bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbamylation/citrullination of IgG Fc in bronchiectasis, established RA with bronchiectasis and RA smokers: a potential risk factor for disease
Authors: Hutchinson David , Clarke Alexander , Heesom Kate , Murphy Daniel , Eggleton Paul 
Published: September 2017

Bronchiectasis (BR) and smoking are risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development. The mechanisms by which smoking and BR trigger RA are unknown, but are associated with concurrent rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP) positivity. Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies (anti-CarP) have also been observed in BR patients and can be induced by smoking. Given that RF only has one antigen, immunoglobulin G (IgG) we have suggested that post-translational modifications to the Fc region of the heavy chain of IgG (IgGH) are a potential explanation for the clustering of the RA-associated autoantibodies in RA.Protein analysis was undertaken on 22 individuals. Four of the individuals had a diagnosis of BR at the time of protein analysis and subsequently developed RA up to 18 months following blood sampling. Four smoking RA patients and 4 patients with both BR and RA and 10 healthy controls were also studied.We identified modified arginines (Arg) frequently in the variable region and CH3 domains of IgG in patients and control subjects alike, but only observed carbamylated Lys and/or citrullinated Arg modifications in the RF binding site of the IgG CH2 domain of 5/12 (41.7%) patients investigated (1 BR, 2 RA and 2 BRRA), but in no control subjects (0/10, 0%) p=0.02.This is the first report of citrullination and carbamylation at the RF binding site of IgG in RA. These results point towards the concept of a universal antigen in RA, an antigen that is post-translationally modified at the Fc region of IgGH.
Cell type-specific effects of p27KIP1 loss on retinal development
Authors: Ogawa Mariko , Saitoh Fuminori , Sudou Norihiro , Sato Fumi , Fujieda Hiroki 
Published: September 2017

Abstract

Background
Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors play an important role in regulating cell cycle progression, cell cycle exit and cell differentiation. p27KIP1 (p27), one of the major CDK inhibitors in the retina, has been shown to control the timing of cell cycle exit of retinal progenitors. However, the precise role of this protein in retinal development remains largely unexplored. We thus analyzed p27-deficient mice to characterize the effects of p27 loss on proliferation, differentiation, and survival of retinal cells.

Methods
Expression of p27 in the developing and mature mouse retina was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against p27 and cell type-specific markers. Cell proliferation and differentiation were examined in the wild-type and p27-deficient retinas by immunohistochemistry using various cell cycle and differentiation markers.

Results
All postmitotic retinal cell types expressed p27 in the mouse retinas. p27 loss caused extension of the period of proliferation in the developing retinas. This extra proliferation was mainly due to ectopic cell cycle reentry of differentiating cells including bipolar cells, Müller glial cells and cones, rather than persistent division of progenitors as previously suggested. Aberrant cell cycle activity of cones was followed by cone death resulting in a significant reduction in cone number in the mature p27-deficient retinas.

Conclusions
Although expressed in all retinal cell types, p27 is required to maintain the quiescence of specific cell types including bipolar cells, Müller glia, and cones while it is dispensable for preventing cell cycle reentry in other cell types.
Mechanical properties of sediment determine burrowing success and influence distribution of two lugworm species
Authors: Crane R. L. , Merz R. A. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT
We apply new perspectives on how organisms burrow by examining the association of in situ variation in sediment mechanical properties with burrowing ability and species distribution of two sympatric lugworms, Abarenicola pacifica and Abarenicola claparedi. We quantified the sediment's resistance to penetration and its grain size distribution at sites inhabited by each species. Abarenicola pacifica individuals were found in significantly harder to penetrate, more heterogeneous sediments. We compared worm burrowing ability using reciprocal transplant experiments. Worms from firmer sediments, A. pacifica, were able to make successful steep burrows in sediments characteristic of either species. In contrast, A. claparedi individuals often failed to complete successful burrows in the firmer A. pacifica sediment. To examine how morphological differences could explain these patterns, we compared body wall musculature and measured how well individuals support their own bodies when draped over a cantilever. Lugworms from the firmer sediment had thicker body wall musculature and held their bodies more rigidly than did worms from softer sediments. Additionally, we observed subtle differences in the papillae on the proboscises' surfaces, which could affect worm–sediment interactions, but we found no differences in the chaetae of the two species. Abarenicola claparedi produced more mucus, which could be important in shoring up burrow walls in their shifting, sandy habitat. This study presents the first example of using field-based experiments to determine how sediment mechanical properties and worm burrowing ability could act to determine organismal distribution. Our findings have broader ecological implications because of the role of lugworms as ecosystem engineers.
The first 3D printed multiple sclerosis brain: Towards a 3D era in medicine
Authors: Avasarala Jagannadha , Pietila Todd 
Published: September 2017

Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies depict disease of the human brain in 2D but the reconstruction of a patient’s brain stricken with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 3D using 2D images has not been attempted. Using 3D reconstruction algorithms, we built a 3D printed patient-specific brain model to scale. It is a first of its kind model that depicts the total white matter lesion (WML) load using T2 FLAIR images in an MS patient. The patient images in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format were imported into Mimics inPrint 2.0 (Materialise NV, Leuven, Belgium) a dedicated medical image processing software for the purposes of image segmentation and 3D modeling. The imported axial images were automatically formatted to display coronal and sagittal slices within the software. The imaging study was then segmented into regions and surface rendered to achieve 3D virtual printable files of the desired structures of interest. Rendering brain tumor(s) in 3D has been attempted with the specific intent of extending the options available to a surgeon but no study to our knowledge has attempted to quantify brain disease in MS that has, for all practical purposes, no surgical options.
The type specimen of Nilssoniopteris solitaria (Phillips 1829) (Bennettitales)
Authors: Pott Christian , Van Konijnenburg-Van Cittert Johanna H.A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe identified and located the type specimen ofScolopendrium solitarium, which is the basionym to what for decades was commonly referred to as “Nilssoniopteris vittata” and is now known asNilssoniopteris solitaria(Phillips) Cleal et P.M.Rees. As Cleal and Rees (2003) never located and studied the type specimen ofScolopendrium solitariumand simply trusted Harris (1969), who includedScolopendrium solitariumin the synonymy ofNilssoniopteris vittata, it remained to be shown that this specimen indeed has bennettitalean affinities. Here we provide results of a cuticular analysis of the material and confirm the bennettitalean nature ofScolopendrium solitarium, and consequently that its placement inNilssoniopteris solitariais valid.Nilssoniopteris solitariais, as a senior synonym ofNilssoniopteris tenuinervis, the type species ofNilssoniopteris. The name “Nilssoniopteris vittata” should no longer be used because it was based onTaeniopteris vittata, which is the conserved type ofTaeniopteris, a genus in which taeniopterid fossils are placed if epidermal anatomy is unknown. Specimens identified as this species but yielding a bennettitalean cuticle should be referred to asNilssoniopteris solitaria.
Effects of Different Dietary Levels of Whey Lactose as a Prebiotic Disaccharide on the Productive Performances and Selected Indices of the Caecal Micro-Environment in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Alloui Mohamed Nabil , Szczurek Witold 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of three dietary levels of lactose (LAC) originating from conventional dried whey (DW) and the duration of these treatments (from 8 to 21 or to 42 days of age) on growth performance, basic post-slaughter traits and excreta quality of broiler chickens kept in cages. A secondary purpose was to investigate the effect of LAC level on some parameters of the caecal micro-environment and gross morphology in these birds. A total of 560 Ross 308 chickens (sex ratio 1:1) were assigned to 7 dietary combinations with 10 replicate cages of 8 birds per cage. The control group was fed basal diets consisting of maize, wheat and soybean meal. The other 6 groups received the same basal diets with DW added in amounts equivalent to a LAC dietary levels of 1, 2 or 3%. Only continuous feeding (day 8 to 42) with 1% and 2% levels of LAC was found to yield the overall body weight gain (BWG) during the whole 42-day rearing period, which was significantly higher than that on the control diet, with a larger share of breast meat in carcass at a 2% LAC. However, these effects were associated with greater faecal score values indicating more watery excreta compared with the control. Increasing levels of LAC augmented the relative caecal weight and length. A reduction in the caecal pH was confirmed at day 21 for birds fed 1% and 2% of dietary LAC. The lower pH values were correlated to an increased sum of total volatile fatty acids (VFA), causing large increases in the concentration of undissociated forms of individual VFA. The decline in plate counts of coliform bacteria was observed with 2% and 3% LAC, whereas the counts of lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) were higher at these two LAC levels. The present findings lead to the conclusion that the dietary level of 2% LAC originated from DW is the most effective in enhancing the productivity of broilers, with moderate occurrence of undesirable side effects.
Irrelevance of the Strategic Variable in the Case of Relative Performance Maximization
Authors: Philipowski Robert 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe study games with two possibilities for the strategic variable and find that contrary to the Nash equilibrium the evolutionarily stable equilibrium – provided it uniquely exists – does not depend on which possibility is chosen. Our result generalizes recent findings of Satoh, Tanaka and Wagener who studied this issue in various special cases.
Species delimitation and relationship in Crocus L. (Iridaceae)
Authors: Sheidai Masoud , Tabasi Melica , Mehrabian Mohammad-Reza , Koohdar Fahimeh , Ghasemzadeh-Baraki Somayeh , Noormohammadi Zahra 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe genusCrocusL. (Iridaceae) is monophyletic and contains about 100 species throughout the world.Crocusspecies have horticultural, medicinal and pharmacological importance. Saffron is the dried styles ofC. sativusand is one of the world’s most expensive spices by weight. Controversy exits about the taxonomy of the genus and the species relationship. Exploring genetic diversity and inter-specific cross-ability are important tasks for conservation of wild taxa and for breeding of cultivatedC. sativus. The present study was performed to study genetic variability and population structure in fiveCrocusL. species includingCrocus almehensisBrickell & Mathew,C. caspiusFischer & Meyer,C. speciosusMarschall von Biberstein,C. haussknechtiiBoissier, andC. sativusL. by inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers. We also used published internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences to study species relationship and compare the results with ISSR data. The results revealed a high degree of genetic variability both within and among the studied species. Neighbor joining (NJ) tree and network analysis revealed that ISSR markers are useful inCrocusspecies delimitation. Population fragmentation occurred inC. caspiusandC. sativus. Both ISSR and sequenced based analyses separatedC. sativusfrom the other studied species. Close genetic affinity ofC. sativusandC. pallisiiand inter-specific gene flow was supported by both data sets.
Erigeron acris L. subsp. angulosus (Gaudin) Vacc. (Asteraceae), a new taxon in the flora of Poland
Authors: Pliszko Artur 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe paper reports for the first time the occurrence ofErigeron acrissubsp.angulosusin Poland. This rare European temperate plant was found in August 2014 in a former sand and gravel quarry, close to the Sobolewo reservoir in the town of Suwałki, north-eastern Poland. Species composition of the habitat is characterized by a phytosociological relevé based on the Braun-Blanquet method, diagnostic characters in comparison to the morphologically similarE.acrissubsp.droebachiensisare presented using scanning electron microscopy imaging, and an identification key forE.acriss. l. in Poland is given.
The interactive effects of various nitrogen fertiliser formulations applied to urine patches on nitrous oxide emissions in grassland
Authors: Krol D.J. , Minet E. , Forrestal P.J. , Lanigan G.J. , Mathieu O. , Richards K.G. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPasture-based livestock agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) nitrous oxide (N2O). Although a body of research is available on the effect of urine patch N or fertiliser N on N2O emissions, limited data is available on the effect of fertiliser N applied to patches of urinary N, which can cover up to a fifth of the yearly grazed area. This study investigated whether the sum of N2O emissions from urine and a range of N fertilisers, calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) or urea ± urease inhibitor ± nitrification inhibitor, applied alone (disaggregated and re-aggregated) approximated the N2O emission of urine and fertiliser N applied together (aggregated). Application of fertiliser to urine patches did not significantly increase either the cumulative yearly N2O emissions or the N2O emission factor in comparison to urine and fertiliser applied separately with the emissions re-aggregated. However, there was a consistent trend for approximately 20% underestimation of N2O loss generated from fertiliser and urine applied separately when compared to figures generated when urine and fertiliser were applied together. N2O emission factors from fertilisers were 0.02%, 0.06%, 0.17% and 0.25% from urea ± dicyandiamide (DCD), urea + N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) + DCD, urea + NBPT and urea, respectively, while the emission factor for urine alone was 0.33%. Calcium ammonium nitrate and urea did not interact differently with urine even when the urea included DCD. N2O losses could be reduced by switching from CAN to urea-based fertilisers.
Assessment of water-limited winter wheat yield potential at spatially contrasting sites in Ireland using a simple growth and development model
Authors: Lynch J.P. , Fealy R. , Doyle D. , Black L. , Spink J. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAlthough Irish winter wheat yields are among the highest globally, increases in the profitability of this crop are required to maintain its economic viability. However, in order to determine if efforts to further increase Irish wheat yields are likely to be successful, an accurate estimation of the yield potential is required for different regions within Ireland. A winter wheat yield potential model (WWYPM) was developed, which estimates the maximum water-limited yield achievable, within the confines of current genetic resources and technologies, using parameters for winter wheat growth and development observed recently in Ireland and a minor amount of daily meteorological input (maximum and minimum daily temperature, total daily rainfall and total daily incident radiation). The WWYPM is composed of three processes: (i) an estimation of potential green area index, (ii) an estimation of light interception and biomass accumulation and (iii) an estimation of biomass partitioning to grain yield. Model validation indicated that WWYPM estimations of water-limited yield potential (YPw) were significantly related to maximum yields recorded in variety evaluation trials as well as regional average and maximum farm yields, reflecting the model’s sensitivity to alterations in the climatic environment with spatial and seasonal variations. Simulations of YPw for long-term average weather data at 12 sites located at spatially contrasting regions of Ireland indicated that the typical YPw varied between 15.6 and 17.9 t/ha, with a mean of 16.7 t/ha at 15% moisture content. These results indicate that the majority of sites in Ireland have the potential to grow high-yielding crops of winter wheat when the effects of very high rainfall and other stresses such as disease incidence and nutrient deficits are not considered.
Analytical strategy for determination of chloramphenicol in different biological matrices by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry
Authors: Śniegocki Tomasz , Gbylik-Sikorska Małgorzata , Posyniak Andrzej 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Introduction: The main problem in determination of chloramphenicol in food of animal origin is a large number of matrices. The main target of this study was to create a method for determination and confirmation of chloramphenicol in products and food of animal origin. Material and Methods: Each 5 g matrix sample was mixed with 5 mL of water and 10 mL of acetonitrile/ethyl acetate, homogenised, and centrifuged. The organic layer was evaporated and redissolved in 6 mL of 4% NaCl. The extract was cleaned up by SPE technique. Chloramphenicol was analysed by LC-MS/MS in electrospray mode. Results: The procedure was validated according to the Commission Decision No. 2002/657/EC. The apparent recoveries were in the range of 92.1% to 107.1% with a repeatability less than 11.0% (4.4%-11.0%) and within-laboratory reproducibility below 13.6% (4.7%-13.6%). Conclusion: The method was successfully validated and proved to be efficient, precise, and useful for quantification of chloramphenicol in more than 20 different matrices.
Application of two staining methods for sperm morphometric evaluation in domestic pigs
Authors: Kondracki Stanisław , Wysokińska Anna , Kania Magdalena , Górski Krzysztof 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Introduction: The effect of two smear staining methods on the dimensions and shape of sperm cells in the semen of domestic pigs was evaluated. Material and Methods: The studies were carried out on 30 ejaculates collected from 15 boars, which included five Duroc boars, five Pietrain boars, and five hybrid Duroc × Pietrain boars. Each ejaculate was next sampled to make two microscopic slides, of which one was stained with eosin-nigrosin and the other with eosin-gentian dye. In total, 600 measurements of sperm cells were made. Each sperm was measured for the following morphometric parameters: head length, head width, head area, head perimeter, tail length, and the total sperm length. Results: Sperms measured on slides stained with eosin-nigrosin showed lower dimensions as compared with those stained with the eosin-gentian dye method. Sperm stained with eosin-nigrosin had shorter and narrower heads than sperm stained with eosin-gentian dye. The method of staining, therefore, affected not only the dimensions of the sperm, but also the proportions of the dimensions defining the shape of the sperm. Conclusions: The size and shape parameters in porcine sperm may take on different values depending on the method of semen staining. Sperm cells stained with eosin-nigrosin are smaller than the sperm stained with eosin-gentian dye. The sensitivity of the sperm to the type of dye used for the fixation may be associated with genetic factors.
Correlation between endoscopic and histopathological findings in dogs with chronic gastritis
Authors: Çolakoğlu Ekrem Ç. , Börkü Kazım , Haydardedeoğlu Ali E. , Alihosseini Hadi , Şenel Oytun O. , Yumuşak Nihat , Özen Doğukan , Baş Bülent , Uğurlu Levent 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Introduction: Chronic gastritis is a common diagnosis in dogs with signs of chronic vomiting. However, there is no data concerning endoscopic and histopathological agreement in dogs with chronic gastritis. Thus, a question should be raised whether taking gastroduodenal biopsies in dogs with chronic gastritis is necessary or not. Consequently, the purpose of the study was to compare the endoscopic and histopathological agreement in dogs with chronic gastritis. Material and Methods: A total of 22 non-pregnant client-owned dogs with the signs of chronic gastritis were enrolled in this prospective study. Procedures including clinical examination, blood analysis, and diagnostic imaging were performed before anaesthesia. Biopsies obtained from gastroduodenal sites were histopathologically evaluated. A total of 110 gastroduodenal samples were examined. Results: Sixtyeight samples had abnormal histopathology and endoscopy while 11 showed normal histopathological and endoscopic evidence. Conclusion: The obtained data demonstrated that it is not necessary to take extra gastroduodenal biopsies in dogs with evidence of endoscopic gastroduodenitis. We also believe that further prospective studies, including cost and time effectiveness and more specific comparison between endoscopic appearance and histopathology, are necessary to make final recommendations regarding the need of using both procedures for definitive diagnosis.
Assessing forty years of language planning on the vitality of the Francophone and Anglophone communities of Quebec
Authors: Bourhis Richard Y. , Sioufi Rana 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis article analyses how language laws favouring French improved the vitality of the Francophone majority relative to the declining Anglophone minority of Quebec. Part one provides a review of Canadian Government efforts to provide federal bilingual services to Francophones and Anglophones across Canada. Using the ethnolinguistic vitality framework, part two reviews key language policies adopted in Quebec designed to increase the status of French relative to English in the province, while part 3 assesses the impact of such laws on the demographic vitality of Francophones and Anglophones. Part 4 analyse how such laws succeeded in reducing the institutional vitality of the Anglophone minority especially their English schools. Pro-French laws did succeed in having 95 % of the Quebec population maintain knowledge of French, keeping 82 % of all its citizens as users of French at home, ensured that 90 % of Francophone employees used French at work, increased to 70 % French/English bilingualism amongst Anglophones and reduced the size of their English school system by 60 %. Nationalist discourse highlights threats to French, given that Quebec Francophones remain a linguistic minority in North America. Can Francophones accept a ‘paradigm shift’ by reframing their position from a