of lay counsellors to address post‐traumatic stress disorder but core competencies were not described. There were no intervention studies from Africa, only an observational cohort study from Rwanda.ConclusionRigorously evaluated interventions for adult post‐traumatic stress disorder in people living with HIV are rare. Most were undertaken in resource poor settings located in high‐income countries. There is a need for research on the development and implementation of appropriate interventions for post‐traumatic stress disorder in people living with HIV in low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Riboflavin and ultraviolet illumination affects selected platelet mRNA transcript amounts differently
Authors: Klein‐Bosgoed Christa , Schubert Peter , Devine Dana V. 
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUNDPathogen inactivation (PI) techniques use ultraviolet (UV) illumination with or without a photosensitizer to destroy pathogen RNA and DNA. Although lacking a nucleus and innate DNA transcription, platelets (PLTs) contain RNA and can synthesize proteins. The impact of PI on PLT protein synthesis and function is unknown; altered synthesis may affect overall PLT quality. In this study we determine to what extent PLT RNA is affected by PI.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSIn a pool‐and‐split design, paired apheresis PLT concentrates were treated with riboflavin and UV illumination or were left untreated. PLT total RNA and mRNA amounts specific for glycoproteins (GP)IIIa, GPIIb, and GPIb; α‐granule proteins PLT factor (PF)4; osteonectin and thrombospondin (TSP); and housekeeping protein glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were determined using absorbance and quantitative polymerase chain reaction.RESULTSAfter treatment, amounts of all analyzed mRNAs were significantly reduced (p < 0.05), but to different degrees. For GAPDH and PF4, transcripts appeared less susceptible to the treatment, with 70% remaining 1 hour after UV illumination. For GPIIIa and TSP, less than 15% remained after treatment. There was a correlation (R2 = 0.85) between transcript length and amount of mRNA remaining 1 hour after treatment. Total RNA demonstrated a life span equal to the PLT life span of 10 to 11 days.CONCLUSIONThis is the first report of the impact of riboflavin and UV illumination on PLT mRNA. Results suggest that all mRNA present in PLTs is affected by the treatment although the degree of the effect varies among transcripts.
Contribution of the seed microbiome to weed management
Authors: Müller‐Stöver D , Nybroe O , Baraibar B , Loddo D , Eizenberg H , French K , Sønderskov M , Neve P , Peltzer D A , Maczey N , Christensen S 
Published: July 2016

SummarySeed‐attacking microorganisms have an undefined potential for management of the weed seedbank, either directly through inundative inoculation of soils with effective pathogenic strains, or indirectly by managing soils in a manner that promotes native seed‐decaying microorganisms. However, research in this area is still limited and not consistently successful because of technological limitations in identifying the pathogens involved and their efficacy. We suggest that these limitations can now be overcome through application of new molecular techniques to identify the microorganisms interacting with weed seeds and to decipher their functionality. However, an interdisciplinary weed management approach that includes weed scientists, microbiologists, soil ecologists and molecular biologists is required to provide new insights into physical and chemical interactions between different seed species and microorganisms. Such insight is a prerequisite to identify the best candidate organisms to consider for seedbank management and to find ways to increase weed seed suppressive soil communities.
Silver nanoparticles production by two soil isolated bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis and Enterobacter cloacae, and assessment of their cytotoxicity and wound healing effect in rats
Authors: Pourali Parastoo , Razavian Zadeh Nasrin , Yahyaei Behrooz 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTProduction of silver nanoparticles by Bacillus thuringiensis and Enterobacter cloacae was performed and confirmed through UV–visible spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)−2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using mouse fibroblast cell line NIH‐3T3 D4 was carried out and IC50s of AgNPs were obtained. The nontoxic dose of each AgNPs solution was selected for wound healing assay. Thirty‐two rats were divided into four groups; two were used as the controls and two were treated by AgNPs that were produced by two bacterial strains. Results revealed that the produced AgNPs were amorphous, spherical in shapes, and had sizes under 100 nm. Histological analysis showed that AgNPs had better wound healing efficacy than the control groups. In conclusion, when the biologically produced AgNPs were used in vivo, they induced the epithelization, formation of the collagen bundles and fibroplasia and reduced the duration of completion of the epithelization and the angiogenesis.