bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The modulating role of group stability on fitness effects of group size is different in females and males of a communally rearing rodent
Authors: Ebensperger Luis A. , Correa Loreto A. , León Cecilia , Ramírez‐Estrada Juan , Abades Sebastian , Villegas Álvaro , Hayes Loren D. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryGroup size may influence fitness benefits and costs that emerge from cooperative and competitive interactions in social species. However, evidence from plural breeding mammals indicates that group size is insufficient to explain variation in direct fitness, implying other attributes of social groups were overlooked.We studied the natural population of a social rodent during 5 years to test the hypothesis that social stability – in terms of group composition – modulates the effects of increasing number of breeding females (a proxy of communal rearing) and males on the number of offspring weaned (sired) and on the number of offspring weaned (sired) surviving to breeding age (two proxies of direct fitness). We quantified the effects of social stability (measured as changes in female or male group members between mating and the onset of lactation) on these fitness measures.We used live trapping, telemetry andDNAmarkers to determine social and fitness measures.Social stability in degus was variable in terms of the number of changes in group composition across groups. Low stability was mostly due to mortality and emigration of group members.Results supported a modulating role of social stability on the relationship between group size and the number of offspring weaned (sired). Stability in female and male group composition were both modulators of fitness to females and males.The modulatory role of stability was sex specific, where high social stability was often fitness beneficial to the females. Instead, low social stability was fitness enhancing to the males.
Distinguishing ischaemic optic neuropathy from optic neuritis by ganglion cell analysis
Authors: Erlich‐Malona Natalie , Mendoza‐Santiesteban Carlos E. , Hedges Thomas R. , Patel Nimesh , Monaco Caitlin , Cole Emily 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPurposeTo determine whether a pattern of altitudinal ganglion cell loss, as detected and measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), can be used to distinguish non‐arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) from optic neuritis (ON) during the acute phase, and whether the rate or severity of ganglion cell loss differs between the two diseases.MethodsWe performed a retrospective, case–control study of 44 patients (50 eyes) with ON or NAION and 44 age‐matched controls. Non‐arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy and ON patients had OCT at presentation and four consecutive follow‐up visits. Controls had OCT at one point in time. The ganglion cell complex (GCC) was evaluated in the macula, and the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) was evaluated in the peripapillary region. Ganglion cell complex thickness, RNFL thickness and GCC mean superior and inferior hemispheric difference were compared between NAION and ON patients at each time‐point using unpaired t‐tests and between disease and control subjects at first measurement using paired t‐tests.ResultsMean time from onset of symptoms to initial presentation was 10.7 ± 6.6 days in NAION and 11.7 ± 8.6 days in ON (p = 0.67). There was a significantly greater vertical hemispheric difference in GCC thickness in NAION patients than ON patients at all time‐points (5.5–10.7 μm versus 3.1–3.6 μm, p = 0.01–0.049). Mean GCC thickness was significantly decreased at less than 2 weeks after onset in NAION compared to age‐matched controls (72.1 μm versus 82.1 μm, p < 0.001), as well as in ON compared to age‐matched controls (74.3 μm versus 84.5 μm, p < 0.001). Progression and severity of GCC and RNFL loss did not differ significantly between NAION and ON.ConclusionA quantitative comparison of mean superior and inferior hemispheric GCC thickness with OCT may be used to distinguish NAION from ON.
Liver stiffness measurement using acoustic radiation force impulse elastography in overweight and obese patients
Authors: Attia D. , Bantel H. , Lenzen H. , Manns M. P. , Gebel M. J. , Potthoff A. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundObesity and overweight are global health problems.AimTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in overweight and obese patients for staging liver fibrosis.MethodsNinety‐seven patients (mean age: 50 years, 50% male) with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (mean BMI: 31 kg/m2) were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent ARFI elastography and liver biopsy. In 87/97 patients, transient elastography (TE) was performed (M‐ and XL‐probes). Patients were divided into two groups respectively: overweight: BMI <30 kg/m2 (n = 61); and obese: BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (n = 26).ResultsAcoustic radiation force impulse elastography correlated with liver fibrosis in overweight (r = 0.84, P < 0.0001) and obese patients (r = 0.85, P < 0.0001), while no correlation was observed with steatosis, steatohepatitis and BMI. Area under the curve detecting liver cirrhosis for ARFI and TE were 0.97 in overweight and 0.94 and 0.92 in obese patients. In both groups, the failure rate was lower for ARFI than TE. ARFI of liver segment 8 showed a lower discordance than TE in both groups (overweight: 3% vs. 12%, P = 0.002; obese: 8% vs. 27%, P = 0.034). Steatosis and steatohepatitis were neither predictors of discordance nor of performance in LSM by ARFI or TE in both groups.ConclusionsIn overweight and obese patients, acoustic radiation force impulse can diagnose liver cirrhosis and significant fibrosis with high diagnostic accuracy. Liver stiffness measurement using the XL‐probe reduces the influence of BMI, steatosis and steatohepatitis. The failure and discordance rates were lower for acoustic radiation force impulse than transient elastography in both patients groups.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: the efficacy of levofloxacin triple therapy as the first‐ or second‐line treatments of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Chen P.‐Y. , Wu M.‐S. , Chen C.‐Y. , Bair M.‐J. , Chou C.‐K. , Lin J.‐T. , Liou J.‐M. ,   for the Taiwan Gastrointestinal Disease and Helicobacter Consortium
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundLevofloxacin triple therapy has been used for the first‐line and second‐line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection for more than 10 years.AimsTo systematically review the efficacy of levofloxacin triple therapy in the first‐ and second‐line treatment, and to assess the time trend and factors that might affect its efficacy.MethodsProspective trials reporting the efficacy of levofloxacin triple therapy in either the first‐line or second‐line treatment of H. pylori infection in adults were searched from the PubMed and Cochrane database from January 2000 to September 2015. Meta‐analysis was performed to calculate the cumulative eradication rate and the efficacies in subgroups.ResultsOf the 322 articles identified, a total of 4574 patients from 41 trials, including 16 trials in the first‐line treatment and 25 trials in the second‐line treatment were eligible for analysis. The cumulative eradication rate was 77.3% (95% confidence intervals, CI: 74.7–79.6) and was 80.7% (95% CI 77.1–83.7) in the first‐line treatment and 74.5% (95% CI: 70.9–77.8) in the second‐line treatment. The efficacies of levofloxacin triple therapy before 2008, between 2009 and 2011, and after 2012 were 77.4%, 79.6% and 74.8% respectively. The eradication rate was higher when levofloxacin was given once daily (80.6%, 95% CI: 77.1–83.7) than twice daily (73.6%, 95% CI: 69.7–77.2). The efficacy was significantly higher in levofloxacin‐susceptible strains than resistant strains (81.1% vs. 36.3%, risk ratio 2.18, 95% CI: 1.6–3, P < 0.001).ConclusionThe efficacy of levofloxacin triple therapy has been lower than 80% in many countries and it is not recommended when the levofloxacin resistance is higher than 5–10%.
Understanding hydrogeomorphological dynamics and the distribution of large wood jams to promote sustainable river management strategies
Authors: Massé Simon , Buffin‐Bélanger Thomas 
Published: July 2016

Key Messages

Bank erosion and old‐growth upstream riparian forest stands have been identified as key factors for large wood (LW) recruitment in the river system.
The concentration of LW jams is greater in the first 12 km of the study reach and gradually decreases downstream because of the widening and deepening of the channel.
To manage LW jams, the interdependence of recruitment and accumulation areas, as well as the relationships between hydrogeomorphology and LW dynamics, should be considered.
Cognitive Development Trajectories of Very Preterm and Typically Developing Children
Authors: Mangin Kathryn S. , Horwood L. J. , Woodward Lianne J. 
Published: July 2016

Cognitive impairment is common among children born very preterm (VPT), yet little is known about how this risk changes over time. To examine this issue, a regional cohort of 110 VPT (≤ 32 weeks gestation) and 113 full‐term (FT) born children was prospectively assessed at ages 4, 6, 9, and 12 years using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence–Revised and then Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th ed. At all ages, VPT children obtained lower scores than their FT born peers (p < .001). Growth curve modeling revealed stable cognitive trajectories across both groups. Neonatal white matter abnormalities and family socioeconomic adversity additively predicted cognitive risk. Despite some intraindividual variability, cognitive functioning of typically developing and high‐risk VPT children was stable and influenced by early neurological development and family rearing context.
Early Maternal Employment and Children's Academic and Behavioral Skills in Australia and the United Kingdom
Authors: Lombardi Caitlin McPherran , Coley Rebekah Levine 
Published: July 2016

This study assessed the links between early maternal employment and children's later academic and behavioral skills in Australia and the United Kingdom. Using representative samples of children born in each country from 2000 to 2004 (Australia N = 5,093, U.K. N = 18,497), OLS regression models weighted with propensity scores assessed links between maternal employment in the 2 years after childbearing and children's skills in first grade. There were neutral associations between maternal employment and children's first‐grade skills in both countries. However, there was a slight indication that more time away from parenting was negatively linked to children's behavioral functioning in Australia and employment begun between 9 and 24 months was positively linked to cognitive skills for U.K. children of low‐wage mothers.
Intracellular signalling pathways: targets to reverse immunosenescence
Authors: Fulop T , Witkowski J M , Le Page A , Fortin C , Pawelec G , Larbi A 
Published: July 2016

Summary
Ageing is a very complex process, the result of the dysregulation of multiple systems interacting in many ways. A prominent change occurring with ageing is related to the architecture and functioning of the immune system, viewed commonly as detrimental and termed ‘immunosenescence’. However, age-associated changes may also lead to increased function in certain respects, which can be viewed as adaptive. None the less, on balance it is well-recognized that immunosenescence is accompanied by the low-grade inflammation observed commonly in elderly people, which has been dubbed ‘inflamm-ageing’. The exact cause and significance of all these changes is not clear, but there is a consensus that they are related to the occurrence of chronic non-infectious age-associated disease, as well as increased susceptibility to infections. Alterations to immune cell signalling may be a prominent cause of malfunctioning immunity. Emerging attempts to reverse immunosenescence have recently targeted the signalling pathways in various different cell types of the immune system. Here, we review and discuss alterations in the signalling pathways of immune cells with ageing and consider current targets and means to modulate altered functions. We discuss the potential dangers as well as the benefits of these interventions, and consider future approaches to this problem.
Poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐based substrates bearing pendant small chemical groups as a platform for systemic investigation of chondrogenesis
Authors: Chen Min , Xu Lei , Zhou Yan , Zhang Yan , Lang Meidong , Ye Zhaoyang , Tan Wen‐Song 
Published: July 2016

AbstractObjectivesPhysiochemical properties of biomaterials play critical roles in dictating types of cell behaviour. In this study, a series of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)‐derived polymers bearing different small chemical groups was employed as a platform to evaluate chondrogenesis of different cell types.Materials and methodsThin films were prepared by spin‐coating PCL derivatives. Rabbit articular chondrocytes (rACs) and rabbit bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) were seeded on to the films, and cell adhesion, proliferation, extracellular matrix production and gene expression were evaluated.ResultsThe presence of hydrophilic groups (‐NH2, ‐COOH, ‐OH and ‐C=O) promoted adhesion and proliferation of primary rACs and rMSCs. On these polymeric films, chondrogenesis of primary rACs depended on culture time. For passaged cells, re‐differentiation was induced on these films by chondrogenic induction, but less for cells of passage 5 compared to passage 3. While films with hydrophilic groups favoured chondrocytic gene expression of both types of passaged cells, production of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) was similar for those of passage 3 on all films, and PCL‐CH3 film better supported GAG production for cells of passage 5. Under chondrogenic conditions, rMSCs were more efficient at GAG production on PCL and PCL‐NH2 films.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that different cells displayed distinct responses to substrate surface chemistry, implying that cell–biomaterial interactions can be developmental stage dependent. This provides a novel perspective for developing biomaterials for cartilage regeneration.
Disentangling Relations among Repertoire Size, Song Rate, Signal Redundancy and Ambient Noise Level in European Songbird
Authors: Deoniziak Krzysztof , Osiejuk Tomasz S. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe majority of male songbirds have small repertoires and sing with eventual variety; that is, they present one song type several times before switching to the next one. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. The antiexhaustion hypothesis argues that song‐type switching prevents muscle fatigue in the syrinx. The signal redundancy hypothesis suggests that repeating the same signal increases transmission success. Here, we have studied the song behaviour of the chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs, a common Eurasian species in which the males sing a few different song types and provide eventual variety. We tested different hypotheses to explain the temporal organisation of song output (repertoire size, song rate, bout duration, etc.) as a function of ambient noise by comparing birds from the same macrogeographic region in which the birds live either in a noisy town (n = 71) or in a quieter forest habitat (n = 68). Contrary to the prediction of the signal redundancy hypothesis and the results of earlier work on chaffinches living close to noisy streams, we found no significant differences in song characteristics between the town and forest populations. Our results support the antiexhaustion hypothesis because males with larger repertoires were able to sing with a significantly higher rate due to faster switching between different song types and producing shorter bouts. Sample size or population differences between our study and earlier investigations of the same species may explain the inconsistency with previous findings. Future studies should focus on determining the relations between song organisation and the directly measured quality of males and females' choice using, preferably, a longitudinal approach.
Delegation in Hard Times: The Financial Management of Arm's Length Bodies in the UK
Authors: Tonkiss Katherine 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis paper explores the effectiveness of financial management tools in regulating the use of resources by arm's length bodies (ALBs) in a period of fiscal stress. The paper presents research undertaken into the implementation of a new financial management tool for ALBs in the UK since the 2008 financial crisis. Drawing on conflict ambiguity theory, the paper shows how the effectiveness of such tools is affected by deep‐rooted tensions implicit within public governance. This gives rise to micro‐level conflict over the means of achieving fiscal regulation, underpinned by macro‐level ambiguity over the logic of governance pursued by the government.
Effects of water velocity, turbulence and obstacle length on the swimming capabilities of adult Pacific lamprey
Authors: Kirk M. A. , Caudill C. C. , Tonina D. , Syms J. C. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe swimming capabilities of adult Pacific lamprey, Entosphenus tridentatus Gairdner, were tested in an experimental vertical‐slot fishway in response to three different fishway features: water velocity (1.2, 1.8 and 2.4 m s−1), the length of the vertical slot (0.33, 0.66, 1.00 m) and during the presence/absence of a turbulence‐intensifying structure that increased turbulence for each respective treatment. Passage success was lowest (52.7%) and attachment rates were highest (92.9%) during the most difficult passage conditions (high velocity, high turbulence, long slot length). Passage success was >83% for all other treatment combinations. Although passage of the vertical‐slot weir was not associated with fish body size, Pacific lamprey with larger dorsal distances (distance between the two dorsal fins) were more likely to pass the vertical‐slot weir. Increased attachment rates and longer attachment times during strenuous passage conditions suggest that endurance capacity may be an important factor limiting the passage of Pacific lamprey at fishway obstacles.
Treatment for cirrhotic ascites
Authors: Kawaratani Hideto , Fukui Hiroshi , Yoshiji Hitoshi 
Published: July 2016

AbstractCommon complications of decompensated liver cirrhosis are esophageal varices, hepatic encephalopathy and ascites. After the onset of complications, the prognosis worsens. In patients with ascites, the 5‐year mortality rate is 44%. Furthermore, hyponatremia, spontaneous bacterial translocation and hepatorenal syndrome also greatly worsen the prognosis. Effective treatment of cirrhotic ascites improves the quality of life and survival rate. Recently, the newly produced diuretic, tolvaptan (vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist), was reported to be effective in the treatment of refractory ascites in liver cirrhosis; however, there has not been an associated positive effect on the prognosis. There are various types of treatment for ascites, such as large‐volume paracenteses, a cell‐free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and a peritoneo‐venous shunt. Although they improve the prognosis, liver transplantation remains the ultimate form of treatment. The present article discusses the therapeutic management of cirrhotic ascites.
In the Shadow of Anzac: Labour Historiography of the First World War in Australia
Authors: Holbrook Carolyn , Wise Nathan 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAustralia is by far the most enthusiastic and profligate commemorator of the centenary of the First World War; a phenomenon that is closely connected to the fact that the war produced Australia's premier national myth, the Anzac legend. The dominance of the nationalist interpretation in Australia has masked important aspects of the war, such as the experience of the working class. This article reviews Australian labour historiography of the First World War. It argues that the dominance of the Anzac legend muted the generation of labour historians born during the inter‐war years, who were under its nationalist thrall. More recent labour historians employ cultural methodologies, often in an attempt to counter the ubiquity of nationalist memory of the First World War in Australia.
Minimizing photodecomposition of flavin adenine dinucleotide fluorescence by the use of pulsed LEDs
Authors: RÖSNER J. , LIOTTA A. , ANGAMO E.A. , SPIES C. , HEINEMANN U. , KOVÁCS R. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryDynamic alterations in flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) fluorescence permit insight into energy metabolism‐dependent changes of intramitochondrial redox potential. Monitoring FAD fluorescence in living tissue is impeded by photobleaching, restricting the length of microfluorimetric recordings. In addition, photodecomposition of these essential electron carriers negatively interferes with energy metabolism and viability of the biological specimen. Taking advantage of pulsed LED illumination, here we determined the optimal excitation settings giving the largest fluorescence yield with the lowest photobleaching and interference with metabolism in hippocampal brain slices. The effects of FAD bleaching on energy metabolism and viability were studied by monitoring tissue pO2, field potentials and changes in extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o).Photobleaching with continuous illumination consisted of an initial exponential decrease followed by a nearly linear decay. The exponential decay was significantly decelerated with pulsed illumination. Pulse length of 5 ms was sufficient to reach a fluorescence output comparable to continuous illumination, whereas further increasing duration increased photobleaching. Similarly, photobleaching increased with shortening of the interpulse interval. Photobleaching was partially reversible indicating the existence of a transient nonfluorescent flavin derivative. Pulsed illumination decreased FAD photodecomposition, improved slice viability and reproducibility of stimulus‐induced FAD, field potential, [K+]o and pO2 changes as compared to continuous illumination.
Perturbed proteostasis in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Louros Susana R. , Osterweil Emily K. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractDynamic changes in synaptic strength rely on de novo protein synthesis and protein degradation by the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). Disruption of either of these cellular processes will result in significant impairments in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Mutations in several genes encoding regulators of mRNA translation and members of the UPS have been associated with an increased risk for the development of autism spectrum disorders. It is possible that these mutations result in a similar imbalance in protein homeostasis (proteostasis) at the synapse. This review will summarize recent work investigating the role of the UPS in synaptic plasticity at glutamatergic synapses, and propose that dysfunctional proteostasis is a common consequence of several genetic mutations linked to autism spectrum disorders.
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Dynamic changes in synaptic strength rely on de novo protein synthesis and protein degradation by the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). Disruption of either of these cellular processes will result in significant impairments in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Mutations in several genes encoding regulators of mRNA translation (i.e. FMR1) and protein degradation (i.e. UBE3A) have been associated with an increased risk for autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability (ASD/ID). These mutations similarly disrupt protein homeostasis (proteostasis). Compensatory changes that reset the rate of proteostasis may contribute to the neurological symptoms of ASD/ID. This review summarizes recent work investigating the role of the UPS in synaptic plasticity at glutamatergic synapses, and proposes that dysfunctional proteostasis is a common consequence of several genetic mutations linked to ASD.
This article is part of a mini review series: “Synaptic Function and Dysfunction in Brain Diseases”.