bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of endocannabinoid neurotransmission in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis in cardiovascular responses to acute restraint stress in rats
Authors: Gomes‐de‐Souza Lucas , Oliveira Leandro A , Benini Ricardo , Rodella Patrícia , Costa‐Ferreira Willian , Crestani Carlos C 
Published: July 2016

Background and PurposeEndocannabinoid signalling has been reported as an important neurochemical mechanism involved in responses to stress. Previous studies provided evidence of endocannabinoid release in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) during aversive stimuli. Nevertheless, a possible involvement of this neurochemical mechanism in stress responses has never been evaluated. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the involvement of BNST endocannabinoid neurotransmission, acting via local CB1 receptors, in the cardiovascular responses to acute restraint stress in rats.Experimental ApproachThe selective CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (1, 30 and 100 pmol 100 nL−1) and/or the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme inhibitor URB597 (30 pmol 100 nL−1) or the monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) enzyme inhibitor JZL184 (30 pmol 100 nL−1) was microinjected into the BNST before the acute restraint stress.Key ResultsMicroinjection of AM251 into the BNST enhanced the tachycardia caused by restraint stress, without affecting the increase in arterial pressure and the sympathetic‐mediated cutaneous vasoconstrictor response. Conversely, the increased endogenous levels of AEA in the BNST evoked by local treatment with the FAAH enzyme inhibitor URB597 decreased restraint‐evoked tachycardia. Inhibition of the hydrolysis of 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) in the BNST by local microinjection of the MAGL enzyme inhibitor JZL184 also decreased the HR response. These effects of URB597 and JZL184 were abolished by BNST pretreatment with AM251.Conclusions and ImplicationsThese findings indicate an involvement of BNST endocannabinoid neurotransmission, acting via CB1 receptors, in cardiovascular adjustments during emotional stress, which may be mediated by the local release of either AEA or 2‐AG.
Therapeutic potential of adipose stem cell‐derived conditioned medium against pulmonary hypertension and lung fibrosis
Authors: Rathinasabapathy Anandharajan , Bruce Erin , Espejo Andrew , Horowitz Alana , Sudhan Dhivya R , Nair Anand , Guzzo Dominic , Francis Joseph , Raizada Mohan K , Shenoy Vinayak , Katovich Michael J 
Published: July 2016

Background and PurposePulmonary hypertension (PH) and pulmonary fibrosis (PF) are life threatening cardiopulmonary diseases. Existing pharmacological interventions have failed to improve clinical outcomes or reduce disease‐associated mortality. Emerging evidence suggests that stem cells offer an effective treatment approach against various pathological conditions. It has been proposed that their beneficial actions may be mediated via secretion of paracrine factors. Herein, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of conditioned media (CM) from adipose stem cells (ASCs) against experimental models of PH and PF.Experimental ApproachMonocrotaline (MCT) or bleomycin (Bleo) was injected into male Sprague–Dawley rats to induce PH or PF respectively. A subset of MCT and Bleo animals were treated with ASCs or CM. Echocardiographic and haemodynamic measurements were performed at the end of the study. Lung and heart tissues were harvested for RNA, protein and histological measurements.Key ResultsCM treatment attenuated MCT‐induced PH by improving pulmonary blood flow and inhibiting cardiac remodelling. Further, histological studies revealed that right ventricular fibrosis, pulmonary vessel wall thickness and pericyte distribution were significantly decreased by CM administration. Likewise, CM therapy arrested the progression of PF in the Bleo model by reducing collagen deposition. Elevated expression of markers associated with tissue remodelling and inflammation were significantly reduced in both PF and PH lungs. Similar results were obtained with ASCs administration.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur study indicates that CM treatment is as effective as ASCs in treating PH and PF. These beneficial effects of CM may provide an innovative approach to treat cardiopulmonary disorders.
Spatial variations of magmatic crustal accretion during the opening of the Tyrrhenian back‐arc from wide‐angle seismic velocity models and seismic reflection images
Authors: Prada Manel , Sallares Valenti , Ranero César R. , Vendrell Montserrat G. , Grevemeyer Ingo , Zitellini Nevio , de Franco Roberto 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe structural complexity of back‐arc basins is related to the evolution of the associated subduction system. Here, we present an integrated geophysical and geological study that constrains the 3D spatial variability of magmatic activity along the Tyrrhenian back‐arc basin. We use wide‐angle seismic and gravity data, acquired in 2010 within the MEDOC experiment along a ~300 km‐long NW‐SE transect that extends from SE Sardinia Island to the NW Sicily continental margin, across the Cornaglia Terrace. The geophysical transect is coincident with a seismic reflection line from the Italian CROP experiment that we have re‐processed. The geophysical results, together with available basement dredges, support a basement along the profile fundamentally composed of continental‐type rocks, locally affected by subduction‐related magmatism. The continental nature of this region contrasts with the nature of the basement inferred along two geophysical cross‐sections located to the north of the Cornaglia Terrace in which seismic velocity of the lower crust supports significant magmatic crustal accretion. The comparison of these three cross‐sections supports that the highest magmatic activity occurred in the central and most extended region of the basin, whereas it was less important in the North and practically nonexistent in the South. These observations indicate abrupt variations of magmatism during the basin formation. As in other back‐arcs, the temperature, water content and composition of the mantle might have played an important role in such variation, but they fail to explain the abruptness of it. We propose that the interaction of the overriding continental lithospheres of Adria and Africa with the Apenninic‐Calabrian subduction system caused changes in slab rollback and trench retreat dynamics, which in turn resulted in variations of back‐arc stretching and magmatism. Based on our observations, we suggest that the Cornaglia Terrace formation process might share some similarities with the formation of oceanic crust in the Red Sea.
Mammalian herbivores, grass height and rainfall drive termite activity at different spatial scales in an African savanna
Authors: Gosling Cleo M. , Schrama Maarten , van Erk Aafke , Olff Han , Cromsigt Joris P. G. M. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractTermites have a large influence on ecosystem functioning. Understanding what drives termite activity patterns improves understanding of nutrient cycling, productivity, and heterogeneity in savannas. We present a mechanistic framework that relates the interactive effects of rainfall, grassland structure, large herbivore presence, and soil factors to termite activity. To test this framework, we used grass litterbags to monitor termite activity at ten sites across Hluhluwe‐iMfolozi Park, South Africa. We assessed the effects of abiotic and biotic factors on termite activity at two scales: the large (landscape) scale, variation in bait removal among 300 m2 plots that were distributed across the park and at the small (within‐plot) scale (1–300 m2). Half of our sites were located inside large herbivore exclosures to test for the effect of mammalian herbivore presence. At the landscape scale, termite grass removal declined towards higher rainfall and in the presence of mammalian herbivores. Removal did not depend on soil factors. At the small scale, removal declined with increasing grass height, particularly in the 1 m surrounding the bait bag. Resource quality did not affect bait removal. We suggest that competition for forage drives the negative effect of mammalian herbivores on termites, whereas lower bait removal in taller swards may be due to direct negative effects from rainfall, fire and/or competition with free‐living microbes. Ultimately, we suggest that the impact of termites on nutrient cycling is most pronounced when abiotic (rainfall) and biotic conditions (mammalian herbivory) limit grass removal by fire and decomposition by free‐living microbes.
Columnar cacti as sources of energy and protein for frugivorous bats in a semi‐arid ecosystem
Authors: Herrera M. L. Gerardo , López R. Teresa 
Published: July 2016

AbstractColumnar cacti constitute the dominant elements in the vegetation structure of arid and semi‐arid New World ecosystems representing a plethora of food resources for vertebrate consumers. Previous stable isotope analysis in Central Mexico showed that columnar cacti are of low importance to build tissue for frugivorous bats. We used carbon stable isotope analysis of whole blood and breath samples collected from four species of frugivorous bats (Sturnira parvidens, Sturnira ludovici, Artibeus jamaicensis, and Artibeus intermedius) to reconstruct the importance of cactus plants in their diet. Breath samples were collected within 10 min (B10) of bat capture and ~12 h after capture (B720), representing the oxidation of recently ingested food and of body reserves, respectively. We expected that bats relied primarily on non‐cactus food to construct tissues and fuel oxidative metabolism. Non‐cactus food strongly predominated for tissue building, whereas oxidative metabolism was supported by a moderate preponderance of non‐cactus food for B10 samples, and a moderate preponderance of cactus food or an equal contribution of both sources for B720 samples. Artibeus and Surnira species appear to cover a narrow part of the diet with cactus food, confirming that the incorporation of nutrients derived from these plants is not generalized among vertebrate consumers.
Two‐sample nonparametric estimation of intergenerational income mobility in the United States and Sweden
Authors: Murtazashvili Irina , Liu Di , Prokhorov Artem 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWe estimate intergenerational income mobility in the US and Sweden, using a new nonparametric approach. The approach addresses several empirical issues raised in the literature and applies when other estimators are infeasible. We argue that previous estimates of income mobility conceal the heterogeneous nature of the transmission mechanism by keeping mobility constant across families. The striking differences we find between mobility patterns across family backgrounds, captured by father's education, lead us to question the conventional result that intergenerational transmission of earnings is weaker in Sweden than in the United States, for important parts of the population.
Estimating labour supply responses and welfare participation: Using a natural experiment to validate a structural labour supply model
Authors: Hansen Jorgen , Liu Xingfei 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWe estimate an economic model of labour supply and welfare participation using data on single men from Quebec drawn from the 1986 Canadian Census. Detailed budget sets for each work‐welfare combination—accounting for income taxes, tax credits and welfare benefit rules—are derived using a micro‐simulation model. We show that predicted reactions to a welfare reform that took place in 1989 replicate actual changes in labour supply and welfare participation. We also illustrate the advantage of having estimated a structural model by showing how labour supply and welfare participation change when income taxes and benefit levels change.
Workforce or workfare? The optimal use of work requirements when labour is supplied along the extensive margin
Authors: Brett Craig , Jacquet Laurence 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis paper explores the use of workfare as part of a tax mix when labour supply responses are along the extensive margin. In an economy where the government has a priori chosen any tax‐and‐benefit schedule, we show that, despite their common goal of providing additional incentives for individuals to enter the labour force, workfare and an earned income tax credit are at odds with each other. We also show that, in the presence of an optimal nonlinear income tax, introducing unproductive workfare is always suboptimal when individuals face the same disutility of being on workfare. When this disutility is heterogeneous, unproductive workfare may be a useful policy tool.
Parents' voices: ‘why and how we advocate’. A meta‐synthesis of parents' experiences of advocating for their child with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Boshoff K. , Gibbs D. , Phillips R. L. , Wiles L. , Porter L. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractParenting a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be stressful, and accessing services can add to this stress. Self‐efficacy, agency and advocacy are important for parents when accessing and using services. To develop insight into parental advocacy, a meta‐synthesis was undertaken to consolidate the literature focussing on parents' experiences of advocating for their child with ASD. A qualitative meta‐synthesis was conducted. Fifteen databases were systematically searched by using key terms related to ASD, children, parents/carers, advocacy and qualitative studies. Twenty‐four studies were identified and appraised using an adapted version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. Data were synthesized into themes through the steps of review, meta‐aggregation, integration and interpretation. Two overarching concepts emerged, illustrating both the challenging nature of advocacy and the associated personal and societal benefits. These two concepts are supported by eight themes: a life‐long, all‐encompassing challenge; advocacy as a parental coping strategy; advocacy involving working to create a future; balancing roles and needs; isolation versus support; personal impacts of advocacy; benefits of advocacy; and the barriers to advocacy. The experience of advocacy for parents with a child with ASD is complex and intensive, presenting both personal and societal benefits, as well as challenges for parents. In supporting individuals with ASD and family well‐being, service providers need to have an understanding of the advocating role of parents and ensure that opportunities exist for their voices to be heard during service delivery.
Prosocial Behavior in Infancy: The Role of Socialization
Authors: Brownell Celia A. ,   The Early Social Development Research Lab
Published: July 2016

AbstractHuman prosocial behavior emerges in the 2nd year of life, posing challenging questions about mechanism. An increasingly common claim is that prosocial behavior in the first 3 years of life is neither a result of nor affected by socialization. In this article, we argue that early socialization plays a critical role in the developmental origins of prosocial behavior. To support this argument, we highlight conceptual perspectives and empirical evidence for influences of socialization from parents' reports, direct observation, and experimental studies. We conclude that progress in explaining the ontogenetic origins of human prosocial behavior depends on more fully specifying mechanisms of socialization in infancy as well as what and how human infants learn from their social experiences.
Factors affecting the possibility to detect buccal bone condition around dental implants using cone beam computed tomography
Authors: Liedke Gabriela S. , Spin‐Neto Rubens , da Silveira Heloisa E. D. , Schropp Lars , Stavropoulos Andreas , Wenzel Ann 
Published: July 2016

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate factors with impact on the conspicuity (possibility to detect) of the buccal bone condition around dental implants in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging.Material and MethodsTitanium (Ti) or zirconia (Zr) implants and abutments were inserted into 40 bone blocks in a way to obtain variable buccal bone thicknesses. Three combinations regarding the implant–abutment metal (TiTi, TiZr, or ZrZr) and the number of implants (one, two, or three) were assessed. Two CBCT units (Scanora 3D – Sc and Cranex 3D – Cr) and two voxel resolutions (0.2 and 0.13 mm) were used. Reconstructed sagittal images (2.0 and 5.0 mm thickness) were evaluated by three examiners, using a dichotomous scale when assessing the condition of the buccal bone around the implants. A multivariate logistic regression was performed using examiners’ detection of the buccal bone condition as the dependent variable. Odds ratio (OR) were calculated separately for each CBCT unit.ResultsImplant–abutment combination (ZrZr) (OR Sc = 19.18, OR Cr = 11.89) and number of implants (3) (OR Sc = 12.10, OR Cr = 4.25) had major impact on buccal bone conspicuity. The thinner the buccal bone, the higher the risk that the condition of the buccal bone could not be detected. The use of lower resolution protocols increased the risk that buccal bone was not properly detected (OR Sc = 1.46, OR Cr = 2.00). For both CBCT units, increasing the image reconstruction thickness increased the conspicuity of buccal bone (OR Sc = 0.33, OR Cr = 0.31).ConclusionsBuccal bone conspicuity was impaired by a number of factors, the implant–abutment material being the most relevant. Acquisition and reconstruction factors had minor impact on the detection of the buccal bone condition.
Long‐term follow‐up of lung transplant recipients supports non‐operative treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis
Authors: Vetter Diana , Schuurmans Macé M. , Benden Christian , Clavien Pierre‐Alain , Nocito Antonio 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundWe aim to assess the incidence, current treatment, and outcome of diverticulitis in highly immunosuppressed lung transplant recipients.MethodsRetrospective analysis of a prospective database of 403 lung transplant recipients transplanted between 1992 and 2013 with a mean follow‐up of 100 months (SD 58.0).Results4.46% of lung transplant recipients (n=18) developed diverticulitis. Eight lung transplant recipients developed uncomplicated diverticulitis, which were all treated successfully with antibiotics. Three patients (37.5%) underwent elective sigmoid resection with severe Grade 3b complications after two of five (40%) surgical procedures. Diverticulitis recurrence occurred in five patients (60%). In total, 10 lung transplant recipients presented with 11 episodes of perforated diverticulitis with a 30‐day mortality rate of 9.1%. Hartmann procedure was performed in eight lung transplant recipients. Sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis and protective ileostomy was performed in three patients with Hinchey I. Two of these patients developed anastomotic leakage with a secondary Hartmann procedure.ConclusionDue to high leakage rate after resection with primary anastomosis and protective ileostomy in our cohort of lung transplant recipients with perforated diverticulitis, the Hartmann procedure seems to be the safer option. In contrast, in uncomplicated diverticulitis, non‐operative treatment can be considered as a safe and highly successful treatment option, even for recurrences.
Pagetoid Spitz nevi: clinicopathologic characterization of a series of 12 cases
Authors: Fernandez Anthony P. , Billings Steven D. , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Ko Jennifer S. , Piliang Melissa P. 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundPagetoid Spitz nevus is an uncommon Spitz nevus variant characterized by a predominantly intraepidermal proliferation of single epithelioid melanocytes. Recognition of this variant is important to avoid misdiagnosis as melanoma.MethodsWe reviewed and characterized 12 pagetoid Spitz nevi diagnosed at a tertiary care institution over the past 25 years.ResultsAll patients were female and average age at biopsy was 34 years. Clinically, 83% (10 out of 12) were located on an extremity and all were ≤ 6 mm in diameter. Histologically, pagetoid Spitz nevi were characterized by individual intraepidermal epithelioid melanocytes mostly confined to the lower half of the epidermis. Most displayed epidermal hyperplasia, eosinophilic bodies and melanocytes with minimal pleomorphism. All displayed melanoderma and at least mild dermal inflammation.ConclusionsThis represents the largest series of pagetoid Spitz nevi characterized to date. Although most clinicopathologic characteristics in our series correlated with those previously described, novel findings included occurrence in middle‐aged adults, occurrence above the waist and demonstration of melanoderma in all lesions. Presence of dermal inflammation and melanoderma may contribute to atypical clinical appearance leading to biopsy despite their small clinical size. Recognition of these additional novel histologic features may aid dermatopathologists in distinguishing pagetoid Spitz nevi from melanoma.
Bug or no bug: challenges in diagnosing cutaneous mycobacterial infections
Authors: Peters Franziska , Batinica Marina , Plum Georg , Eming Sabine A. , Fabri Mario 
Published: July 2016

SummaryCutaneous mycobacterioses are rare in Germany. Nevertheless, early diagnosis and subsequent effective treatment requires awareness of these conditions. Moreover, mycobacterial infections are on the differential diagnosis list of many skin diseases. Diagnoses of cutaneous mycobacterioses are based on clinical features, but also on laboratory investigations, including bacterial culture, histopathology and PCR‐based methods. Knowledge about the opportunities and limitations of theses laboratory tests is pivotal to reasonable clinical decision‐making. In this paper, we review the current diagnostic options when suspecting a case of cutaneous mycobacterial infection.
Temporary pools provide stability to fish assemblages in Amazon headwater streams
Authors: Espírito‐Santo Helder M. V. , Zuanon Jansen 
Published: July 2016

AbstractTemporal variations in the environment may function as disturbances that affect population processes and change the structure and composition trajectories of communities. The presence of refuges may buffer such variations and also support the recovery of communities after disturbances. In this study, we tested the effect of temporary pools as seasonal refuges for the ichthyofauna in upland forest streams in the Brazilian Amazon. We sampled environmental characteristics and fish in five occasions over one seasonal cycle in eight stream stretches and their adjacent temporary pools in Reserva Ducke, Manaus. We recorded 27 fish species, 13 of which occurred in both habitats and represented 81% of the total fish abundance in the stream–pool system (3695 records of fish, 54% made in pools). During rainy periods, fish abundance in pools was higher than in the channels. Total number of records varied inversely among habitats over time with a reduction in the pools and an increase in the channels as the pools gradually desiccated. The number of species exhibited a similar pattern. When data from pools and channels were pooled, representing the entire flood zone, fluctuations in all the measured variables along the time were smoothed. The variability in fish assemblage composition was associated with variability in the volume of water in the entire system. These results indicate that temporary pools are an important habitat component of upland forest streams, providing resources and spatial refuges for the fish during rainy periods, and regulating the stability of these communities.