bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How to measure mitochondrial function in birds using red blood cells: a case study in the king penguin and perspectives in ecology and evolution
Authors: Stier Antoine , Romestaing Caroline , Schull Quentin , Lefol Emilie , Robin Jean‐Patrice , Roussel Damien , Bize Pierre 
Published: December 2016

Summary

Mitochondria are the powerhouse of animal cells. They produce through oxidative phosphorylation more than 90% of the cellular energy (ATP) required for organism's growth, reproduction, and maintenance. Hence, information on mitochondrial function is expected to bring important insights in animal ecology and evolution. Unfortunately, the invasiveness of the procedures required to measure mitochondrial function (e.g. sampling of liver or muscles) has limited its study in wild vertebrate populations so far. Here, we capitalize on the fact that bird red blood cells (RBCs) possess functional mitochondria to describe a minimally invasive approach to study mitochondrial function, using blood samples.

In the king penguin, we present a protocol, using a high‐resolution respirometry system and specific agonists and antagonists enabling the assessment of mitochondrial function in RBCs. We evaluated the inter‐assay repeatability of our measures of mitochondrial function, and tested the influence of sample storage and bird handling time on these measures. We also compared measures of mitochondrial function in RBCs and in the pectoral muscle obtained from the same individuals.

Mitochondria from RBCs showed the expected responses to mitochondrial agonists and antagonists, and therefore the protocol presented allows computing effective measures of mitochondrial function. The different measures of RBC mitochondrial function were significantly repeatable, were not affected by the handling time of the bird prior to blood sampling (i.e. stress response), and only minimally affected by the storage time of the sample at 4 °C up to 24 h. Most notably, we showed that mitochondrial parameters measured in RBCs moderately correlated to those measured in the pectoral muscle.

This study sheds light on the use of RBCs in birds as a valuable and minimally invasive source of information on mitochondrial function. This approach opens new opportunities to study mitochondrial function in free‐living animals and could bring knowledge gains in ecology and evolution. Fish, amphibians and reptiles also possess mitochondria in their RBCs, and the approach presented here could also be applicable to these taxa.
A SMART data analysis method for constructing adaptive treatment strategies for substance use disorders
Authors: Nahum‐Shani Inbal , Ertefaie Ashkan , Lu Xi (Lucy) , Lynch Kevin G. , McKay James R. , Oslin David W. , Almirall Daniel 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAimsTo demonstrate how Q‐learning, a novel data analysis method, can be used with data from a sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial (SMART) to construct empirically an adaptive treatment strategy (ATS) that is more tailored than the ATSs already embedded in a SMART.MethodWe use Q‐learning with data from the Extending Treatment Effectiveness of Naltrexone (ExTENd) SMART (N = 250) to construct empirically an ATS employing naltrexone, behavioral intervention, and telephone disease management to reduce alcohol consumption over 24 weeks in alcohol dependent individuals.ResultsQ‐learning helped to identify a subset of individuals who, despite showing early signs of response to naltrexone, require additional treatment to maintain progress.ConclusionsQ‐learning can inform the development of more cost‐effective, adaptive treatment strategies for treating substance use disorders.
Breast milk polyunsaturated fatty acids: associations with adolescent allergic disease and lung function
Authors: Waidyatillake N. T. , Stoney R. , Thien F. , Lodge C. J. , Simpson J. A. , Allen K. J. , Abramson M. J. , Erbas B. , Svanes C. , Dharmage S. C. , Lowe A. J. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundIt has been hypothesized that n−3 PUFA in breast milk may assist immune and lung development. There are very limited data on possible long‐term effects on allergic disease and lung function. The aim was to investigate associations of n−3 and n−6 PUFA levels in colostrum and breast milk with allergic disease and lung function at ages 12 and 18 years.MethodsPolyunsaturated fatty acids were measured in 194 colostrum samples and in 118 three‐month expressed breast milk samples from mothers of children enrolled in the Melbourne Atopy Cohort (MACS) Study, a high‐risk birth cohort study. Associations with allergic diseases, skin prick tests and lung function assessed at 12 and 18 years were estimated using multivariable regression.ResultsHigher levels of n−3 but not n−6 PUFAs in colostrum were associated with a trend towards increased odds of allergic diseases, with strong associations observed for allergic rhinitis at 12 (OR = 5.69[95% CI: 1.83,17.60] per weight%) and 18 years (4.43[1.46,13.39]) and eczema at 18 years (9.89[1.44, 68.49]). Higher levels of colostrum n−3 PUFAs were associated with reduced sensitization (3.37[1.18, 9.6]), mean FEV1 (−166 ml [−332, −1]) and FEV1/FVC ratio (−4.6%, [−8.1, −1.1]) at 12 years.ConclusionHigher levels of colostrum n−3 PUFAs were associated with increased risks of allergic rhinitis and eczema up to 18 years, and sensitization and reduced lung function at 12 years. As residual confounding may have caused these associations, they should be replicated, but these results could indicate that strategies that increase maternal n−3 PUFA intake may not aid in allergic disease prevention.
Robot‐assisted surgery in gynecological oncology: current status and controversies on patient benefits, cost and surgeon conditions – a systematic review
Authors: Kristensen Steffen E. , Mosgaard Berit J. , Rosendahl Mikkel , Dalsgaard Tórur , Bjørn Signe F. , Frøding Ligita P. , Kehlet Henrik , Høgdall Claus K. , Lajer Henrik 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIntroductionRobot‐assisted surgery has become more widespread in gynecological oncology. The purpose of this systematic review is to present current knowledge on robot‐assisted surgery, and to clarify and discuss controversies that have arisen alongside the development and deployment.Material and methodsA database search in PubMed and EMBASE was performed up until 4 March 2016. The search strategy was developed in collaboration with an information specialist, and by application of the PRISMA guidelines. Human participants and English language were the only restrictive filters applied. Selection was performed by screening of titles and abstracts, and by full text scrutiny. From 2001 to 2016, a total of 76 references were included.ResultsRobot‐assisted surgery in gynecological oncology has increased, and current knowledge supports that the oncological safety is similar, compared with previous surgical methods. Controversies arise because current knowledge does not clearly document the benefit of robot‐assisted surgery, on perioperative outcome compared with the increased costs of the acquisition and application.ConclusionsThe rapid development in robot‐assisted surgery calls for long‐term detailed prospective cohorts or randomized controlled trials. The costs associated with acquisition, application, and maintenance have an unfavorable impact on cost–benefit evaluations, especially when compared with laparoscopy. Future developments in robot‐assisted surgery will hopefully lead to competition in the market, which will decrease costs.
Exercise during pregnancy and risk of preterm birth in overweight and obese women: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Magro‐Malosso Elena Rita , Saccone Gabriele , Di Mascio Daniele , Di Tommaso Mariarosaria , Berghella Vincenzo 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIntroductionThe incidence of overweight and obesity in pregnancy has risen significantly in the last decades. Overweight and obesity have been shown to increase the risk for some adverse obstetric outcomes. Lifestyle interventions, such as diet, physical activity and behavior changes, may reduce these risks by promoting weight loss and/or preventing excessive weight gain. The possible impact of exercise on the risk of preterm birth (PTB) in overweight or obese women is controversial. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on the risk of PTB in overweight or obese pregnant women.Material and methodsMEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Sciences, Scopus, ClinicalTrial.gov, OVID and Cochrane Library were searched from their inception to November 2016. This meta‐analysis included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pregnant women assigned or not assigned before 25 weeks to an aerobic exercise regimen. Types of participants included overweight or obese (mean body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) women with singleton pregnancies without any contraindication to physical activity. The summary measures were reported as relative risk (RR) or as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The primary outcome was the incidence of PTB <37 weeks.ResultsNine trials including 1502 overweight or obese singleton gestations were analyzed. Overweight and obese women who were randomized in early pregnancy to aerobic exercise for about 30–60 min three to seven times per week had a lower percentage of PTB <37 weeks (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41–0.95) compared with controls. The incidence of gestational age at delivery (MD 0.09 week, 95% CI −0.18 to 0.24) and cesarean delivery (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.77–1.10) were similar in both groups. Women in the exercise group had a lower incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41–0.90) compared with controls. No differences in birthweight (MD 16.91 g, 95% CI −89.33 to 123.19), low birthweight (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.25–1.34), macrosomia (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.72–1.18) and stillbirth (RR 2.13, 95% CI 0.22–20.4) between the exercise group and controls were found.ConclusionsOverweight and obese women with singleton pregnancy can be counseled that, compared with being more sedentary, aerobic exercise for about 30–60 min three to seven times per week during pregnancy is associated with a reduction in the incidence of PTB. Aerobic exercise in overweight and obese pregnant women is also associated with a significant prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus, and should therefore be encouraged.
Contraceptive non‐use and emergency contraceptive use at first sexual intercourse among nearly 12 000 Scandinavian women
Authors: Guleria Sonia , Juul Kirsten E. , Munk Christian , Hansen Bo T. , Arnheim‐Dahlström Lisen , Liaw Kai‐Li , Nygård Mari , Kjær Susanne K. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to describe recent patterns of contraceptive use at first sexual intercourse and to examine whether selected factors are associated with non‐use and emergency contraceptive pill use at first sexual intercourse, among 18‐ to 26‐year‐old women from Denmark, Norway and Sweden.Material and methodsThis was a population‐based, questionnaire study of randomly chosen 18‐ to 26‐year‐old Scandinavian women. The prevalence of contraception methods used at first sexual intercourse was calculated. Factors associated with contraceptive non‐use and emergency contraceptive pill use at first sexual intercourse were determined using log binomial models.ResultsThe prevalence of contraceptive non‐use and emergency contraceptive pill use was lowest in Denmark (9.6 and 2.1%, respectively) compared with Norway (14.1 and 4.4%) and Sweden (16.6 and 4.5%). The risk of contraceptive non‐use increased in women who had first sexual intercourse at or before 14 years of age (13–14 years: prevalence ratio 1.40; 95% confidence interval 1.24–1.58). The risk of both non‐use and emergency contraceptive pill use increased when the partner at first sexual intercourse was 20 years or older, and with increasing age difference between the partner and the woman at her first sexual intercourse. Smoking initiation prior to first sexual intercourse increased risk of contraceptive non‐use (prevalence ratio 1.70; 95% confidence interval 1.50–1.92), and alcohol initiation prior to first sexual intercourse increased risk of emergency contraceptive pill use at first sexual intercourse (prevalence ratio 1.95; 95% confidence interval 1.49–2.54).ConclusionsContraceptive non‐use at first sexual intercourse was strongly associated with early age at first sexual intercourse. Emergency contraceptive pill and contraceptive non‐use at first sexual intercourse were both strongly associated with increasing partner age and an increasing difference in age between the woman and her partner. Hence, young women should be educated to negotiate contraceptive use with their partners.
Measurement of lacrimal punctum using spectralis domain anterior optical coherence tomography
Authors: Sung Youngje , Park Jong Seo , Lew Helen 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPurposeAnterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT) was used to image the lacrimal punctum and establish normal punctal parameters including the tear volume inside the punctum.MethodsThis study included totally 67 eyes from 38 normal subjects. Punctal parameters and tear meniscus height (TMH) were measured using spectralis OCT anterior‐segment scans. Outer punctal diameter (OPD), punctal depth, tear well diameter (TWD), tear well depth, punctal reserve (PR) and lower eyelid TMH were assessed. Authors defined a ‘tear well’ as a pool of standing tears in the punctum. Punctal reserve was defined as the difference between punctal depth and tear well depth.ResultsOuter punctal diameter was 614.6 ± 195.6 μm, the punctal depth was 545.8 ± 270.1 μm, TWD was 229.9 ± 133.8 μm, the tear well depth was 434.9 ± 247.8 μm, the PR was 110.9 ± 72.9 μm, the PR ratio was 0.20 ± 0.17, and the TMH was 222.9 ± 88.8 μm. The punctal depth decreased significantly according to the patient's age (correlation coefficient = −0.352, respectively).ConclusionAS‐OCT is useful for improving anatomical understanding of the lacrimal punctal structure. Quantitative punctum and tear well measurements were correlated with TMH.
Relative Amplitude of Courtship Song Chirp and Trill Components Does Not Alter Female Teleogryllus oceanicus Mating Behavior
Authors: Balenger Susan L. , Lara Laura M. , Zuk Marlene 
Published: December 2016

AbstractLow‐amplitude acoustic signals intended for short‐range communication, often called soft songs, remain poorly studied, especially among acoustically communicating invertebrates. Some insects do employ low‐amplitude acoustic signals, but it remains unclear what the specific function, if any, is of quietness per se. Male Teleogryllus oceanicus, or Pacific field crickets, produce a two component, short‐distance courtship song consisting of a high‐amplitude series of chirps followed by a lower‐amplitude trill. We investigated whether female T. oceanicus prefer to mate with males that sing courtship songs containing trill components that are equally as loud as (−0 dB) or quieter than (−3 dB and −10 dB) the loudest chirp (90 dB). We found no evidence that modifying trill amplitude affects female mate preference. We did, however, find that previously unmated females were faster to mount males than were females that had mated once before. Previous mating status showed no significant interaction with trill amplitude. What, if any, function of low‐amplitude components of field cricket courtship song remains to be determined.
Fatigue behaviour of dissimilar Al 5052 and Mg AZ31 resistance spot welds with Sn‐coated steel interlayer
Authors: Sun M , Behravesh S B , Wu L , Zhou Y , Jahed H 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe fatigue property of dissimilar spot welds between an aluminium alloy (AA5052) and a magnesium alloy (AZ31) was studied in this research. The AA5052 and AZ31 coupons were resistance spot welded together by using an interlayer of Sn‐coated steel between the two coupons. The fatigue test results revealed that the Mg/Al joints had the same level of fatigue strength as Mg/Mg resistance spot welds. It was found that within the life range of Nf < 105 cycles, Mg/Al welds degraded faster than Mg/Mg joints. This was attributed to the larger bending moment on the plane of fatigue failure in the Mg/Al welds. Three failure modes were observed under different cyclic loading regimes: Al/steel interfacial failure, Mg coupon failure and Al coupon failure. Fatigue fracture surface of Mg/Al welds consisted of two distinct regions: crack propagation region with brittle morphology and final rupture with ductile morphology.
Impacts of global change on species distributions: obstacles and solutions to integrate climate and land use
Authors: Sirami Clélia , Caplat Paul , Popy Simon , Clamens Alex , Arlettaz Raphaël , Jiguet Frédéric , Brotons Lluís , Martin Jean‐Louis 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAim The impact of multiple stressors on biodiversity is one of the most pressing questions in ecology and biodiversity conservation. Here we critically assess how often and efficiently two main drivers of global change have been simultaneously integrated into research, with the aim of providing practical solutions for better integration in the future. We focus on the integration of climate change (CC) and land‐use change (LUC) when studying changes in species distributions.Location Global.Methods We analysed the peer‐reviewed literature on the effects of CC and LUC on observed changes in species distributions, i.e. including species range and abundance, between 2000 and 2014.Results Studies integrating CC and LUC remain extremely scarce, which hampers our ability to develop appropriate conservation strategies. The lack of CC–LUC integration is likely to be a result of insufficient recognition of the co‐occurrence of CC and LUC at all scales, covariation and interactions between CC and LUC, as well as correlations between species thermal and habitat requirements. Practical guidelines for the study of these interactive effects include considering multiple drivers and processes when designing studies, using available long‐term datasets on multiple drivers, revisiting single‐driver studies with additional drivers or conducting comparative studies and meta‐analyses. Combining various methodological approaches, including time lags and adaptation processes, represent further avenues to improve global change science.Main conclusions Despite repeated claims for a better integration of multiple drivers, the effects of CC and LUC on species distributions and abundances have been mostly studied in isolation, which calls for a shift of standards towards more integrative global change science. The guidelines proposed here will encourage study designs that account for multiple drivers and improve our understanding of synergies or antagonisms among drivers.
Ketamine Infusions for Treatment Refractory Headache
Authors: Pomeroy Jared L. , Marmura Michael J. , Nahas Stephanie J. , Viscusi Eugene R. 
Published: December 2016

BackgroundManagement of chronic migraine (CM) or new daily persistent headache (NDPH) in those who require aggressive outpatient and inpatient treatment is challenging. Ketamine has been suggested as a new treatment for this intractable population.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of 77 patients who underwent administration of intravenous, subanesthetic ketamine for CM or NDPH. All patients had previously failed aggressive outpatient and inpatient treatments. Records were reviewed for patients treated between January 2006 and December 2014.ResultsThe mean headache pain rating using a 0‐10 pain scale was an average of 7.1 at admission and 3.8 on discharge (P < .0001). The majority (55/77, 71.4%) of patients were classified as acute responders defined as at least 2‐point improvement in headache pain at discharge. Some (15/77, 27.3%) acute responders maintained this benefit at their follow‐up office visit but sustained response did not achieve statistical significance. The mean length of infusion was 4.8 days. Most patients tolerated ketamine well. A number of adverse events were observed, but very few were serious.ConclusionsSubanesthetic ketamine infusions may be beneficial in individuals with CM or NDPH who have failed other aggressive treatments. Controlled trials may confirm this, and further studies may be useful in elucidating more robust benefit in a less refractory patient population.
Combined treatment with dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor (sitagliptin) and angiotensin‐II type 1 receptor blocker (losartan) suppresses progression in a non‐diabetic rat model of steatohepatitis
Authors: Okura Yasushi , Namisaki Tadashi , Moriya Kei , Kitade Mitsuteru , Takeda Kosuke , Kaji Kosuke , Noguchi Ryuichi , Nishimura Norihisa , Seki Kenichiro , Kawaratani Hideto , Takaya Hiroaki , Sato Shinya , Sawada Yasuhiko , Shimozato Naotaka , Furukawa Masanori , Nakanishi Keisuke , Saikawa Soichiro , Kubo Takuya , Asada Kiyoshi , Yoshiji Hitoshi 
Published: December 2016

AimDipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP4) inhibitors (DPP4‐I) are oral glucose‐lowering drugs for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Previously, we reported that DPP4‐I (sitagliptin) exerted suppressive effects on experimental liver fibrosis in rats. Blockade of the renin–angiotensin system by angiotensin‐II type 1 receptor blocker (losartan), commonly used in the management of hypertension, has been shown to significantly alleviate hepatic fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. We aimed to elucidate the effects and possible mechanisms of a sitagliptin + losartan combination on the progression of non‐diabetic non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in a rat model.MethodsTo induce NASH, Fischer 344 rats were fed a choline‐deficient L‐amino acid‐defined diet for 12 weeks. We elucidated the chemopreventive effects of sitagliptin + losartan, especially in conjunction with hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress, all known to play important roles in the progression of NASH.ResultsSitagliptin + losartan suppressed choline‐deficient L‐amino acid‐defined diet‐induced hepatic fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. The combination treatment exerted a greater inhibitory effect than monotherapy. These inhibitory effects occurred almost concurrently with the suppression of HSC activation, neovascularization, and oxidative stress. In vitro studies showed that sitagliptin + losartan inhibited angiotensin II‐induced proliferation and expression of transforming growth factor‐β1 and α1 (I)‐procollagen mRNA of activated HSC and in vitro angiogenesis, in parallel with the suppression observed in in vivo studies.ConclusionsThe widely and safely used sitagliptin + losartan combination treatment in clinical practice could be an effective strategy against NASH.