bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crop production structure and stability under climate change in South America
Authors: Ferrero R. , Lima M. , Gonzalez‐Andujar J.L. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSouthern South America is expected to play an increasingly important role in global food production, but climate change could seriously threaten it. Here we have analysed long‐term historical data for major crops (rice, oats, barley, sunflower, soybean, sorghum, wheat, maize) at subnational scale to (a) look for common features among crop yield dynamics, evaluating their structure and implications for the persistence of that crop; (b) address complex crop responses to changes in environmental growing conditions; and (c) identify climate impact hotspots that are crucial for adaptation and mitigation. We have proposed a novel methodological approach based on dynamics systems in order to understand the processes behind annual crop yield fluctuations. We report the results of general patterns in the internal process (biophysical adjustments by rapid negative feedbacks) regulating crop production and analyse how it influences crop persistence and yield ceilings. The structure of a crop yield dynamic system defines its behaviour, but climate variations could displace it from yield equilibrium and affect its stability. Our findings suggest that weather conditions have a stronger impact on yield growth at high rather than at low yield levels (non‐additive impacts). This allows agriculture management to be refined and applied more efficiently, weakening the relationship between crop productivity and climate change and predicting the response of crop production to yield‐improvement strategies. We have identified those crops and regions which are most vulnerable to the current climate change trends in southern South American agroecosystems. Our results allow us to point to new ways to enhance self‐regulatory success, maximising the efficiency of crop production and reducing climate impacts. We have discussed important implications for crop management and climate change mitigation in an area where agriculture plays a key role in its socioeconomic and ecologic dimensions.
The adequate rocuronium dose required for complete block of the adductor muscles of the thigh
Authors: Fujimoto M. , Kawano K. , Yamamoto T. 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundRocuronium can prevent the obturator jerk during transurethral resection of bladder tumors. We investigated the adequate rocuronium dose required for complete block of the thigh adductor muscles, and its correlation with individual responses of the adductor pollicis muscle to rocuronium.MethodsEleven patients scheduled for transurethral resection of bladder tumors under general anesthesia were investigated. After general anesthesia induction, neuromuscular monitoring of the adductor pollicis muscle and ultrasonography‐guided stimulation of the obturator nerve was commenced. Rocuronium, 0.15 mg/kg, was repeatedly administered intravenously. The adequate rocuronium dose required for complete block of the thigh muscles, defined as the cumulative dose of rocuronium administered until that time, and its correlation with the first twitch response of the adductor pollicis muscle on train‐of‐four stimulation after initial rocuronium administration was analyzed.ResultsThe rocuronium dose found adequate for complete block of the thigh muscles was 0.30 mg/kg in seven patients and 0.45 mg/kg in the remaining four patients, which did not correlate with the first twitch response. At the time of complete block of the thigh muscles, the neuromuscular blockade level of the adductor pollicis muscle varied greatly, although the level was never more profound than a post‐tetanic count of 1.ConclusionAlthough the response of the adductor pollicis muscle to rocuronium cannot be used to determine the adequate rocuronium dose required for complete block of the thigh muscles, intense blockade, with maintenance of post‐tetanic count at ≤ 1 in the adductor pollicis muscle is essential to prevent the obturator jerk.
Choice of acquisition form in Australia and the post‐takeover employment of target firm directors on the acquiring firm board
Authors: Bugeja Martin , da Silva Rosa Raymond , Izan H Y , Ngan Susan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn Australia, a corporate acquisition can be structured as either a scheme of arrangement or a takeover. We investigate the association between deal structure and the retention of target directors on the merged entity board. We find that the odds of a target director subsequently sitting on the merged entity's board are significantly higher in schemes. The results also show that premiums are lower in schemes of arrangement when additional target directors are appointed to the board of the acquiring firm. The findings indicate that target director appointment is unrelated to the merged entity's post‐acquisition performance.
Increased plasma oleoylethanolamide and palmitoleoylethanolamide levels correlate with inflammatory changes in alcohol binge drinkers: the case of HMGB1 in women
Authors: Antón María , Rodríguez‐González Alicia , Rodríguez‐Rojo Inmaculada Concepción , Pastor Antoni , Correas Ángeles , Serrano Antonia , Ballesta Antonio , Alén Francisco , Gómez de Heras Raquel , de la Torre Rafael , Rodríguez de Fonseca Fernando , Orio Laura 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAlcohol binge drinking is a heavy pattern of alcohol consumption increasingly used by young people. In a previous study, we reported that young drinkers with a 2‐year history of binge alcohol consumption had an overactivation of the innate immune system and peripheral inflammation when compared with controls. In the present study, we measured several biolipids that are fatty acid derivatives belonging to the acylethanolamide or 2‐acylglycerol families in the plasma of the same subjects (n = 42; 20 men and 22 women). We found that during abstinence, alcohol binge drinkers had elevated plasma levels of oleoylethanolamide, palmitoleoylethanolamide, arachidonoylethanolamide, dihomo‐γ‐linolenoyl ethanolamide and linoleoyl ethanolamide, which positively correlated with changes in the mRNA expression of key inflammatory markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, such as toll‐like receptors (TLR4), pro‐inflammatory cytokines/chemokines interleukin‐1 beta, interleukin‐6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, and cyclooxygenase‐2. Additionally, plasma oleoylethanolamide positively correlated with plasma levels of high mobility group box‐1, which is a danger‐associated molecular pattern and an endogenous TLR4 agonist, specifically in female alcohol binge drinkers. No changes were observed in 2‐acylglycerols in alcohol binge drinkers, although sex‐related differences in these bioactive lipids as well as in palmitoleoylethanolamide and docosatetraenoylethanolamide levels were detected. These results extend the previous clinical findings observed in patients diagnosed with long‐term alcohol use disorder to young users and suggest a prominent role for these lipids in the response to acute alcohol exposure.
Genetic variants in IL15 promoter affect transcription activity and intramuscular fat deposition in longissimus dorsi muscle of pigs
Authors: He D. , Jiang Z. , Tian Y. , Han H. , Xia M. , Wei W. , Zhang L. , Chen J. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryIntramuscular fat (IMF) content is a key aspect of pork quality. Elucidation of intramuscular adipocyte regulation mechanisms is important for improving IMF content. Intramuscular adipocytes are dispersed among muscle fibers, so they are inclined to be affected by muscle‐derived factors. Interleukin‐15 is a major muscle‐secreted factor. In this study, the genetic and physiological impacts of IL15 on adipogenesis is investigated. The promoter region of IL15 was scanned by comparative sequencing using two DNA pools of high‐ and low‐IMF individuals. Two SNPs, c.–342C>T (ss2137497757) and c.–334G>A (ss2137497756) (the translation start site is designated as +1), were identified with reverse allele distribution in these two groups. Genotyping by allele‐specific PCR revealed that the two SNPs were completely linked. The IMF content of TA/TA individuals was lower than that for CG/CG ones, whereas the IL15 expression level was higher in T‐A/T‐A individuals. Luciferase assaying also revealed that the T‐A haplotype promoter had higher transcription activity. Meanwhile, the effect of interleukin‐15 on adipocyte differentiation was further assessed in vitro. Results showed that interleukin‐15 suppressed preadipocyte proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner. The cell cycle of preadipocytes was arrested, and apoptosis was induced. Oil Red O staining and triglyceride quantification indicated that adipocyte differentiation was also inhibited by interleukin‐15. The mRNA levels of PPARG and FABP4 decreased markably upon interleukin‐15 treatment. Taken together, we identified two completely linked SNPs in the porcine IL15 promoter region that could alter IL15 transcription activity. As interleukin‐15 can inhibit porcine adipocyte differentiation, these promoter mutations could affect IMF deposition by producing differential levels of muscle‐derived interleukin‐15.
Seasonal patterns of habitat selection in the insectivorous bat‐eared fox
Authors: Périquet Stéphanie , le Roux Aliza 
Published: November 2017

AbstractUnderstanding how animals utilize their habitat provides insights about their ecological needs and is of importance for both theoretical and applied ecology. As changing seasons impact prey habitat selection and vegetation itself, it is important to understand how seasonality impacts microhabitat choice in optimal foragers and their prey. We followed habituated bat‐eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis) in the Kalahari, South Africa, to study their seasonal habitat selection patterns and relate them to the habitat preferences of their main prey, termites (Hodotermes mossambicus). We used Resource Selection Functions (RSFs) to study bat‐eared foxes’ 3rd‐ and 4th‐order habitat selection by comparing used locations to random ones within their home ranges. Third‐order habitat selection for habitat type and composition was weak and varied little between seasons. We found that patterns of fox habitat selection did not mirror habitat selection of Hodotermes (quantified using RSFs), even when feeding on them (4th‐order). Taken together, these results might indicate that bat‐eared foxes’ food resources are homogenously distributed across habitats and that prey other than Hodotermes play an important role in bat‐eared foxes’ space use.
Specific immunotherapy in local allergic rhinitis: A randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial with Phleum pratense subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy
Authors: Rondón C. , Blanca‐López N. , Campo P. , Mayorga C. , Jurado‐Escobar R. , Torres M. J. , Canto G. , Blanca M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundAllergen immunotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for local allergic rhinitis (LAR) to house dust mites. Studies with pollen allergen immunotherapy are limited to observational studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Phleum pratense subcutaneous immunotherapy (Phl‐SCIT) in LAR.MethodsIn a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled study, 56 patients with moderate‐severe LAR to grass pollen received Phl‐SCIT with a depigmented polymerized pollen vaccine or placebo for the first year, and Phl‐SCIT the second one. The blind was maintained throughout the study. Primary outcome was combined symptom medication score (CSMS) during grass pollen season (GPS). Secondary clinical outcomes included organ‐specific symptoms, medication‐free days, rhinitis severity and asthma control. Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), nasal allergen provocation test (NAPT), skin testing, serum levels of specific IgG4 and specific IgE and safety were also evaluated.ResultsSubcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) had a short‐term and sustained effect with significant improvements of all primary and secondary clinical outcomes and RQLQ score. SCIT significantly increased serum sIgG4 levels and allergen tolerance, from the 6th to 24th months of treatment. At the end of the study, 83% of patients treated with ≥6 months of SCIT tolerated a concentration of P. pratense over 50 times higher than baseline, and 56% gave a negative NAPT. SCIT was well tolerated; six mild local reactions occurred, and there were no serious adverse events related to the study medication.ConclusionsSubcutaneous immunotherapy with depigmented polymerized allergen extracts is a safe and clinically effective treatment for LAR to P. pratense.
Is theFSHR2039A>G variant associated with susceptibility to testicular germ cell cancer?
Authors: Bang A. K. , Busch A. S. , Almstrup K. , Gromoll J. , Kliesch S. , Rajpert‐De Meyts E. , Skakkebæk N. E. , Juul A. , Tüttelmann F. , Jørgensen N. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTesticular germ cell cancer (TGCC) is derived from germ cell neoplasiain situ(GCNIS), which arises due to niche disturbances affecting the Sertoli cells. It is believed that exogenous endocrine factors have a crucial role in governing neoplastic transformation but on a strong hereditary background. Follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) is the major regulatory hormone of the Sertoli cells.FSHsignalling‐related single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have previously been shown to affectFSHaction in men at different levels. We aimed to investigate whether threeFSH‐relatedSNPs (FSHR2039A>G,FSHR‐29G>A andFSHB‐211G>T) are associated with development ofTGCC. A total of 752 Danish and German patients withTGCCfrom two tertiary andrological referral centres were included. Three control groups comprising 2020 men from the general population, 679 fertile men and 417 infertile men, were also included. Chi‐squared test was performed to compare genotype‐ and allele frequencies. Kruskal–Wallis test was performed to compare age at diagnosis. Patients withTGCChad a higher frequency of the A‐allele ofFSHR2039A>G compared to the group of fertile men with anAA‐genotype frequency of 30.2% vs. 22.0%, respectively,p = 0.002. This variant is associated with higherFSHreceptor activity. The distribution of theFSHR2039A>G did not differ significantly between the patients withTGCCand the infertile or the general population. The frequency of the two otherSNPs did not differ between patient withTGCCand any of the control groups. No differences were detected between genotypes and age distribution or histological subtype of the tumours. In conclusion, we observed that a genetic variant associated withFSHRactivity may modulate the susceptibility to TGCC.
Work in Britain's Informal Economy: Learning from Road‐Side Hand Car Washes
Authors: Clark Ian , Colling Trevor 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe United Kingdom has over 10,000 hand car washes (HCWs). This article examines two research questions: what do HCWs reveal about the informalization of employment? and what is the prospect of regulation of them? Setting HCWs in a theoretical framework shows that they are part of a growing industry which is becoming an increasingly familiar and visible part of the economy, where control of labour costs is a key factor. Employers make a strategic choice to engage precarious and vulnerable, usually migrant, labour securing further competitive advantage at the cost of pronounced labour exploitation and long hours — the tendency towards informalization. Therein a low‐cost business model disciplines competition to usurp higher productivity mechanized car washing.
Extra‐Institutional Changes under Pressure from Posting
Authors: Arnholtz Jens , Andersen Søren Kaj 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe posting of workers has become a key topic in debates about how national labour relations respond to pressures from EU market making. While most prior studies have shown that national employment relations are under pressure from above (via EU regulation) and from below (due to increasing use of posting), the question is whether these pressures will lead to erosion of employment relations or adaptation at the national level. Taking the case of posting in the Danish construction sector, the article shows that, while formal institutions stay the same through minor adaptation, the increasing use of posting has led to changes in the strategies of the social partners, shifts in predominant policy arenas and the appearance of new actors on the regulatory scene. As such, we argue that conflicts regarding posting are driving a process of extra‐institutional change.
Intergenerational effects of nutrition on immunity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Grueber Catherine E. , Gray Lindsey J. , Morris Katrina M. , Simpson Stephen J. , Senior Alistair M. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTDiet and immunity are both highly complex processes through which organisms interact with their environment and adapt to variable conditions. Parents that are able to transmit information to their offspring about prevailing environmental conditions have a selective advantage by ‘priming’ the physiology of their offspring. We used a meta‐analytic approach to test the effect of parental diet on offspring immune responses. Using the geometric framework for nutrition (a method for analysing diet compositions wherein food nutrient components are expressed as axes in a Cartesian coordinate space) to define dietary manipulations in terms of their energy and macronutrient compositions, we compiled the results of 226 experiments from 38 published papers on the intergenerational effects of diet on immunity, across a range of study species and immunological responses. We observed intergenerational impacts of parental nutrition on a number of offspring immunological processes, including expression of pro‐inflammatory biomarkers as well as decreases in anti‐inflammatory markers in response to certain parental diets. For example, across our data set as a whole (encompassing several types of dietary manipulation), dietary stress in parents was seen to significantly increase pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels measured in offspring (overall d = 0.575). All studies included in our analysis were from experiments in which the offspring were raised on a normal or control diet, so our findings suggest that a nutrition‐dependent immune state can be inherited, and that this immune state is maintained in the short term, despite offspring returning to an ‘optimal’ diet. We demonstrate how the geometric framework for nutrition can be used to disentangle the role that different forms of dietary manipulation can have on intergenerational immunity. For example, offspring B‐cell responses were significantly decreased when parents were raised on a range of different diets. Similarly, our approach allowed us to show that a parental diet elevated in protein (regardless of energy composition and relative to a control diet) can increase expression of inflammatory markers while decreasing B‐cell‐associated markers. By conducting a systematic review of the literature, we have identified important gaps that impair our understanding of the intergenerational effects of diet, such as a paucity of experimental studies involving increased protein and decreased energy, and a lack of studies directed at the whole‐organism consequences of these processes, such as immune resilience to infection. The results of our analyses inform our understanding of the effects of diet on physiological state across diverse biological fields, including biomedical sciences, maintenance of agricultural breed stock and conservation breeding programs, among others.
PRIMA‐1 induces p53‐mediated apoptosis by upregulating Noxa in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with TP53 missense mutation
Authors: Furukawa Haruna , Makino Tomoki , Yamasaki Makoto , Tanaka Koji , Miyazaki Yasuhiro , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Kurokawa Yukinori , Nakajima Kiyokazu , Takiguchi Shuji , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro 
Published: November 2017

TP53 is associated with the resistance of cytotoxic treatment and patient prognosis, and the mutation rate of TP53 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is extraordinarily high, at over 90%. PRIMA‐1 (p53 re‐activation and induction of massive apoptosis) has recently been reported to restore the function of mutant TP53; however, its antitumor effect and mechanism in ESCC remain unclear. After evaluating the TP53 mutation status of a panel of 11 ESCC cell lines by Sanger sequencing, we assessed the in vitro effect of PRIMA‐1 administration on cells with different TP53 status by conducting cell viability and apoptosis assays. The expression levels of proteins in p53‐related pathways were examined by Western blotting, while knockdown studies were conducted to investigate the mechanism underlying PRIMA‐1's function. An ESCC xenograft model was further used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of PRIMA‐1 in vivo. PRIMA‐1 markedly inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis by upregulating Noxa expression in ESCC cell lines with TP53 missense mutations, whereas no apoptosis was induced in ESCC with wild‐type TP53 and TP53 with frameshift and nonsense mutations. Importantly, the knockdown of Noxa canceled the apoptosis induced by PRIMA treatment in ESCC cell lines with TP53 missense mutations. PRIMA‐1 administration, compared with placebo, showed a significant antitumor effect by inducing Noxa in the xenograft model of an ESCC cell line with a TP53 missense mutation. PRIMA‐1 exhibits a significant antitumor effect, inducing massive apoptosis through the upregulation of Noxa in ESCC with TP53 missense mutations.
Implications of WHO Guideline on Sugars for dental health professionals
Authors: Moynihan Paula , Makino Yuka , Petersen Poul Erik , Ogawa Hiroshi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe burden of oral disease is high in populations across the world. This is because of high consumption of free sugars. The WHO Guideline on Sugars Intake for Adults and Children recommended limiting free sugars to no more than 5% energy intake to protect oral health throughout the life‐course. The objectives of this paper are to consider the implications of the Guideline for dental health practice and to advocate use of the common risk factor approach when providing dietary advice. As part of a broad range of actions needed to reduce free sugars intake, improved education for dental health professionals and supporting patients to eat less free sugars are key actions for the dental profession. All dental health professionals should have the skills and confidence to provide their patients with healthier eating advice, including how to limit free sugars intake. It is therefore important that dental health professionals receive adequate education in diet and nutrition, and there is a need for dental educational regulating bodies to define the content of the dental curriculum with respect to nutrition. All patients, or their parents or carers, should receive dietary advice to reduce free sugars within the context of a healthy diet for the prevention of all NCDs. Dietary advice should: (i) focus on reducing the amount of free sugars consumed; (ii) be tailored according to the patient's body mass status (eg underweight, overweight, normal weight); (iii) encourage the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and wholegrain starch‐rich foods; (iv) discourage the consumption of foods high in saturated fat and salt; and (v) discourage the consumption of all drinks containing free sugars. The dental health professional has an opportunity to support patients to reduce their intake of free sugars—such advice and support will have positive impacts beyond the mouth.