bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The macrophage activation marker sCD163 is associated with morphological disease stages in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Kazankov Konstantin , Barrera Francisco , Møller Holger Jon , Rosso Chiara , Bugianesi Elisabetta , David Ezio , Ibrahim Kamal Jouness Ramy , Esmaili Saeed , Eslam Mohammed , McLeod Duncan , Bibby Bo Martin , Vilstrup Hendrik , George Jacob , Grønbæk Henning 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackground & AimsMacrophage activation plays a key pathogenic role in experimental non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and contributes to the progression of steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. We studied macrophage activation in human NAFLD by measuring soluble (s)CD163, a specific macrophage activation marker, hypothesizing that sCD163 would be associated with the patients’ morphological disease grade. Furthermore, we investigated an association between sCD163 and the apoptosis marker cytokeratin‐18 (CK‐18) to explore a link between macrophage activation and apoptosis.MethodssCD163 associations with biochemical and histological measures of NAFLD were investigated in two independent cohorts of 157 Australian and 174 Italian NAFLD patients, with liver biopsies graded for NAFLD severity, steatosis and fibrosis. sCD163 and CK‐18 were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsIn both cohorts sCD163 increased in parallel with the patients’ morphological disease grading, being independently associated with the Kleiner fibrosis score (P < 0.001). A high sCD163 predicted advanced fibrosis {F ≥ 3; Australian cohort: area under receiver‐operating characteristics curve 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76–0.87], Italian cohort: 0.80 (95% CI: 0.72–0.88)}. In both groups, sCD163 was independently associated with CK‐18 (P < 0.001).ConclusionSoluble CD163 reflecting macrophage activation is associated with morphological features of NAFLD suggesting their involvement in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, NASH and particularly fibrosis. An independent association between sCD163 and cytokeratin‐18 suggests that apoptosis may contribute to macrophage activation in NAFLD/NASH.
The role of isoforms in the evolution of cryptic coloration in Peromyscus mice
Authors: Mallarino Ricardo , Linden Tess A. , Linnen Catherine R. , Hoekstra Hopi E. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA central goal of evolutionary biology is to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic adaptation. While the contribution of protein‐coding and cis‐regulatory mutations to adaptive traits has been well documented, additional sources of variation – such as the production of alternative RNA transcripts from a single gene, or isoforms – have been understudied. Here, we focus on the pigmentation gene Agouti, known to express multiple alternative transcripts, to investigate the role of isoform usage in the evolution of cryptic colour phenotypes in deer mice (genus Peromyscus). We first characterize the Agouti isoforms expressed in the Peromyscus skin and find two novel isoforms not previously identified in Mus. Next, we show that a locally adapted light‐coloured population of P. maniculatus living on the Nebraska Sand Hills shows an upregulation of a single Agouti isoform, termed 1C, compared with their ancestral dark‐coloured conspecifics. Using in vitro assays, we show that this preference for isoform 1C may be driven by isoform‐specific differences in translation. In addition, using an admixed population of wild‐caught mice, we find that variation in overall Agouti expression maps to a region near exon 1C, which also has patterns of nucleotide variation consistent with strong positive selection. Finally, we show that the independent evolution of cryptic light pigmentation in a different species, P. polionotus, has been driven by a preference for the same Agouti isoform. Together, these findings present an example of the role of alternative transcript processing in adaptation and demonstrate molecular convergence at the level of isoform regulation.
Inferring the demographic history underlying parallel genomic divergence among pairs of parasitic and nonparasitic lamprey ecotypes
Authors: Rougemont Quentin , Gagnaire Pierre‐Alexandre , Perrier Charles , Genthon Clémence , Besnard Anne‐Laure , Launey Sophie , Evanno Guillaume 
Published: April 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the evolutionary mechanisms generating parallel genomic divergence patterns among replicate ecotype pairs remains an important challenge in speciation research. We investigated the genomic divergence between the anadromous parasitic river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) and the freshwater‐resident nonparasitic brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri) in nine population pairs displaying variable levels of geographic connectivity. We genotyped 338 individuals with RAD sequencing and inferred the demographic divergence history of each population pair using a diffusion approximation method. Divergence patterns in geographically connected population pairs were better explained by introgression after secondary contact, whereas disconnected population pairs have retained a signal of ancient migration. In all ecotype pairs, models accounting for differential introgression among loci outperformed homogeneous migration models. Generating neutral predictions from the inferred divergence scenarios to detect highly differentiated markers identified greater proportions of outliers in disconnected population pairs than in connected pairs. However, increased similarity in the most divergent genomic regions was found among connected ecotype pairs, indicating that gene flow was instrumental in generating parallelism at the molecular level. These results suggest that heterogeneous genomic differentiation and parallelism among replicate ecotype pairs have partly emerged through restricted introgression in genomic islands.
Experimental evidence that brighter males sire more extra‐pair young in tree swallows
Authors: Whittingham Linda A. , Dunn Peter O. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAcross taxa, extra‐pair mating is widespread among socially monogamous species, but few studies have identified male ornamental traits associated with extra‐pair mating success, and even fewer studies have experimentally manipulated male traits to determine whether they are related directly to paternity. As a consequence, there is little experimental evidence to support the widespread hypothesis that females choose more ornamented males as extra‐pair mates. Here, we conducted an experimental study of the relationship between male plumage colour and fertilization success in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), which have one of the highest levels of extra‐pair mating in birds. In this study, we experimentally dulled the bright blue plumage on the back of males (with nontoxic ink markers) early in the breeding season prior to most mating. Compared with control males, dulled males sired fewer extra‐pair young, and, as a result, fewer young overall. Among untreated males, brighter blue males also sired more extra‐pair young, and in paired comparisons, extra‐pair sires had brighter blue plumage than the within‐pair male they cuckolded. These results, together with previous work on tree swallows, suggest that extra‐pair mating behaviour is driven by benefits to both males and females.
Concerted action of NIC relaxase and auxiliary protein MobC in RA3 plasmid conjugation
Authors: Godziszewska Jolanta , Moncalián Gabriel , Cabezas Matilde , Bartosik Aneta A. , de la Cruz Fernando , Jagura‐Burdzy Grazyna 
Published: April 2016

SummaryConjugative transfer of the broad‐host‐range RA3 plasmid, the archetype of the IncU group, relies on the relaxase NIC that belongs to the as yet uncharacterized MOBP4 subfamily. NIC contains the signature motifs of HUH relaxases involved in Tyr nucleophilic attack. However, it differs in the residue involved in His activation for cation coordination and was shown here to have altered divalent cation requirements. NIC is encoded in the mobC‐nic operon preceded directly by oriT, where mobC encodes an auxiliary transfer protein with a dual function: autorepressor and stimulator of conjugative transfer. Here an interplay between MobC and NIC was demonstrated. MobC is required for efficient NIC cleavage of oriT in supercoiled DNA whereas NIC assists MobC in repression of the mobC‐nic operon. A 7‐bp arm of IR3 (IR3a) was identified as the binding site for NIC and the crucial nucleotides in IR3a for NIC recognition were defined. Fully active oriTRA3 was delineated to a 47‐bp DNA segment encompassing a conserved cleavage site sequence, the NIC binding site IR3a and the MobC binding site OM. This highly efficient RA3 conjugative system with defined requirements for minimal oriT could find ample applications in biotechnology and computational biology where simple conjugative systems are needed.
Effect of persistent menopausal symptoms on the wellbeing of Japanese breast cancer survivors
Authors: Yamamoto Sena , Masutani Eiko , Arao Harue 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWhile more women with breast cancer survive because of advances in cancer treatment including hormonal therapy, they are at a risk of menopausal symptoms, which can threaten their psychological wellbeing. We examined the effect of menopausal symptoms on women's psychological wellbeing during three different phases of breast cancer: short‐term (0–1 years since diagnosis), medium‐term (2–5 years), and long‐term (more than 5 years). In this cross‐sectional study, 425 survivors treated with hormonal therapy were recruited from a convenience sample in Japan and completed an anonymous self‐administered questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis revealed that menopausal symptoms significantly contributed to psychological wellbeing in all phases. In long‐term survivors, menopausal symptoms were significantly milder; however, the negative effect was prolonged. One in three to four survivors was suspected to have poor psychological wellbeing, irrespective of time. Although the effect of menopausal symptoms on psychological wellbeing has been described in short‐term survivors, little is known about the long‐term effect. This study examines the effect of menopausal symptoms on psychological wellbeing, thereby providing useful information regarding long‐term quality of life.
Psychometric properties of the Korean version of the incivility in nursing education‐revised (INE‐R) survey
Authors: De Gagne Jennie C. , Kang Hee Sun , Hyun Myung Sun 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn this study, we developed and tested the psychometric properties of a translated and culturally adapted Korean version of the Incivility in Nursing Education‐Revised (INE‐R) survey. Using a cross‐sectional design, the INE‐R was administered to a convenience sample of 284 students enrolled in three Korean nursing colleges. Descriptive statistics were calculated for 24 student and 24 faculty incivility behavior items. Underlying factor structure was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and model fit was assessed using chi‐square goodness‐of‐fit and other fit indices. For student incivility items, a four‐factor model provided the best fit for the data, while a two‐factor model provided the best fit for faculty incivility items. Overall reliability of the INE‐R for student and faculty incivility behavior was estimated as α = 0.94 and 0.96, respectively. The Korean version of the INE‐R is a reliable measure for assessing perceptions of student and faculty incivility among Korean nursing students.
Convergence of CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS 1 and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR signalling during shade avoidance
Authors: Pacín Manuel , Semmoloni Mariana , Legris Martina , Finlayson Scott A. , Casal Jorge J. 
Published: April 2016

Summary

Shade‐avoidance responses require CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS 1 (COP1) but the mechanisms of action of COP1 under shade have not been elucidated.

Using simulated shade and control conditions, we analysed: the transcriptome and the auxin levels of cop1 and phytochrome interacting factor 1 (pif1) pif3 pif4 pif5 (pifq) mutants; the dynamics of ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) and LONG HYPOCOTYL IN FAR‐RED (HFR1) proteins; and the epistatic relationships between cop1 and pif3, pif4, pif5, hy5 and hfr1 mutations in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Despite severely impaired shade‐avoidance responses, only a few genes that responded to shade in the wild‐type failed to do so in cop1. Shade enhanced the convergence between cop1 and pifq transcriptomes, mainly on shade‐avoidance marker genes. Shade failed to increase auxin levels in cop1. Residual shade avoidance in cop1 was not further reduced by the pif3, pif4 or pif5 mutations, suggesting convergent pathways. HFR1 stability decreased under shade in a COP1‐dependent manner but shade increased HY5 stability.

The cop1 mutant retains responses to shade and is more specifically impaired in shade avoidance. COP1 promotes the degradation of HFR1 under shade, thus increasing the ability of PIFs to control gene expression, increase auxin levels and promote stem growth.
Plants adapted to nutrient limitation allocate less biomass into stems in an arid‐hot grassland
Authors: Yan Bangguo , Ji Zhonghua , Fan Bo , Wang Xuemei , He Guangxiong , Shi Liangtao , Liu Gangcai 
Published: April 2016

Summary

Biomass allocation can exert a great influence on plant resource acquisition and nutrient use. However, the role of biomass allocation strategies in shaping plant community composition under nutrient limitations remains poorly addressed.

We hypothesized that species‐specific allocation strategies can affect plant adaptation to nutrient limitations, resulting in species turnover and changes in community‐level biomass allocations across nutrient gradients. In this study, we measured species abundance and the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in leaves and soil nutrients in an arid‐hot grassland. We quantified species‐specific allocation parameters for stems vs leaves based on allometric scaling relationships. Species‐specific stem vs leaf allocation parameters were weighted with species abundances to calculate the community‐weighted means driven by species turnover.

We found that the community‐weighted means of biomass allocation parameters were significantly related to the soil nutrient gradient as well as to leaf stoichiometry, indicating that species‐specific allocation strategies can affect plant adaptation to nutrient limitations in the studied grassland. Species that allocate less to stems than leaves tend to dominate nutrient‐limited environments.

The results support the hypothesis that species‐specific allocations affect plant adaptation to nutrient limitations. The allocation trade‐off between stems and leaves has the potential to greatly affect plant distribution across nutrient gradients.
Homomorphic ZW chromosomes in a wild strawberry show distinctive recombination heterogeneity but a small sex‐determining region
Authors: Tennessen Jacob A. , Govindarajulu Rajanikanth , Liston Aaron , Ashman Tia‐Lynn 
Published: April 2016

Summary

Recombination in ancient, heteromorphic sex chromosomes is typically suppressed at the sex‐determining region (SDR) and proportionally elevated in the pseudoautosomal region (PAR). However, little is known about recombination dynamics of young, homomorphic plant sex chromosomes.

We examine male and female function in crosses and unrelated samples of the dioecious octoploid strawberry Fragaria chiloensis in order to map the small and recently evolved SDR controlling both traits and to examine recombination patterns on the incipient ZW chromosome.

The SDR of this ZW system is located within a 280 kb window, in which the maternal recombination rate is lower than the paternal one. In contrast to the SDR, the maternal PAR recombination rate is much higher than the rates of the paternal PAR or autosomes, culminating in an elevated chromosome‐wide rate. W‐specific divergence is elevated within the SDR and a single polymorphism is observed in high species‐wide linkage disequilibrium with sex.

Selection for recombination suppression within the small SDR may be weak, but fluctuating sex ratios could favor elevated recombination in the PAR to remove deleterious mutations on the W. The recombination dynamics of this nascent sex chromosome with a modestly diverged SDR may be typical of other dioecious plants.
Allosensitization does not alter post‐transplant outcomes in pediatric patients bridged to transplant with a ventricular assist device
Authors: Castleberry Chesney , Zafar Farhan , Thomas Tamara , Khan Muhammad S. , Bryant Roosevelt , Chin Clifford , Morales David L. S. , Lorts Angela 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPatients supported with a VAD are at increased risk for sensitization. We aimed to determine risk factors for sensitization as well as the impact of sensitization on post‐transplant outcomes. The UNOS database (January 2004–June 2014) was used to identify patients (≤18 yrs) supported with a durable VAD. Rates and degree of sensitization in the VAD cohort were calculated. Post‐transplant survival was determined comparing outcomes of sensitized vs. non‐sensitized patients. There were 3097 patients included in the study; 19% (n = 579) were bridged with a VAD. Of these, 41.8% were sensitized vs. 29.9% of the patients who were not bridged with a VAD (p < 0.001). VAD was an independent predictor of sensitization (OR 2.05 [1.63–2.57]; p < 0.001). There was no difference in sensitization based on device type (continuous vs. pulsatile flow, p = 0.990). Post‐transplant survival rates between the sensitized and non‐sensitized VAD patients were not different, including patients with a PRA >50% and VAD patients with a positive DSC (p = 0.280 and 0.160, respectively). In conclusion, pediatric VAD patients are more likely to be sensitized, but there was no difference in sensitization based on device type. In addition, sensitization does not appear to impact outcomes.
Intra‐subject variability in muscle activity and co‐contraction during jumps and landings in children and adults
Authors: Raffalt P. C. , Alkjær T. , Simonsen E. B. 
Published: April 2016

We investigated muscle activity, intra‐subject variability in muscle activity and co‐contraction during vertical jumps and landings in children and adults. Ten male children and 10 male adults completed 10 countermovement jumps (CMJ), 10 drop jumps (DJ) from 30 cm, 10 low and high landings from 30 and 60 cm for the children and 60 and 90 cm for the adults. The adults also performed ten DJ from 60 cm. EMG was recorded from nine lower limb muscles in the right leg and normalized to isometric MVC. Statistical parametric mapping was used to reveal differences in the muscle activity and intra‐subject variability in the muscle activity. Co‐contraction was quantified for two thigh muscle pairs and one plantar flexor/dorsiflexor muscle pair and group differences were assessed (two‐way ANOVA). No significant differences were observed in the less eccentric demanding CMJ while significantly higher muscle activity magnitude and intra‐subject variability were observed for the children during the initial part of the contact phase of DJ and landings, indicating a less consistent muscle activity pattern in the children. This may indicate that vertical jumps/landings involving a high amount of eccentric muscle contraction constrain the muscle activation in children, possibly because of immature motor control.
Evolutionary history of a secondary terrestrial Australian diving beetle (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae) reveals a lineage of high morphological and ecological plasticity
Authors: TOUSSAINT EMMANUEL F. A. , HENDRICH LARS , ESCALONA HERMES E. , PORCH NICK , BALKE MICHAEL 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe evolution of a secondary terrestrial lifestyle in diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) has never been analysed in a phylogenetic framework before. Here we study Terradessus caecus Watts, a terrestrial species of the subfamily Hydroporinae endemic to Australia. We infer its phylogenetic placement using Bayesian inference and maximum‐likelihood methods based on a multilocus molecular dataset. We also investigate the divergence time estimates of this lineage using a Bayesian relaxed clock approach. Finally, we infer ancestral ecological preferences using a likelihood approach. We recover T. caecus nested in the genus Paroster Sharp with strong support. Therefore, we establish a synonymy for both species of Terradessus with Paroster: Paroster caecus (Watts) n.comb. and Paroster anophthalmus (Brancucci & Monteith) n.comb. Paroster is an endemic Australian genus that has a remarkable number of subterranean species in underground aquifers with highly derived morphologies. Our results highlight one of the most remarkable radiations of aquatic beetles with independent ecological pathways likely linked to palaeoclimatic disruptions in the Neogene. Paroster caecus (Watts) n.comb. originated from a mid‐Miocene split following the onset of an aridification episode that has been ongoing to the present day. The deep changes in ecological communities in association with the drying‐out of palaeodrainage systems might have pushed this lineage to colonize a new niche in terrestrial habitats.
Making whole blood available in austere medical environments: donor performance and safety
Authors: Eliassen Håkon S. , Aandstad Anders , Bjerkvig Christopher , Fosse Theodor , Audun Hervig Tor , Pidcoke Heather F. , Strandenes Geir 
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUNDTo provide whole blood on the battlefield can be a challenge, but a buddy system protocol is both an elegant and the only currently available means to supply blood to a Special Forces team in far‐forward locations. Our aim was to investigate donor‐safety associated with such a protocol.METHODSThis study was a randomized, double‐blinded, controlled trial that aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of a 450 cc blood donation on physical performance in fatigued and dehydrated Special Forces soldiers. The primary outcome variables were absolute and relative maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), exercise tolerance time (ETT) and heart rate (HR).RESULTSRelative VO2max decreased by 7.1% in the donation group between pre and posttest, compared to no change in the control group. Absolute VO2max decreased by 11.2 and 3.6% between pre and posttest in the donation and control groups, respectively. Mean ETT in the donation group was on average 92 seconds shorter compared to baseline, which represents a decrease of 9.5%.CONCLUSIONDonating blood after a week of strenuous physical activity is feasible for Special Forces personnel. While the donation results in some diminishment of VO2max, a 3.6%‐11.2% decrease in relative VO2max, and in elevation of submaximal HR levels highly trained personnel continue to perform well both at both sub‐maximal and maximal effort levels.