bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlates of immune defenses in golden eagle nestlings
Authors: MacColl Elisabeth , Vanesky Kris , Buck Jeremy A. , Dudek Benjamin M. , Eagles‐Smith Collin A. , Heath Julie A. , Herring Garth , Vennum Chris , Downs Cynthia J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAn individual's investment in constitutive immune defenses depends on both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. We examined how Leucocytozoon parasite presence, body condition (scaled mass), heterophil‐to‐lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, sex, and age affected immune defenses in golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nestlings from three regions: California, Oregon, and Idaho. We quantified hemolytic‐complement activity and bacterial killing ability, two measures of constitutive immunity. Body condition and age did not affect immune defenses. However, eagles with lower H:L ratios had lower complement activity, corroborating other findings that animals in better condition sometimes invest less in constitutive immunity. In addition, eagles with Leucocytozoon infections had higher concentrations of circulating complement proteins but not elevated opsonizing proteins for all microbes, and eagles from Oregon had significantly higher constitutive immunity than those from California or Idaho. We posit that Oregon eagles might have elevated immune defenses because they are exposed to more endoparasites than eagles from California or Idaho, and our results confirmed that the OR region has the highest rate of Leucocytozoon infections. Our study examined immune function in a free‐living, long‐lived raptor species, whereas most avian ecoimmunological research focuses on passerines. Thus, our research informs a broad perspective regarding the evolutionary and environmental pressures on immune function in birds.
BMP‐2 gene activated muscle tissue fragments for osteochondral defect regeneration in the rabbit knee
Authors: Betz Volker M. , Keller Alexander , Foehr Peter , Thirion Christian , Salomon Michael , Rammelt Stefan , Zwipp Hans , Burgkart Rainer , Jansson Volkmar , Müller Peter E. , Betz Oliver B. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundPreviously published data indicate that BMP‐2 gene activated muscle tissue grafts can repair large bone defects in rats. This innovative abbreviated ex vivo gene therapy is appealing because it does not require elaborative and time‐consuming extraction and expansion of cells. Hence, in the present study, we evaluated the potential of this expedited tissue engineering approach for regenerating osteochondral defects in rabbits.MethodsAutologous muscle tissue grafts from female White New Zealand rabbits were directly transduced with an adenoviral BMP‐2 vector or remained unmodified. Osteochondral defects in the medial condyle of rabbit knees were treated with either BMP‐2 activated muscle tissue implants or unmodified muscle tissue or remained empty. After 13 weeks, repair of osteochondral defects was examined by biomechanical indentation testing and by histology/imunohistochemistry applying an extended O'Driscoll scoring system and histomorphometry.ResultsBiomechanical investigations revealed a trend towards slightly improved mechanical properties of the group receiving BMP‐2 activated muscle tissue compared to unmodified muscle treatment and empty defect controls. However, a statistically significant difference was noted only between BMP‐2 muscle and unmodified muscle treatment. Also, histological evaluation resulted in slightly higher histological scores and improved collagen I/II ratio without statistical significance in the BMP‐2 treatment group. Histomorphometry indicated enhanced repair of subchondral bone after treatment with BMP‐2 muscle, with a significantly larger bone area compared to untreated defects.ConclusionsGene activated muscle tissue grafts showed potential for osteochondral defect repair. There is room for improvement via the use of appropriate growth factor combinations.
The vocal sac of Hylodidae (Amphibia, Anura): Phylogenetic and functional implications of a unique morphology
Authors: Elias‐Costa Agustin J. , Montesinos Rachel , Grant Taran , Faivovich Julián 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAnuran vocal sacs are elastic chambers that recycle exhaled air during vocalizations and are present in males of most species of frogs. Most knowledge of the diversity of vocal sacs relates to external morphology; detailed information on internal anatomy is available for few groups of frogs. Frogs of the family Hylodidae, which is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and adjacent Argentina and Paraguay, have three patterns of vocal sac morphology—that is, single, subgular; paired, lateral; and absent. The submandibular musculature and structure of the vocal sac mucosa (the internal wall of the vocal sac) of exemplar species of this family and relatives were studied. In contrast to previous accounts, we found that all species ofCrossodactylusandHylodespossess paired, lateral vocal sacs, with the internal mucosa of each sac being separate from the contralateral one. Unlike all other frogs for which data are available, the mucosa of the vocal sacs in these genera is not supported externally by themm. intermandibularisandinterhyoideus. Rather, the vocal sac mucosa projects through the musculature and is free in the submandibular lymphatic sac. The presence of paired, lateral vocal sacs, the internal separation of the sac mucosae, and their projection through them. interhyoideusare synapomorphies of the family. Furthermore, the specific configuration of them. interhyoideusallows asymmetric inflation of paired vocal sacs, a feature only reported in species of these diurnal, stream‐dwelling frogs.
Identification of a new mineralized tissue in the notochord of reared Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)
Authors: Leprévost Amandine , Azaïs Thierry , Trichet Michael , Sire Jean‐Yves 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn a study aiming to improve knowledge on the mineralization of the axial skeleton in reared Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869), we discovered a new mineralized tissue within the notochord. To our knowledge, such a structure has never been reported in any vertebrate species with the exception of the pathological mineralization of the notochord remains in degenerative intervertebral disks of mammals. Here, we describe this enigmatic tissue using X‐ray microtomography, histological analyses and solid state NMR‐spectroscopy. We also performed a 1‐year monitoring of the mineral content (MC) of the notochord in relation with seasonal variations of temperature. In all specimens studied from 2‐year‐old juveniles onwards, this mineralized structure was found within a particular region of the notochord called funiculus. This feature first appears in the abdominal region then extends posteriorly with ageing, while the notochord MC also increases. The mineral phase is mainly composed of amorphous calcium phosphate, a small amount of which changes into hydroxyapatite with ageing. The putative role of this structure is discussed as either a store of minerals available for the phosphocalcic metabolism, or a mechanical support in a species with a poorly mineralized axial skeleton. A pathological feature putatively related to rearing conditions is also discussed.
Raman excitation profiles of hybrid systems constituted by single‐layer graphene and free base phthalocyanine: Manifestations of two mechanisms of graphene‐enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Uhlířová Tereza , Mojzeš Peter , Melniková Zuzana , Kalbáč Martin , Sutrová Veronika , Šloufová Ivana , Vlčková Blanka 
Published: July 2017

The ability of single‐layer graphene (SLG) to enhance Raman scattering of planar aromatic molecules denoted graphene‐enhanced Raman scattering (GERS) is currently the subject of focused interest. We report on manifestations of two mechanisms of GERS in Raman spectra of glass/SLG/free base phthalocyanine (H2Pc) monolayer (ML) hybrid systems: (i) photoinduced charge transfer from SLG Fermi level to LUMO of H2Pc excited at onset of the near IR region, and (ii) modification of resonance Raman scattering of H2Pc in the visible region by SLG–H2Pc interaction resulting into delocalization of the electronic transition over the benzene rings of H2Pc. Glass/SLG/H2Pc hybrid systems with either a bilayer or a monolayer of H2Pc molecules and a graphite/H2Pc (ML) reference system were prepared by a spectrally controlled adsorption–desorption of H2Pc from solution, followed by Raman mapping of samples at excitation wavelengths in the 532–830 nm range, construction of excitation profiles for H2Pc Raman bands of the glass/SLG/H2Pc samples and determination of GERS enhancement factors for the glass/SLG/H2Pc (ML) sample versus the graphite/H2Pc (ML) reference sample (3–24 at 633 nm and 3–19 at 647 nm excitations). Selectivity of the excitation profiles and of the GERS enhancement factors with respect to localization of the vibrational modes within the H2Pc molecule demonstrates involvement of a different resonant electronic transition in each of the two mechanisms of GERS. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ion‐pair switchable‐hydrophilicity solvent‐based homogeneous liquid–liquid microextraction for the determination of paraquat in environmental and biological samples before high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Rahimi Kakavandi Nader , Ezoddin Maryam , Abdi Khosrou , Ghazi‐Khansari Mahmoud , Amini Mohsen , Shahtaheri Seyed Jalalaldin 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAn approach involving ion‐pair switchable‐hydrophilicity solvent‐based homogeneous liquid–liquid microextraction coupled to high‐performance liquid chromatography has been applied for the preconcentration and separation of paraquat in a real sample. A mixture of triethylamine and water was used as the switchable‐hydrophilicity solvent. The pH was regulated using carbon dioxide; hence the ratio of the ionized and non‐ionized form of triethylamine could control the optimum conditions. Sodium dodecyl sulfate was utilized as an ion‐pairing agent. The ion‐associate complex formed between the cationic paraquat and sodium dodecyl sulfate was extracted into triethylamine. The separation of the two phases was carried out by the addition of sodium hydroxide, which changed the ionization state of triethylamine. The effects of some important parameters on the extraction recovery were investigated. Under the optimum conditions (500 μL of the extraction solvent, 1 mg sodium dodecyl sulfate, 2.0 mL of 10 mol/L sodium hydroxide, and pH 4), the limit of detection and the limit of quantification were 0.2 and 0.5 μg/L, respectively, with preconcentration factor of 74. The precision (RSD, n = 10) was <5%. The recovery of the analyte in environmental and biological samples was in the range of 90.0–92.3%.
Determination of different arsenic species in food‐grade spirulina powder by ion chromatography combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Xiangmei , Chen Yuxi , Ye Jun , Fu Fengfu , Pokhrel Ganga Raj , Zhang Huang , Zhu Yongguan , Yang Guidi 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA “two‐step” pressurized microwave‐assisted extraction method coupled with ion chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the determination of different arsenic species in spirulina samples was developed. The extraction method used H2O2/H2O (1:5, v/v) as solvent to extract all arsenic species except arsenite, which was extracted by using water as solvent. The extraction method had a satisfactory recovery (>96%) and took a short time (20.0 min). With our method, all arsenic species in spirulina samples were completely separated and determined with recoveries of 84–105% and relative standard deviations of 2–4%. Food‐grade spirulina powder samples from seven provinces (Inner Mongolia, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hainan, Yunnan, Jiangsu, and Guangxi) in China were analyzed using the optimized protocol. Arsenate was detected at the concentration range of 170–394 ng/g in all the spirulina samples. Dimethylarsinic acid was detected at the concentration range of 32–839 ng/g in spirulina from above‐six provinces except Guangxi. Monomethylarsonic acid (67 ± 3 ng/g) was detected only in spirulina from Yunnan province. Arsenite was detected at the concentration range of 28–147 ng/g in spirulina from above five provinces except Hainan and Guangxi. Five unknown organic arsenic species were found in spirulina from above six provinces except Guangxi.
Phagocytosis of microbial symbionts balances the carbon and nitrogen budget for the deep‐water boreal sponge Geodia barretti
Authors: Leys S. P. , Kahn A. S. , Fang J. K. H. , Kutti T. , Bannister R. J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractGeodia barretti is a massive nearly spherical sponge that forms dense assemblages on the continental shelf of the North Atlantic and the Norwegian Sea. We studied the metabolism of individual sponges collected using a remotely operated vehicle and maintained in large tanks with high volumes of unfiltered water brought from 160 m depth. We used direct methods (In‐Ex) to measure excurrent flow rates, oxygen removed, and carbon and nutrient flux through the sponges. G. barretti had very low specific filtration (0.26 mL min−1 mL−1 sponge tissue) and low respiration (5.34 ± 0.98 nmol O2 min−1 mL−1 sponge tissue; 8.44 ± 1.51 μmol O2 h−1 g C−1) rates in comparison to other sponges. A net release of nitrogen was detected as
. Bacteria were removed from the water filtered with up to 99% efficiency, yet comprised only 5% of the sponges′ total carbon budget; the remainder consisted of dissolved organic carbon and detritus. High bacterial removal was aided by the presence of a tight gasket of cells that surrounds the collar of each choanocyte filter. A test for potential bypass canals showed removal of fluorescent microspheres until they were excreted 5–12 h after feeding. Electron micrographs showed active uptake of Escherichia coli “fed” to the sponge as well as phagocytosis of symbiont microbes by sponge cells in the mesohyl. These data provide the first comprehensive study of metabolism in a deep‐water high microbial abundance sponge.
On some hypersurfaces of the homogeneous nearly Kähler
Authors: Hu Zejun , Yao Zeke , Zhang Yinshan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we study hypersurfaces of the homogeneous nearly Kähler manifold with typical properties. We first show that in the NK there exist neither totally umbilical hypersurfaces nor hypersurfaces of parallel second fundamental form. Then we investigate hypersurfaces of such that its shape operator A and induced almost contact structure ϕ satisfy the condition , and as the main result, a complete classification of this remarkable family of hypersurfaces in is presented.
Photo‐ and Thermoresponsive Dehydration of Spiropyran‐Functionalized Polymer Regulated by Molecular Recognition
Authors: Sumaru Kimio , Takagi Toshiyuki , Satoh Taku , Kanamori Toshiyuki 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe photo‐ and thermoresponse of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAAm) functionalized with spiropyran chromophore is examined with respect to the influence of molecular recognition by cyclodextrin (CD). Characterization in aqueous solutions of spiropyran‐functionalized poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) under coexistence of α‐, β‐, or γ‐CD reveals that β‐CD selectively includes the ring‐closing isomer of the chromophore, which is dominant under light irradiation, while no inclusion is observed for the protonated ring‐opening isomer, which is dominant in the dark before irradiation. As a result, it is shown that the selective inclusion of the chromophore at a polymer side chain is switched by light irradiation. Further, drastic photoresponsive dehydration of spiropyran‐functionalized pNIPAAm is inhibited only by β‐CD out of three examined CDs, demonstrating that the molecular recognition regulates the dehydration of the whole polymer triggered by the photoswitching of the chromophore introduced at only 1 mol% functionalization.
An extension of the Yamada‐Watanabe theorem
Authors: Salavati Erfan 
Published: July 2017

SummaryA well‐known result on pathwise uniqueness of the solution of stochastic differential equations in
is the Yamada‐Watanabe theorem. We have extended this result by replacing the Lipschitz assumption on the drift coefficient by much weaker assumption of semi‐monotonicity.
Better arthritis care: What training do community‐based health professionals need to improve their care of people with arthritis? A Delphi study
Authors: Erwin J. , Edwards K. , Woolf A. , Whitcombe S. , Kilty S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to identify the competencies that non‐specialist community‐based nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs) need to enable them to assess, care for and manage arthritis appropriately.MethodsA Delphi survey with an expert panel of 43 rheumatology specialists and expert patients was used to identify the competencies needed by community‐based nurses and AHPs to enable them to improve their care of people with arthritis. The process was informed by feedback from focus groups with arthritis patients, community‐based nurses and AHPs.ResultsThe core competencies in arthritis care needed by non‐specialist community‐based nurses and AHPs were identified. The key goals identified were to increase the understanding of arthritis and its impact on patients’ lives, and to increase the ability to help patients to self‐manage their condition and access support. Competencies included an understanding of the pathology underlying inflammatory and non‐inflammatory arthritis, the ability to distinguish between the two and the ability to recognize early warning signs, with an emphasis on osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis, gout and septic arthritis. Essential competencies included the ability to engage in shared decision making, goal setting and signposting, to provide patients with education and information and to make appropriate referrals.ConclusionsHealth professionals working in the community commonly encounter arthritis as a presenting problem or as a co‐morbidity. The quality of care provided to people with inflammatory arthritis and OA in the community is currently variable. The present study identified the core competencies that all community‐based nurses and AHPs should have in relation to OA and inflammatory arthritis.
Cauda equina repair in the rat: Part 3. Axonal regeneration across Schwann cell—Seeded collagen foam
Authors: Mackenzie Samuel J. , Yi Juneyoung L. , Singla Amit , Russell Thomas M. , Osterhout Donna J. , Calancie Blair 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Treatments for patients with cauda equina injury are limited. Methods: In this study, we first used retrograde labeling to determine the relative contributions of cauda equina motor neurons to intrinsic and extrinsic rat tail muscles. Next, we transected cauda equina ventral roots and proceeded to bridge the proximal and distal stumps with either a type I collagen scaffold coated in laminin (CL) or a collagen–laminin scaffold that was also seeded with Schwann cells (CLSC). Regeneration was assessed by way of serial retrograde labeling. Results: After accounting for the axonal contributions to intrinsic vs. extrinsic tail muscles, we noted a higher degree of double labeling in the CLSC group (58.0 ± 39.6%) as compared with the CL group (27.8 ± 16.0%; P = 0.02), but not the control group (33.5 ± 18.2%; P = 0.10). Discussion: Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of using CLSCs in cauda equina injury repair. Muscle Nerve 57: E78–E84, 2018
Osteopontin is linked with AKT, FoxO1, and myostatin in skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Nghiem Peter P. , Kornegay Joe N. , Uaesoontrachoon Kitipong , Bello Luca , Yin Ying , Kesari Akanchha , Mittal Priya , Schatzberg Scott J. , Many Gina M. , Lee Norman H. , Hoffman Eric P. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Osteopontin (OPN) polymorphisms are associated with muscle size and modify disease progression in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We hypothesized that OPN may share a molecular network with myostatin (MSTN). Methods: Studies were conducted in the golden retriever (GRMD) and mdx mouse models of DMD. Follow‐up in‐vitro studies were employed in myogenic cells and the mdx mouse treated with recombinant mouse (rm) or human (Hu) OPN protein. Results: OPN was increased and MSTN was decreased and levels correlated inversely in GRMD hypertrophied muscle. RM‐OPN treatment led to induced AKT1 and FoxO1 phosphorylation, microRNA‐486 modulation, and decreased MSTN. An AKT1 inhibitor blocked these effects, whereas an RGD‐mutant OPN protein and an RGDS blocking peptide showed similar effects to the AKT inhibitor. RMOPN induced myotube hypertrophy and minimal Feret diameter in mdx muscle. Discussion: OPN may interact with AKT1/MSTN/FoxO1 to modify normal and dystrophic muscle. Muscle Nerve 56: 1119–1127, 2017
Is repeat Botulinum Toxin A injection valuable for neurogenic detrusor overactivity—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ni Jianshu , Wang Xiaohu , Cao Nailong , Si Jiemin , Gu Baojun 
Published: July 2017

AimTo investigate the value of repeat botulinum toxin A (BTX‐A) injections in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO).MethodsWe searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and EBSCO databases for articles published until June 2016. Studies that reported the efficacy and safety of repeat BTX‐A injections for adult patients with NDO were eligible. The effect size for each outcome was calculated as the standardized mean difference ± standard error and 95% confidence interval, and was graded as small, >0.2; moderate, >0.5; or large, >0.8. The outcomes included maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), maximum detrusor pressure (MDP), reflex volume (RV), bladder compliance (BC), quality of life (QOL), and injection interval. Descriptive reviews were performed for urinary incontinence (UI) and adverse events (AEs).ResultsEighteen studies involving 1533 patients whose level of evidence ranged from 3 to 4 were included in this study. We noted non‐significant changes in MCC, MDP, RV, and BC between the first and last injections. Patients who had received ≤4 injections were found to have stable QOL improvements after the first and last injections, whereas patients who had received ≥5 injections were found to have a significant decrease in QOL after the last injection. No significant differences in injection intervals were noted after repeat BTX‐A injections, and the repeat injection failure rate was low.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that repeat BTX‐A injections allow sustained improvements in patients with NDO. The rate of AEs was stable and low. However, additional high‐quality, large‐scale, and long‐term trials are necessary to establish the efficacy and safety of ≥5 repeat BTX‐A injections.