bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Body temperature distributions of active diurnal lizards in three deserts: Skewed up or skewed down?
Authors: Huey Raymond B. , Pianka Eric R. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

The performance of ectotherms integrated over time depends in part on the position and shape of the distribution of body temperatures (Tb) experienced during activity. For several complementary reasons, physiological ecologists have long expected that Tb distributions during activity should have a long left tail (left‐skewed), but only infrequently have they quantified the magnitude and direction of Tb skewness in nature.

To evaluate whether left‐skewed Tb distributions are general for diurnal desert lizards, we compiled and analysed Tb (∑ = 9,023 temperatures) from our own prior studies of active desert lizards in three continents (25 species in Western Australia, 10 in the Kalahari Desert of Africa and 10 species in western North America). We gathered these data over several decades, using standardized techniques.

Many species showed significantly left‐skewed Tb distributions, even when records were restricted to summer months. However, magnitudes of skewness were always small, such that mean Tb were never more than 1°C lower than median Tb. The significance of Tb skewness was sensitive to sample size, and power tests reinforced this sensitivity.

The magnitude of skewness was not obviously related to phylogeny, desert, body size or median body temperature. Moreover, a formal phylogenetic analysis is inappropriate because geography and phylogeny are confounded (i.e. are highly collinear).

Skewness might be limited if lizards pre‐warm inside retreats before emerging in the morning, emerge only when operative temperatures are high enough to speed warming to activity Tb, or if cold lizards are especially wary and difficult to spot or catch. Telemetry studies may help evaluate these possibilities.

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Methylmalonate‐semialdehyde dehydrogenase mediated metabolite homeostasis essentially regulate conidiation, polarized germination and pathogenesis in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Norvienyeku Justice , Zhong Zhenhui , Lin Lili , Dang Xie , Chen Meilian , Lin Xiaolian , Zhang Honghong , Anjago Wilfred M. , Lin Lianyu , Abdul Waheed , Wang Zonghua 
Published: August 2017

SummaryPlants generate multitude of aldehydes under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Ample demonstrations have shown that rice‐derived aldehydes enhance the resistance of rice against the rice‐blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. However, how the fungal pathogen nullifies the inhibitory effects of host aldehydes to establish compatible interaction remains unknown. Here we identified and evaluated the in vivo transcriptional activities of M. oryzae aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) genes. Transcriptional analysis of M. oryzae ALDH genes revealed that the acetylating enzyme Methylmalonate‐Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase (MoMsdh/MoMmsdh) elevated activities during host invasion and colonization of the fungus. We further examined the pathophysiological importance of MoMSDH by deploying integrated functional genetics, and biochemical approaches. MoMSDH deletion mutant ΔMomsdh exhibited germination defect, hyper‐branching of germ tube and failed to form appressoria on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface. The MoMSDH disruption caused accumulation of small branch‐chain amino acids, pyridoxine and AMP/cAMP in the ΔMomsdh mutant and altered Spitzenkörper organization in the conidia. We concluded that MoMSDH contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of M. oryzae by regulating the mobilization of Spitzenkörper during germ tube morphogenesis, appressoria formation by acting as metabolic switch regulating small branch‐chain amino acids, inositol, pyridoxine and AMP/cAMP homeostasis.
Mapping EU agencies as political entrepreneurs
Authors: WOOD MATTHEW 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe European Union relies on decentralised agencies to implement important transnational regulations, such as certifying the safety of medicines. However, the authority of these agencies does not have ‘hard’ legal status and crucially depends on disseminating ideas and information effectively: what can be termed ‘political entrepreneurship’. This article provides the first comprehensive analysis of the political entrepreneurship of EU agencies by constructing a conceptual typology of entrepreneurial strategies. Drawing conceptually on transnational public administration, a new database is constructed of the ‘entrepreneurship’ of 33 EU agencies in 2014 based on their media communication activities, face‐to‐face networking in workshops and collaborations, and knowledge dissemination and ‘learning’ exercises. This is mapped against the political salience of agencies in the European Parliament and media. The mapping exercise shows four types of entrepreneurial strategies covering the population of EU agencies: technical functional, insulating, network‐seeking and politicised. The typology is validated through semi‐structured interviews in 11 EU agencies, showing the core characteristics of each type of strategy. The article concludes by arguing that this typology provides an important addition to existing categories of EU agencies based on autonomy and accountability, and advocates a future research strategy examining the interaction between agencies’ entrepreneurial strategies and the expectations and reactions of stakeholder audiences.
The valosin‐containing protein is a novel repressor of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by pressure overload
Authors: Zhou Ning , Ma Ben , Stoll Shaunrick , Hays Tristan T. , Qiu Hongyu 
Published: August 2017

SummaryHypertension‐induced left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent risk factor for heart failure. Regression of LVH has emerged as a major goal in the treatment of hypertensive patients. Here, we tested our hypothesis that the valosin‐containing protein (VCP), an ATPase associate protein, is a novel repressor of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy under the pressure overload stress. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was determined by echocardiography in 4‐month male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) vs. age‐matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. VCP expression was found to be significantly downregulated in the left ventricle (LV) tissues from SHRs vs. WKY rats. Pressure overload was induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in wild‐type (WT) mice. At the end of 2 weeks, mice with TAC developed significant LVH whereas the cardiac function remained unchanged. A significant reduction of VCP at both the mRNA and protein levels in hypertrophic LV tissue was found in TAC WT mice compared to sham controls. Valosin‐containing protein VCP expression was also observed to be time‐ and dose‐dependently reduced in vitro in isolated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes upon the treatment of angiotensin II. Conversely, transgenic (TG) mice with cardiac‐specific overexpression of VCP showed a significant repression in TAC‐induced LVH vs. litter‐matched WT controls upon 2‐week TAC. TAC‐induced activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling observed in WT mice LVs was also significantly blunted in VCP TG mice. In conclusion, VCP acts as a novel repressor that is able to prevent cardiomyocyte hypertrophy from pressure overload by modulating the mTORC1 signaling pathway.
Ameliorative response to detoxification, psychotherapy, and medical management in patients maintained on opioids for pain
Authors: Belkin Molly , Reinheimer Howard Stephen , Levy Jordan , Johnson Brian 
Published: August 2017

Background and ObjectivesThe prevalence of opioid‐induced hyperalgesia (OIH) among patients maintained on opioids for chronic non‐malignant pain has not been estimated. As a contribution toward establishing its prevalence, we report a case series of opioid maintained patients whose pain tolerance was measured by the cold pressor test at baseline.MethodsA case series of 117 patients who had undergone detoxification was reviewed retrospectively. Most patients (n = 108) and selected non‐addicted support persons who accompanied them (controls; n = 37) had cold pressor time (CPT) assessments at baseline. Twenty patients had a repeat CPT after 1 month.ResultsWhen 61 patients completed one month abstinent reported pain was improved (51%), unchanged (46%), or worse (3%). Baseline CPT was 48 sec for patients and 102 sec for controls, suggesting that opioid maintained patients were more pain sensitive than opioid naïve controls. CPT increased for 90% of 1‐month completers, suggesting improved pain tolerance. Ameliorative response to detoxification, psychotherapy, and medical management, as defined as the absence of worsening pain with removal of opioids, was 97% in this population.ConclusionThe difference in CPT between opioid maintained patients and controls, and the response to detoxification, psychotherapy and medical management suggest the possibility that the prevalence of OIH may be high.Scientific SignificanceThis study adds to the growing evidence that chronic opioid treatment contributes little to the management of chronic pain and in fact appears to frequently make it worse. (Am J Addict 2017;26:738–743)
Using local clinical educators and shared resources to deliver simulation training activities across rural and remote South Australia and south‐west Victoria: A distributed collaborative model
Authors: Masters Stacey C. , Elliott Sandi , Boyd Sarah , Dunbar James A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractProblemThere is a lack of access to simulation‐based education (SBE) for professional entry students (PES) and health professionals at rural and remote locations.DesignA descriptive study.SettingHealth and education facilities in regional South Australia and south‐west Victoria.Key measures for improvement

Number of training recipients who participated in SBE;

geographical distribution and locations where SBE was delivered;

number of rural clinical educators providing SBE.

Strategies for changeA distributed model to deliver SBE in rural and remote locations in collaboration with local health and community services, education providers and the general public. Face‐to‐face meetings with health services and education providers identified gaps in locally delivered clinical skills training and availability of simulation resources. Clinical leadership, professional development and community of practice strategies were implemented to enhance capacity of rural clinical educators to deliver SBE.Effects of changeThe number of SBE participants and training hours delivered exceeded targets. The distributed model enabled access to regular, localised training for PES and health professionals, minimising travel and staff backfill costs incurred when attending regional centres. The skills acquired by local educators remain in rural areas to support future training.Lessons learntThe distributed collaborative model substantially increased access to clinical skills training for PES and health professionals in rural and remote locations. Developing the teaching skills of rural clinicians optimised the use of simulation resources. Consequently, health services were able to provide students with flexible and realistic learning opportunities in clinical procedures, communication techniques and teamwork skills.
Integument in Antarctic seals: A comparative study and its relation to extreme environments
Authors: Krmpotic Cecilia Mariana , Loza Cleopatra Mara , Negrete Javier , Scarano Alejo Carlos , Carlini Alfredo Armando , Guerrero Alicia , Barbeito Claudio Gustavo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDue to the semi‐aquatic lifestyle of seals and the extreme climates they inhabit, their integumentary system has aroused the curiosity of several authors for more than a century. The aim of this contribution was to perform an exhaustive histological description of the integument Antarctic seals through different methodological approaches in a comparative framework. The species considered include the ice‐obligate—Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii) and leopard (Hydrurga leptonyx) seal—and the ice‐tolerant, and southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina). In addition, we attempted to link the histological features to their different lifestyles. All three species showed features related to their amphibious lifestyle (i.e., parakeratotic epidermis with abundant melanin granules, dermis with numerous arteriovenous anastomoses and a great amount of elastic fibres). In aquatic mammals, parakeratosis would decrease cellular replacement, the great amount of melanin is related to the high exposure to solar radiation, the presence of arteriovenous anastomoses is related to thermoregulatory mechanisms, and the presence of elastic fibres is due to variations of thickness in the adipose tissue that requires high elasticity of the dermis.
Epithelial desquamation observed in a phase I study of an oral cathepsin C inhibitor (GSK2793660)
Authors: Miller Bruce E. , Mayer Ruth J. , Goyal Navin , Bal Joanne , Dallow Nigel , Boyce Malcolm , Carpenter Donald , Churchill Alison , Heslop Teresa , Lazaar Aili L. 
Published: August 2017

AimsCathepsin C (CTSC) is necessary for the activation of several serine proteases including neutrophil elastase (NE), cathepsin G and proteinase 3. GSK2793660 is an oral, irreversible inhibitor of CTSC that is hypothesized to provide an alternative route to achieve NE inhibition and was tested in a Phase I study.MethodsSingle escalating oral doses of GSK2793660 from 0.5 to 20 mg or placebo were administered in a randomized crossover design to healthy male subjects; a separate cohort received once daily doses of 12 mg or placebo for 21 days. Data were collected on safety, pharmacokinetics, CTSC enzyme inhibition and blood biomarkers.ResultsSingle, oral doses of GSK2793660 were able to dose‐dependently inhibit whole blood CTSC activity. Once daily dosing of 12 mg GSK2793660 for 21 days achieved ≥90% inhibition (95% CI: 56, 130) of CTSC within 3 h on day 1. Only modest reductions of whole blood enzyme activity of approximately 20% were observed for NE, cathepsin G and proteinase 3. Seven of 10 subjects receiving repeat doses of GSK2793660 manifested epidermal desquamation on palmar and plantar surfaces beginning 7–10 days after dosing commencement. There were no other clinically important safety findings.ConclusionsGSK2793660 inhibited CTSC activity but not the activity of downstream neutrophil serine proteases. The palmar–plantar epidermal desquamation suggests a previously unidentified role for CTSC or one of its target proteins in the maintenance and integrity of the epidermis at these sites, with some similarities to the phenotype of CTSC‐deficient humans.
The relation between cognitive and metacognitive strategic processing during a science simulation
Authors: Dinsmore Daniel L. , Zoellner Brian P. 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundThis investigation was designed to uncover the relations between students’ cognitive and metacognitive strategies used during a complex climate simulation. While cognitive strategy use during science inquiry has been studied, the factors related to this strategy use, such as concurrent metacognition, prior knowledge, and prior interest, have not been investigated in a multidimensional fashion.AimsThis study addressed current issues in strategy research by examining not only how metacognitive, surface‐level, and deep‐level strategies influence performance, but also how these strategies related to each other during a contextually relevant science simulation.SampleThe sample for this study consisted of 70 undergraduates from a mid‐sized Southeastern university in the United States. These participants were recruited from both physical and life science (e.g., biology) and education majors to obtain a sample with variance in terms of their prior knowledge, interest, and strategy use.MethodsParticipants completed measures of prior knowledge and interest about global climate change. Then, they were asked to engage in an online climate simulator for up to 30 min while thinking aloud. Finally, participants were asked to answer three outcome questions about global climate change.ResultsResults indicated a poor fit for the statistical model of the frequency and level of processing predicting performance. However, a statistical model that independently examined the influence of metacognitive monitoring and control of cognitive strategies showed a very strong relation between the metacognitive and cognitive strategies. Finally, smallest space analysis results provided evidence that strategy use may be better captured in a multidimensional fashion, particularly with attention paid towards the combination of strategies employed.ConclusionsConclusions drawn from the evidence point to the need for more dynamic, multidimensional models of strategic processing that account for the patterns of optimal and non‐optimal strategy use. Additionally, analyses that can capture these complex patterns need to be further explored.
M‐type K+ channels in peripheral nociceptive pathways
Authors: Du Xiaona , Gao Haixia , Jaffe David , Zhang Hailin , Gamper Nikita 
Published: August 2017

Pathological pain is a hyperexcitability disorder. Since the excitability of a neuron is set and controlled by a complement of ion channels it expresses, in order to understand and treat pain, we need to develop a mechanistic insight into the key ion channels controlling excitability within the mammalian pain pathways and how these ion channels are regulated and modulated in various physiological and pathophysiological settings. In this review, we will discuss the emerging data on the expression in pain pathways, functional role and modulation of a family of voltage‐gated K+ channels called ‘M channels’ (KCNQ, Kv7). M channels are increasingly recognized as important players in controlling pain signalling, especially within the peripheral somatosensory system. We will also discuss the therapeutic potential of M channels as analgesic drug targets.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Recent Advances in Targeting Ion Channels to Treat Chronic Pain. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.12/issuetoc/
B cell phenotypes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis relapsing after rituximab: expression of B cell-activating factor-binding receptors on B cell subsets
Authors: Becerra E , De La Torre I , Leandro M J , Cambridge G 
Published: August 2017

Summary
Serum levels of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) rise following rituximab (RTX) therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Initiation of naive B cell return to the periphery and autoreactive B cell expansion leading to relapse after RTX may therefore be linked to interactions between BAFF and BAFF-binding receptors (BBR). Relationships between serum BAFF and BBR expression [(BAFFR, calcium signal modulating cyclophilic ligand interactor (TACI) and B cell maturation antigen (BCMA)] were determined on B cell subsets, defined using immunoglobulin (Ig)D/CD38. Twenty pre-RTX and 18 RA patients relapsing after B cell depletion were included. Results were analysed with respect to timing of relapse up to 7 months after peripheral B cell return (≥ 5 B cells/μl) and to serum BAFF levels. After B cell return, B cell populations from relapsing patients had significantly lower BAFFR+ expression compared to HC and pre-RTX patients. The percentage of BAFFR+ B cells increased with time after B cell return and was correlated inversely with serum BAFF levels. BAFFR expression remained reduced. The percentage of TACI+ memory B cells were lower in RA patients after RTX compared with healthy controls (HC). BCMA expression (% and expression) did not differ between patients and HC. Relapse following B cell return appeared largely independent of the percentage of BAFFR+ or percentage of BCMA+ B cells or serum BAFF levels. The lower percentage of TACI+ memory B cells may reduce inhibitory signalling for B cell differentiation. In patients relapsing at longer periods after B cell return, recovery of the B cell pool was more complete, suggesting that selection or expansion of autoreactive B cells may be needed to precipitate relapse.
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 serum activity and concentration are increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Blauschmidt Sindy , Greither Thomas , Lampe Katharina , Köller Solveig , Kaltwaßer Petra , Behre Hermann M. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryObjectivePolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disease, the aetiology of which is not well understood. Alterations in potential candidate genes involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of androgens, folliculogenesis and insulin and glucose metabolism have been suggested as possible aetiologies. Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP4) plays a key role in glucose homoeostasis and, thus, in the regulation of insulin secretion. The aim of our study was to analyse the DPP4 activity and concentrations in the serum of PCOS and non‐PCOS patients and, additionally, study the activation of the DPP4 promoter by androgens in vitro.Design, Patients and MeasurementsSerum samples were obtained from 288 female patients treated at the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology (154 non‐PCOS and 134 patients with PCOS). DPP4 activity was measured by the conversion of the DPP4 substrate Gly‐Pro p‐nitroanilide hydrochloride and DPP4 concentration with a commercial ELISA. Luciferase reporter assays, qPCR and Western Blot analyses were performed for the in vitro evaluation of the activation of the DPP4 promoter by androgens.ResultsDPP4 serum activity was increased in women with PCOS, regardless of which Rotterdam criteria led to the PCOS diagnosis. Furthermore, DPP4 serum levels were strongly correlated with the anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) serum level. In vitro, the DPP4 promoter was stimulated by androgens in luciferase reporter assays, and DPP4 mRNA expression was increased in KGN granulosa carcinoma cells after androgen treatment.ConclusionsThe results suggested that a deregulation of DPP4 serum levels could be an additional characteristic of the metabolic imbalances associated with PCOS.
Progression of retinal ganglion cell loss in multiple sclerosis is associated with new lesions in the optic radiations
Authors: Klistorner A. , Graham E. C. , Yiannikas C. , Barnett M. , Parratt J. , Garrick R. , Wang C. , You Y. , Graham S. L. 
Published: August 2017

Background and purposeThe mechanism of retinal ganglion cell and retinal nerve fiber layer loss in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association between temporal retinal nerve fiber layer (tRNFL) thinning and disease activity in the brain determined by T2 lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsFifty‐five consecutive patients with relapsing–remitting MS and 25 controls were enrolled. All patients underwent annual optical coherence tomography and high‐resolution MRI scans for tRNFL thickness and brain lesion volume analysis, respectively.ResultsSignificant tRNFL thickness reduction was observed over the 3‐year follow‐up period at a relatively constant rate (1.02 μm/year). Thinning of tRNFL fibers was more prominent in younger patients (P = 0.01). The tRNFL loss was associated with new MRI lesions in the optic radiations (ORs). There was significantly greater tRNFL thinning in patients with new lesional activity in the ORs compared with patients with new lesions outside the ORs (P = 0.009).ConclusionsThis study supports the notion that retrograde transneuronal degeneration caused by OR lesions might play a role in progressive retinal nerve fiber layer loss. In addition, the results of the study also indicate that the disease‐related neurodegenerative changes in the retina start much earlier than the clinical diagnosis of MS.