bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behaviour in Atlantic salmon confers protection against an ectoparasite
Authors: Bui S. , Oppedal F. , Samsing F. , Dempster T. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAltered behaviour is believed to be the first form of defence against parasite infection, through reducing opportunity for infection or deflecting parasites to sub‐optimal sites on hosts. To determine whether the suite of behaviours fish exhibit deter or deflect infection, we tested for differences in salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infection level and attachment location on three groups of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) that were either normal, behaviourally modified via injection of ketamine hydrochloride or sham‐injected procedural controls. The frequency of behaviours differed between behaviourally modified and normal hosts, which resulted in 26–31% fewer lice in normal fish. Louse attachment locations were unaffected by behaviour. Jumping and motionless behaviours were more common and the frequency of burst swimming behaviour was reduced in non‐manipulated fish, suggesting that these behaviours restrict parasite attachment success. Our results show that the suite of fine‐scale behaviours that normal salmon display at the time of parasite encounter are associated with reduced infestation.
Persistence of Australia's most threatened snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides) in Australia's oldest National Park
Authors: Goldingay R. L. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractEvaluating the ecological effectiveness of protected areas is fundamental to understanding their value as a conservation tool. Investigating whether protected areas can retain highly threatened species should provide a rigorous test of their effectiveness. I used occupancy modelling to investigate population stability of a threatened venomous snake over a 16‐year period in the 135‐year‐old Royal National Park in Australia. I predicted that if the broad‐headed snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides) was in decline then the probability of occupancy should decline over time and the age structure of the population should shift due to the species' slow life history traits. The occupancy‐based finite rate of increase remained just above 1.0 throughout the study, and the age structure remained unchanged, suggesting population stability. Modelling provided some support for hypotheses that distance to roads and walking trails influenced the probability of site extinction, while the number of occupied adjoining sites increased the probability of site colonization. There was no influence on site occupancy of a wildfire that occurred 4 years into the study. My findings suggest protection of habitat at specific locations may be sufficient to conserve this species but further population monitoring should occur to confirm this. My study shows that protected areas with high public visitation can play an important role in biodiversity conservation.
Incidence, determinants and outcomes of pregnancy‐associated hepatitis B flares: A regional hospital‐based cohort study
Authors: Kushner Tatyana , Shaw Pamela A. , Kalra Ankush , Magaldi Lora , Monpara Pooja , Bedi Gurneet , Krok Karen , Centkowski Sierra , Dalldorf Katherine , D'souza Julia , Halegoua‐De Marzio Dina , Goldberg David S. , Trooskin Stacey , Levine Lisa D. , Srinivas Sindhu K. , Lewis James D. , Forde Kimberly A. , Lo Re Vincent 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackground & AimsThere is limited knowledge about hepatitis B virus (HBV) flare among pregnant women. We evaluated the incidence, determinants and outcomes ofHBVflare in a multicultural cohort of pregnantHBV‐infected women in the United States.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of pregnant hepatitis B surface antigen‐positive women cared for at hospital‐based clinics of 4 medical centres in Southeastern Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2015. The main outcome was incidentHBVflare (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] ≥2 times upper limit of normal) during pregnancy or within 6 months after delivery. Among patients with flare, we determined development of jaundice (total bilirubin ≥2.5 mg/dL) and hepatic decompensation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) ofHBVflare for risk factors of interest, including timing of flare (during pregnancy versus post‐delivery), nulliparity, younger age,HBVe antigen (HBeAg) status, and lack of anti‐HBVtherapy.ResultsAmong 310 pregnant predominantly AfricanHBV‐infected women with 388 pregnancies, the incidence ofHBVflare was 14% (95%CI, 10‐18%) during pregnancy and 16% (95%CI, 11‐24%) post‐delivery. Jaundice developed in 12% and hepatic decompensation in 2%. PositiveHBeAg was associated withHBVflare (OR, 2.55; 95%CI, 1.04‐6.20).HBV DNAwas measured in 55% of patients, and only 50% were referred forHBVspecialty care.ConclusionsPregnancy‐associated hepatitis B flare occurred in 14% during pregnancy and 16% post‐delivery and rarely led to hepatic decompensation. PositiveHBeAg was the main risk factor identified. Women did not have adequateHBVmonitoring or follow‐up during pregnancy.
Identification of bottlenecks in the accumulation of cyclic fatty acids in camelina seed oil
Authors: Yu Xiao‐Hong , Cahoon Rebecca E. , Horn Patrick J. , Shi Hai , Prakash Richa R. , Cai Yuanheng , Hearney Maegan , Chapman Kent D. , Cahoon Edgar B. , Schwender Jorg , Shanklin John 
Published: September 2017

SummaryModified fatty acids (mFA) have diverse uses; for example, cyclopropane fatty acids (CPA) are feedstocks for producing coatings, lubricants, plastics and cosmetics. The expression of mFA‐producing enzymes in crop and model plants generally results in lower levels of mFA accumulation than in their natural‐occurring source plants. Thus, to further our understanding of metabolic bottlenecks that limit mFA accumulation, we generated transgenic Camelina sativa lines co‐expressing Escherichia coli cyclopropane synthase (EcCPS) and Sterculia foetida lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (SfLPAT). In contrast to transgenic CPA‐accumulating Arabidopsis, CPA accumulation in camelina caused only minor changes in seed weight, germination rate, oil accumulation and seedling development. CPA accumulated to much higher levels in membrane than storage lipids, comprising more than 60% of total fatty acid in both phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) versus 26% in diacylglycerol (DAG) and 12% in triacylglycerol (TAG) indicating bottlenecks in the transfer of CPA from PC to DAG and from DAG to TAG. Upon co‐expression of SfLPAT with EcCPS, di‐CPA‐PC increased by ~50% relative to lines expressing EcCPS alone with the di‐CPA‐PC primarily observed in the embryonic axis and mono‐CPA‐PC primarily in cotyledon tissue. EcCPS‐SfLPAT lines revealed a redistribution of CPA from the sn‐1 to sn‐2 positions within PC and PE that was associated with a doubling of CPA accumulation in both DAG and TAG. The identification of metabolic bottlenecks in acyl transfer between site of synthesis (phospholipids) and deposition in storage oils (TAGs) lays the foundation for the optimizing CPA accumulation through directed engineering of oil synthesis in target crops.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over inferior frontal cortex impairs the suppression (but not expression) of action impulses during action conflict
Authors: van Campen A. Dilene , Kunert Richard , van den Wildenberg Wery P. M. , Ridderinkhof K. Richard 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn the recent literature, the effects of noninvasive neurostimulation on cognitive functioning appear to lack consistency and replicability. We propose that such effects may be concealed unless dedicated, sensitive, and process‐specific dependent measures are used. The expression and subsequent suppression of response capture are often studied using conflict tasks. Response‐time distribution analyses have been argued to provide specific measures of the susceptibility to make fast impulsive response errors, as well as the proficiency of the selective suppression of these impulses. These measures of response capture and response inhibition are particularly sensitive to experimental manipulations and clinical deficiencies that are typically obfuscated in commonly used overall performance analyses. Recent work using structural and functional imaging techniques links these behavioral outcome measures to the integrity of frontostriatal networks. These studies suggest that the presupplementary motor area (pre‐SMA) is linked to the susceptibility to response capture whereas the right inferior frontal cortex (rIFC) is associated with the selective suppression of action impulses. Here, we used repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to test the causal involvement of these two cortical areas in response capture and inhibition in the Simon task. Disruption of rIFC function specifically impaired selective suppression of conflicting action tendencies, whereas the anticipated increase of fast impulsive errors after perturbing pre‐SMA function was not confirmed. These results provide a proof of principle of the notion that the selection of appropriate dependent measures is perhaps crucial to establish the effects of neurostimulation on specific cognitive functions.
Financial frictions, interest rate dynamics, and international business cycle synchronization
Authors: Rouillard Jean‐François 
Published: September 2017

AbstractA two‐country real business cycle model with national endogenous borrowing constraints and working capital requirements can account for the high level of international co‐movements. The effects of technology shocks are transmitted internationally through the dynamics of the interest rate. Specifically, the borrowing mechanism brings about a wedge between the real interest rate and the expected marginal product of capital, such that interest rates fall following positive technology shocks. A lower interest rate induces more investment by Foreign firms, which in turn contribute to greater synchronization of economic activities across countries. Moreover, terms of trade amplify the effects of technology shocks.
Effects of menthol application on the skin during prolonged immersion in cool and cold water
Authors: Botonis P. G. , Kounalakis S. N. , Cherouveim E. D. , Koskolou M. D. , Geladas N. D. 
Published: September 2017

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of skin surface menthol application on rectal temperature (Tre) during prolonged immersion in cool and cold water. We hypothesized that menthol application would lead to a slower Tre decline due to the reduced heat loss as a consequence of the menthol‐induced vasoconstriction and that this effect would be attenuated during cold‐water immersion. Six male subjects were immersed for 55 minutes in stirred cool (24°C) or cold (14°C) water immediately after attaining a Tre of 38°C by cycling at 60% of maximum heart rate on two occasions: without (ΝM) and with (M) whole‐body skin application of menthol cream. Tre, the proximal‐distal skin temperature gradient, and oxygen uptake were continuously measured. ANOVA with repeated measures was employed to detect differences among variables. Significance level was set at 0.05. The area under the curve for Tre was calculated and was greater in 24°C M (−1.81 ± 8.22 a.u) compared to 24°C NM (−27.09 ± 19.09 a.u., P = .03, r = .90), 14°C NM (−18.08 ± 10.85 a.u., P = .03, r = .90), and 14°C M (−11.71 ± 12.58 a.u, P = .05, r = .81). In cool water, oxygen uptake and local vasoconstriction were increased (P ≤ .05) by 39 ± 25% and 56 ± 37%, respectively, with menthol compared to ΝM, while no differences were observed in cold water. Menthol application on the skin before prolonged immersion reduces heat loss resulting in a blunted Tre decline. However, such a response is less obvious at 14°C water immersion, possibly because high‐threshold cold‐sensitive fibers are already maximally recruited and the majority of cold receptors saturated.
Geomorphometry from unmanned aerial surveys
Authors: Florinsky Igor V. , Kurkov Vladimir M. , Bliakharskii Dmitrii P. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractUnmanned aerial systems (UASs) are widely used for remote sensing, including the production of high‐resolution digital elevation models (DEMs). We study the possibilities of UAS‐based aerial surveys to produce photogrammetrically sound, high‐resolution DEMs intended for geomorphometric modeling. The study was conducted at the Zaoksky testing ground (Russia). To carry out an aerial survey, we used a UAS Geoscan‐101 equipped with a Sony DSC‐RX1 camera and a Topcon GNSS receiver. Aerial photographs were processed using Agisoft PhotoScan Professional software. Applying dense point cloud generation and classification, we produced DEMs with resolutions of 6 cm, 20 cm, and 1 m. Using a universal spectral analytical method, we derived models of several morphometric variables (i.e., slope gradient, horizontal, vertical, minimal, and maximal curvatures) from DEMs with resolutions of 20 cm and 1 m. We found that it is possible to produce noiseless models and well‐readable maps of morphometric variables for grassy areas with separately standing groups of trees and shrubs. However, UAS‐based DEMs cannot be applied for modeling of forested areas: there occur pronounced unrecoverable artifacts due to errors of automated classification of the dense point cloud. Finally, we present recommendations for the production of UAS‐derived, photogrammetrically sound, high‐resolution DEMs intended for geomorphometry.
Does l‐citrulline supplementation improve exercise blood flow in older adults?
Authors: Gonzales Joaquin U. , Raymond Andrea , Ashley John , Kim Youngdeok 
Published: September 2017

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Does short‐term supplementation with l‐citrulline in order to increase l‐arginine improve exercise blood flow and peripheral dilatation responses to exercise in older adults?

What is the main finding and its importance?
l‐Citrulline increased femoral blood flow by 11% and vascular conductance by 14% during lower‐limb exercise in older men, whereas no changes were observed in older women. This modest improvement in bulk muscle blood flow in older men has implications for altering muscle metabolism that may result in enhanced exercise tolerance in older adults.

l‐Citrulline (Cit) increases l‐arginine (Arg), the primary substrate for nitric oxide biosynthesis. We tested the hypothesis that muscle blood flow during exercise would be enhanced by Cit supplementation in older adults. Femoral artery blood flow was measured during calf exercise using Doppler ultrasound, and vascular conductance (FVC) was calculated in 25 older adults (13 women and 12 men) before and after 14 days of Cit (6 g day−1) and placebo (maltodextrin) in a randomized, double‐blind, crossover study. Plasma [Arg] and resting blood pressure were also measured before and after each condition. Women and men were analysed separately because of significant sex‐by‐condition interactions for the change in exercise blood flow and FVC. Plasma [Arg] was increased by 30 and 35% after Cit (P < 0.01) in women and men, respectively, with no change after placebo. Citrulline lowered diastolic blood pressure in men (75 ± 9 versus 71 ± 6 mmHg, P = 0.02), but this variable remained unchanged in women. Blood flow and FVC during exercise at higher workloads were increased after Cit in men (flow, 521 ± 134 versus 584 ± 166 ml min−1, P = 0.04; FVC, 5.0 ± 1.5 versus 5.8 ± 1.7 m, min mmHg−1, P = 0.01) but were not different after placebo. These variables were not altered by Cit in women. Adjusting for baseline diastolic blood pressure removed (P = 0.10) the difference in FBF and FVC following Cit in men. These results indicate that l‐citrulline has a modest effect of improving muscle blood flow during submaximal exercise in older men.
Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin Stalk-Specific Antibodies in Human Serum are a Surrogate Marker for
In Vivo
Protection in a Serum Transfer Mouse Challenge Model
Authors: Jacobsen Henning , Rajendran Madhusudan , Choi Angela , Sjursen Haakon , Brokstad Karl A. , Cox Rebecca J. , Palese Peter , Krammer Florian , Nachbagauer Raffael 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

The immunogenicity of current influenza virus vaccines is assessed by measuring an increase of influenza virus-specific antibodies in a hemagglutination inhibition assay. This method exclusively measures antibodies against the hemagglutinin head domain. While this domain is immunodominant, it has been shown that hemagglutination inhibition titers do not always accurately predict protection from disease. In addition, several novel influenza virus vaccines that are currently under development do not target the hemagglutinin head domain, but rather more conserved sites, including the hemagglutinin stalk. Importantly, antibodies against the hemagglutinin stalk do not show activity in hemagglutination inhibition assays and will require different methods for quantification. In this study, we tested human serum samples from a seasonal influenza virus vaccination trial and an avian H5N1 virus vaccination trial for antibody activities in multiple types of assays, including binding assays and also functional assays. We then performed serum transfer experiments in mice which then received an H1N1 virus challenge to assess the
in vivo
protective effects of the antibodies. We found that hemagglutinin-specific antibody levels measured in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) correlated well with protection from weight loss in mice. In addition, we found that weight loss was also inversely correlated with the level of serum antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) as measured in a reporter assay. These findings indicate that protection is in part conferred by Fc-dependent mechanisms. In conclusion, ELISAs can be used to measure hemagglutinin-specific antibody levels that could serve as a surrogate marker of protection for universal influenza virus vaccines.

IMPORTANCE
Influenza viruses are a serious concern for public health and cause a large number of deaths worldwide every year. Current influenza virus vaccines can confer protection from disease, but they often show low efficacy due to the ever-changing nature of the viruses. Novel vaccination approaches target conserved epitopes of the virus, including the hemagglutinin stalk domain, to elicit universally protective antibodies that also bind to mutated viruses or new subtypes of viruses. Importantly, the hemagglutination inhibition assay—the only assay that has been accepted as a correlate of protection by regulatory authorities—cannot measure antibodies against the hemagglutinin stalk domain. Therefore, novel correlates of protection and assays to measure vaccine immunogenicity need to be developed. In this study, we correlated the results from multiple assays with protection in mice after transfer of human serum and a lethal virus challenge to investigate potential novel serological surrogate markers for protection.
Recombinant human TNK tissue-type plasminogen activator (rhTNK-tPA) versus alteplase (rt-PA) as fibrinolytic therapy for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (China TNK STEMI): protocol for a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial
Authors: Wang Hai-bo , Ji Ping , Zhao Xing-Shan , Xu Haiyan , Yan Xiao-Yan , Yang Qin , Yao Chen , Gao Run-Lin , Wu Yang-feng , Qiao Shu-Bin 
Published: September 2017

AimTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human TNK tissue-type plasminogen activator (rhTNK-tPA) in lowering major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in Chinese acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.Methods and analysisThe study is designed as a multicentre, randomised, controlled non-inferiority phase IV trial with balanced randomisation (1:1) in patients with STEMI. The planned sample size is 6200 participants (or 3100 per arm). Participants with STEMI will be randomised to receive either rhTNK-tPA or alteplase (rt-PA), with stratification by research centre, age and the time from symptom onset to randomisation. All patients will receive concomitant antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy before fibrinolytic therapy. The participants assigned to the intervention group will receive an intravenous bolus of 16 mg rhTNK-tPA, while those assigned to the control group will receive an intravenous bolus of 8 mg rt-PA followed by 42 mg infusion over 90 mins. Other medications can also be administered at the discretion of the cardiologists in charge. All participants will be followed up for the primary study endpoint, the occurrence of MACCEs within 30 days after fibrinolytic therapy, which is defined as all-cause mortality, non-fatal re-infarction, non-fatal stroke, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to thrombolysis failure, and PCI due to reocclusion. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses will be done for the primary analyses.Ethics and disseminationThe study procedures and informed consent form were approved by all participating hospitals. The results will be disseminated in peer review journals and academic conferences. This multicentre randomised controlled trial will provide high-quality data about the efficacy and safety of rhTNK-tPA and, once approved, its easier use should help improve the application of reperfusion therapy and hence the treatment outcomes of STEMI patients.Trial registration numberNCT02835534.
Gastro‐oesophageal intussusception in a 25‐week‐old Briard
Authors: Walker Joshua James Allen , Ryan Tony Matthew 
Published: September 2017

A 25‐week‐old, male entire, Briard was referred following acute‐onset vomiting of 72 hours’ duration. Radiographic and endoscopic investigation revealed a suspected gastro‐oesophageal intussusception (GEI). The intussusception was surgically reduced and a left‐sided gastropexy and oesodiaphragmatopexy was performed. The patient survived to discharge despite aspiration pneumonia and megaoesophagus, and 12 months following surgery was doing well with only minor regurgitation. GEI is a rare condition with a guarded prognosis, but successful outcomes are possible. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of GEI in a Briard.
Behavior of very high energy hadronic cross-sections
Authors: Stodolsky L. 
Published: September 2017

Analysis of the data for proton and antiproton scattering leads to a simple picture for very high energy hadronic cross-sections. There is, asymptotically, a simple “black disc” with a smooth “edge”. The radius of the “disc” is expanding logarithmically with energy, while the “edge” is constant. These conclusions follow from extensive fits to accelerator and cosmic ray data, combined with the observation that a certain combination of elastic and total cross-sections allows extraction of the “edge”. An interesting feature of the results is that the “edge” is rather large compared to the “disc”. This explains the slow approach to “asymptopia” where the “disc” finally dominates.