bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating immune cells in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Jones A P , Kermode A G , Lucas R M , Carroll W M , Nolan D , Hart P H 
Published: October 2016

SummaryCirculating T and B lymphocytes contribute to the pathogenesis of the neuroinflammatory autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis (MS). Further progress in the development of MS treatments is dependent upon a greater understanding of the immunological disturbances that underlie the disease. Analyses of circulating immune cells by flow cytometry have revealed MS-associated alterations in the composition and function of T and B cell subsets, including temporal changes associated with disease activity. Disturbances in circulating immune populations reflect those observed in the central nervous system and include skewing towards proinflammatory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and B cells, greater proportions of follicular T helper cells and functional defects in the corresponding T and B regulatory subsets. Utilizing the analytical power of modern flow cytometers, researchers are now well positioned to monitor immunological changes associated with disease activity or intervention, describe immunological signatures with predictive value and identify targets for therapeutic drug development. This review discusses the contribution of various T and B lymphocyte subsets to MS pathogenesis, provides current and relevant phenotypical descriptions to assist in experimental design and highlights areas of future research.
Using a choice experiment and birder preferences to guide bird‐conservation funding
Authors: Steven Rochelle , Smart James C. R. , Morrison Clare , Castley J. Guy 
Published: October 2016

AbstractConservation of biodiversity, including birds, continues to challenge natural‐area managers. Stated‐preference methods (e.g., choice experiment [CE]) are increasingly used to provide data for valuation of natural ecosystems. We used a CE to calculate birders’ willingness to pay for different levels of bioecological attributes (threatened species, endemic species, and diversity) of birding sites with hypothetical entry fees. The CE was delivered at popular birding and avitourism sites in Australia and the United Kingdom. Latent‐class modeling results revealed heterogeneous preferences among birders and correspondingly variable willingness to pay. Four clear groups were apparent: quantity‐driven birders, special‐birds seekers, confused respondents, and price‐is‐no‐object birders. Quantity‐driven birders were attracted to sites that deliver high levels of diversity and endemic species for which they were willing to pay $135 and $66 to visit, respectively, above what they were willing to pay to visit a site with low levels of diversity and few endemic and threatened species . Special‐bird seekers valued threatened species and high levels of endemic species most (willingness to pay $45 and $46, respectively). Confused respondents’ preferences were difficult to determine, but they were the most sensitive to the hypothetical entry fees, unlike the price‐is‐no‐object birders, who were not at all sensitive to cost. Our findings demonstrate that birders are amenable to paying for their preferred birding experience. These payments could provide an alternative source of funding in some avitourism sites on both public and private land. Such alternative revenue streams should be explored and given full consideration in increasingly competitive conservation‐financing environments.
Effects of leukotriene D4 and histamine nasal challenge on airway responsiveness and inflammation in persistent allergic rhinitis patients
Authors: Zhu Zheng , Xie Yanqing , Guan Weijie , Gao Yi , Xia Shu , Huang Rongquan , Zhong Nanshan , Zheng Jinping 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackgroundBoth histamine and leukotrienes are implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR), although the pattern and severity of the nasal response to these two potent inflammatory mediators may differ, which has not been adequately studied in patients with persistent AR.ObjectiveWe sought to compare the differential effects of nasal challenge with leukotriene D4 (LTD4) and histamine on the airway response and inflammation in patients with AR.MethodsAn open‐label, crossover study was performed in 25 persistent AR patients (AR group) and 16 healthy subjects (control group). Participants randomly underwent histamine and LTD4 nasal provocation within a two‐week interval. Nasal symptoms according to a visual analogue scale (VAS), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), nasal lavage, induced sputum, and spirometry were evaluated before and after nasal challenge.ResultsNasal airway resistance (NAR) increased significantly after both LTD4 and histamine nasal challenge in AR patients (P < .05). The potency of LTD4 was 142‐fold higher than that of histamine in increasing NAR (P < .001). The nasal symptom score induced by histamine challenge was significantly higher than that triggered by LTD4 (3.42 ± 0.83 vs. 1.16 ± 0.94, P < .05) in the AR group. LTD4 and histamine nasal challenge led to a significant increase in neutrophils in the nasal lavage and induced sputum (P < .05) in AR patients. There were no significant differences in the changes of eosinophils before and after LTD4 and histamine nasal challenges in nasal lavage and induced sputum. No significant changes in NAR, the induced symptom score, or inflammatory cells in the nasal lavage and sputum were found in the control group.ConclusionsLTD4 and histamine nasal challenge caused different patterns and severities of nasal symptoms, which correlated with symptoms (TSS) that affect patient's daily life. LTD4 was far more potent than histamine at increasing the NAR, while histamine nasal challenge induced more sneezing and nasal discharge. These results may guide the prescription of anti‐histamine or anti‐leukotriene agents for treating different AR phenotypes.
A comparison of changes in stable isotope ratios in the epidermal mucus and muscle tissue of slow‐growing adult catfish
Authors: Maruyama Atsushi , Tanahashi Emi , Hirayama Takanobu , Yonekura Ryuji 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAlthough stable isotope analysis is a powerful tool for determining diet, migration patterns and the structure of food webs in aquatic systems, the slow response of isotopic ratios in the widely used muscle tissue often hampers this approach, particularly in slow‐growing or adult fishes. We conducted a diet‐switch experiment to compare the changes in the stable carbon isotope ratio (δ13C values) in the epidermal mucus and muscle tissue of five‐year‐old catfish (Silurus asotus). The isotope ratios in noninvasively sampled mucus changed more rapidly than those in the muscle tissue. As isotopic change in mucus was relatively rapid, this technique can be used over a finer timescale than traditional isotopic analyses using the muscle tissue. The isotopic change half‐life in our experimental condition was 200 days, which would not be short enough for some research purposes. Examining mucus along with the muscle would enable food habits of slow‐growing fishes to be determined over different timescales. However, the rate of isotopic change in the mucus was negatively affected by the size of fish and was slower than the previously reported rates in juvenile steelhead. These findings suggest that mucus turnover rates need to be determined prior to the field data interpretation.
Are reprogrammed cells a useful tool for studying dopamine dysfunction in psychotic disorders? A review of the current evidence
Authors: Sauerzopf Ulrich , Sacco Roberto , Novarino Gaia , Niello Marco , Weidenauer Ana , Praschak‐Rieder Nicole , Sitte Harald , Willeit Matthäus 
Published: October 2016

AbstractSince 2006, reprogrammed cells have increasingly been used as a biomedical research technique in addition to neuro‐psychiatric methods. These rapidly evolving techniques allow for the generation of neuronal sub‐populations, and have sparked interest not only in monogenetic neuro‐psychiatric diseases, but also in poly‐genetic and poly‐aetiological disorders such as schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BPD). This review provides a summary of 19 publications on reprogrammed adult somatic cells derived from patients with SCZ, and five publications using this technique in patients with BPD. As both disorders are complex and heterogeneous, there is a plurality of hypotheses to be tested in vitro. In SCZ, data on alterations of dopaminergic transmission in vitro are sparse, despite the great explanatory power of the so‐called DA hypothesis of SCZ. Some findings correspond to perturbations of cell energy metabolism, and observations in reprogrammed cells suggest neuro‐developmental alterations. Some studies also report on the efficacy of medicinal compounds to revert alterations observed in cellular models. However, due to the paucity of replication studies, no comprehensive conclusions can be drawn from studies using reprogrammed cells at the present time. In the future, findings from cell culture methods need to be integrated with clinical, epidemiological, pharmacological and imaging data in order to generate a more comprehensive picture of SCZ and BPD.
Sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition to temperature at different depths in permafrost regions on the northern Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau
Authors: Mu C. , Zhang T. , Zhang X. , Cao B. , Peng X. 
Published: October 2016

The temperature sensitivity coefficient (Q10) of soil organic matter decomposition is an important variable for global climate models. Permafrost regions contain large organic carbon pools. A deep core was taken in permafrost from the northern Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP) and exposed to increases in temperature below and above 0°C. The production of CO2 was related to the soil organic carbon (SOC) contents and stable carbon isotopes. Smaller values of δ13C‐SOC and δ13C‐CO2 showed that the release of CO2 was primarily from soil with large SOC contents. The sensitivities of soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition to temperature near to the permafrost table and in some permafrost layers were larger than those in other layers. In some layers, a temperature increase below 0°C had a greater effect on the decomposition of SOM than one above 0°C. The values of Q10 in active layers varied from 2.7 to 23.0, with a mean of 8.8. The values of Q10 were larger in the deeper layers; they varied from 1.6 to 49.4, with a mean of 20.8. This is because the degradation of permafrost is usually associated with an increase in temperature even when the soil is in a frozen state. Our results suggest that the large values of Q10 at depth under frozen conditions merit more consideration of the response of SOC to climate warming in future research.HighlightsThe sensitivity to temperature coefficient, Q10, is an important property for global climate models.
The values of Q10 for soil organic matter decomposition were also large in deep layers.
A temperature increase below 0°C has large effects on Q10.
The large values of Q10 at depth under frozen conditions merit more consideration.
Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine: a three‐armed, single‐blinded, placebo, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chaibi A. , Benth J. Š. , Tuchin P. J. , Russell M. B. 
Published: October 2016

Background and purposeTo investigate the efficacy of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (CSMT) for migraineurs.MethodsThis was a prospective three‐armed, single‐blinded, placebo, randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 17 months duration including 104 migraineurs with at least one migraine attack per month. The RCT was conducted at Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Active treatment consisted of CSMT, whereas placebo was a sham push manoeuvre of the lateral edge of the scapula and/or the gluteal region. The control group continued their usual pharmacological management. The RCT consisted of a 1‐month run‐in, 3 months intervention and outcome measures at the end of the intervention and at 3, 6 and 12 months follow‐up. The primary end‐point was the number of migraine days per month, whereas secondary end‐points were migraine duration, migraine intensity and headache index, and medicine consumption.ResultsMigraine days were significantly reduced within all three groups from baseline to post‐treatment (P < 0.001). The effect continued in the CSMT and placebo group at all follow‐up time points, whereas the control group returned to baseline. The reduction in migraine days was not significantly different between the groups (P > 0.025 for interaction). Migraine duration and headache index were reduced significantly more in the CSMT than the control group towards the end of follow‐up (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04 for interaction, respectively). Adverse events were few, mild and transient. Blinding was strongly sustained throughout the RCT.ConclusionsIt is possible to conduct a manual‐therapy RCT with concealed placebo. The effect of CSMT observed in our study is probably due to a placebo response.
Social structure and nestmate discrimination in two species of Brachyponera ants distributed in Japan
Authors: Murata Naoki , Tsuji Kazuki , Kikuchi Tomonori 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe ponerine ant Brachyponera chinensis was introduced to the USA, where it has become invasive. Although various ecological data have been collected for B. chinensis populations in the USA, most aspects concerning the biology and ecology of native populations in Japan, a presumed origin, remain unknown. Here we investigated the social structure and nestmate discrimination in native populations of B. chinensis and a closely related species, B. nakasujii. Both species showed functional polygyny over seasons. Only in B. nakasujii was there a seasonal change in the numbers of queens and workers per nest. In arena tests, workers of neither species showed aggressive behaviors to conspecific non‐nestmates from the same population, and the mean aggression score did not increase with the distance between nests. However, some differences in non‐aggressive responses were detected between nestmate and non‐nestmate pairs in both species. In an experiment to introduce a single worker into a nest, B. chinensis accepted non‐nestmates with a high probability just like nestmates, whereas in B. nakasujii non‐nestmates were less accepted than nestmates. These findings suggest that native populations of B. chinensis already possess some of the key characteristics shared by many invasive exotic ants in introduced ranges, such as stable polygyny, weak internest aggression and acceptance of non‐nestmates. These tendencies are remarkable in comparison to the closely related B. nakasujii.
Clinical application of multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of cranial nerves in horses in comparison with high resolution imaging standards
Authors: Dixon J. , Lam R. , Weller R. , Manso‐Díaz G. , Smith M. , Piercy R. J. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryAlthough horses are affected by cranial nerve disease, our understanding of these structures' imaging anatomy is limited, and the optimal modality for imaging of each of these nerves is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the imaging appearance of the equine cranial nerves on high‐resolution 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans of a cadaver head, and with these as standards, examine the utility of MRI and CT performed in clinical cases. High‐resolution MRI and CT images were prospectively acquired of the head of a normal Thoroughbred gelding following euthanasia. Ten clinical cases undergoing high‐field MRI under general anaesthesia and 10 clinical cases undergoing CT in the standing horse under sedation were retrospectively evaluated by three reviewers to assess cranial nerve visibility. On high‐resolution, thin‐slice, MRI scans of the normal cadaver head, each of the 12 cranial nerves and their topographic location could be appreciated. On high‐resolution cadaver CT, cranial nerves II, V and VII were clearly visible, but others were less easily identified; osseous structures were clearly visualised. Clinical MRI and CT allowed for variable visualisation of the cranial nerves, dependent on the sequence and the orientation of scan planes. High‐field MRI allowed excellent visualisation of equine cranial nerves, whereas CT allowed for more detailed visualisation of the osseous canals and foramina. In live horses, the ability to identify all 12 nerves is challenging with either MRI or CT; however, high‐field MRI enables better visualisation of the nerve bundles than CT.
Risks, Challenges and Value for Money of Public–Private Partnerships
Authors: Chung Demi 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis study examines the unique issues, challenges and risks emerging at the end of a public‐private partnership (PPP) concession. The M4 motorway is the first Australian PPP that has reached the end of its concession. The absence of formal guidance on contractual closure created challenges for the partners in interpreting contract ambiguities, and in reaching agreement on the processes needed to close the contract. These challenges had posed several relational risks, the mitigations of which were supported by the relational contract partners developed over the concession term, and their reciprocity and ethical motivations. The reintegration risk emerged in the handback exemplifies the limits of controls designed for legitimacy concerns to resolve coordination problems. The political settlement for value for money was gestured by lifting the toll after the concession ended. In providing unparalleled empirical evidence against the long‐term ‘myths’ of PPPs, the study counters the criticism over PPPs’ impossibilities to handle uncertainties and to transfer risk.
Depressive symptoms modify age effects on hippocampal subfields in older adults
Authors: Szymkowicz Sarah M , McLaren Molly E , O'Shea Andrew , Woods Adam J , Anton Stephen D , Dotson Vonetta M 
Published: October 2016

AimMajor depression is associated with hippocampal volume changes, especially in late‐life depression. These changes usually consist of volume reductions, but depression‐related increases in hippocampal volume have also been reported. Subfield analysis has identified structural changes primarily in the cornu ammonis (CA) 1, CA2–3 and subiculum of the hippocampus in individuals with major depression; however, it is unclear whether lower levels of depressive symptoms are also associated volume reduction, or if depressive symptoms interact with age to impact hippocampal subfields. The current study addressed these questions.MethodsA total of 43 community‐dwelling older adults completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Hippocampal subfield segmentation was carried out using an automated procedure, and left and right volumes from CA1, CA2‐3, and the subiculum served as outcome measures. Multiple hierarchical regressions were carried out with age, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores and their interaction as the independent variables, and sex and total intracranial volume as covariates.ResultsHigher Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores were associated with less age‐related volumetric decreases in the right subiculum and right CA1.ConclusionsAge‐related atrophy in the hippocampus might be counteracted by depressive symptom‐related enlargement of CA1 and the subiculum. More research is required to better understand the functional significance of this relationship. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1494–1500.
Shame, stigma and the take‐up of social assistance: Insights from rural China
Authors: Li Mianguan , Walker Robert 
Published: October 2016

While the reasons for low take‐up of social assistance benefits are complex, stigma is understood to be an important factor. In this study, the proposition that financial need and social rights moderate the deterrent effect of stigma was examined with respect to China as a deviant case. Dibao, the world's largest social assistance scheme, is characterised by high take‐up but poor targeting, stigma and informal discretion in the context of rapidly declining poverty. Qualitative fieldwork reveals how the contrasting stigmas of poverty and abuse are negotiated to claim benefits and illustrates the dangers of implementing social assistance without supportive political, legal and cultural infrastructures.Key Practitioner Message: • Dibao, the world's largest social assistance scheme, is characterised by high take‐up but poor targeting; • The weakening of shame associated with injustice helps to account for the large number of ineligible people successfully claiming dibao; • The strengthening of shame linked to poverty helps to explain the low take‐up of dibao by people experiencing poverty.
The silent overall burden of foot disease in a representative hospitalised population
Authors: Lazzarini Peter A , Hurn Sheree E , Kuys Suzanne S , Kamp Maarten C , Ng Vanessa , Thomas Courtney , Jen Scott , Wills Jude , Kinnear Ewan M , d'Emden Michael C , Reed Lloyd F 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe aims of this study were to investigate the point prevalence, and associated independent factors, for foot disease (ulcers, infections and ischaemia) in a representative hospitalised population. We included 733 (83%) of 883 eligible adult inpatients across five representative Australian hospitals on one day. We collected an extensive range of self‐reported characteristics from participants. We examined all participants to clinically diagnose foot disease (ulcers, infections and ischaemia) and amputation procedures. Overall, 72 participants (9·8%) [95% confidence interval (CI):7·2–11·3%] had foot disease. Foot ulcers, in 49 participants (6·7%), were independently associated with peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, previous foot ulcers, trauma and past surgeon treatment (P < 0·05). Foot infections, in 24 (3·3%), were independently associated with previous foot ulcers, trauma and past surgeon treatment (P < 0·01). Ischaemia, in 33 (4·5%), was independently associated with older age, smokers and past surgeon treatment (P < 0·01). Amputation procedures, in 14 (1·9%), were independently associated with foot infections (P < 0·01). We found that one in every ten inpatients had foot disease, and less than half of those had diabetes. After adjusting for diabetes, factors linked with foot disease were similar to those identified in diabetes‐related literature. The overall inpatient foot disease burden is similar in size to well‐known medical conditions and should receive similar attention.
The Informational Role of Short Sellers: The Evidence from Short Sellers’ Reports on US‐Listed Chinese Firms
Authors: Chen Lei 
Published: October 2016

AbstractUsing US‐listed Chinese firms as the setting, this paper studies a novel channel through which investors can acquire information about firms’ financial reporting quality, that is, the reports published voluntarily by short sellers. I find that short sellers tend to target firms that have financial reporting red flags and that exhibit ‘good’ operating performance and stock valuations. Targeted firms experience an average three‐day cumulative abnormal return (CAR) of −6.4%, and −13.6% for initial coverage of the firm, and the CARs are more negative when the reports allege more severe misconduct of the firms. Non‐targeted firms also experience losses in value following short seller reports, especially when they hire the same non‐Big 4 auditors as targeted firms and when their earnings quality is poor. In comparison, analysts fail to perform proper due diligence and are much less effective than short sellers in exposing misreporting risk in Chinese firms.