bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Semiochemical mediated enhancement of males to complement sterile insect technique in management of the tephritid pest Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt)
Authors: Khan Mohammed Abul Monjur , Manoukis Nicholas C. , Osborne Terry , Barchia Idris M. , Gurr Geoff M. , Reynolds Olivia L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractQueensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), is the most significant pest of Australia’s $9 billion horticulture industry. The sterile insect technique (SIT) and cue-lure (a synthetic analogue of raspberry ketone (RK))-based male annihilation technique (MAT) are two of the most effective management tools against this pest. However, combining these two approaches is considered incompatible as MAT kills sterile and ‘wild’ males indiscriminately. In the present study we tested the effect of pre-release feeding of B. tryoni on RK on their post-release survival and response to MAT in field cages and in a commercial orchard. In both settings, survival was higher for RK supplemented adults compared to control (i.e. RK denied) adults. A lower number of RK supplemented sterile males were recaptured in MAT baited traps in both the field cages and orchard trials compared to RK denied sterile males. The advantage of this novel “male replacement” approach (relatively selective mortality of wild males at lure-baited traps while simultaneously releasing sterile males) is increasing the ratio of sterile to wild males in the field population, with potential for reducing the number of sterile males to be released.
Prognostic significance of preoperative gamma-glutamyltransferase to lymphocyte ratio index in nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors after curative resection
Authors: Zhou Bo , Zhan Canyang , Wu Jingjing , Liu Jianhua , Zhou Jie , Zheng Shusen 
Published: October 2017

AbstractVarious inflammation-based prognostic scores have been associated with reduced survival in patients with nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NF-PNET). However, few studies have illuminated the relationship between the preoperative gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) to lymphocyte ratio index (GLRI) and the prognosis of NF-PNET. A retrospective review of 125 NF-PNET patients following curative resection was conducted. The cut-off values for the inflammation-based prognostic scores, including GLRI, were selected using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Univariate, multivariate and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to calculate overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The optimal cut-off value for GLRI was 10.3. Multivariate analysis showed that GLRI was an independent predictor of OS (P = 0.001) and DFS (P = 0.007) for NF-PNET. Kaplan-Meier analysis also showed that preoperative GLRI had significant prognostic value in various subgroups of patients with NF-PNET. The discriminatory capability of GLRI was superior to that of other inflammation-based scores in OS prediction. Furthermore, the predictive range was expanded by incorporating GLRI into the conventional stratification systems, including AJCC staging and WHO classification. These results indicated that preoperative GLRI was an independent predictor for NF-PNET patients undergoing curative resection. The incorporation of GLRI into the existing conventional stratification systems resulted in improved predictive accuracy.
Bio-based coatings for reducing water sorption in natural fibre reinforced composites
Authors: Mokhothu T. H. , John M. J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this study, bio-based coatings were used for reducing water sorption of composites containing flame retardant treated natural fibres and phenolic resin. Two types of coatings; polyfurfuryl alcohol resin (PFA) and polyurethane (PU) were used on the composites and compared with a water resistant market product. Uncoated and coated samples were conditioned at 90 °C and relative humidity of 90% for three days and the relative moisture content and mechanical properties after conditioning were analysed. In addition, the changes in the weight loss of the conditioned samples were also investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The moisture diffusion characteristics of coated laminates were also studied at room temperature under water immersion conditions. PFA coated samples showed better moisture resistance and mechanical performance than other bio-based coatings when subjected to long term environmental aging.
Catsper1 promoter is bidirectional and regulates the expression of a novel lncRNA
Authors: Jiménez-Badillo Salma E. , Oviedo Norma , Hernández-Guzmán Christian , González-Mariscal Lorenza , Hernández-Sánchez Javier 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe Catsper1 gene, whose expression is restricted to male germ cells, has great importance in reproductive biology because of its function in sperm motility and fertilization. We previously reported that the promoter of this gene has transcriptional activity in either direction in a heterologous system. In the present study, we found that the Catsper1 promoter has in vitro transcriptional activity in either orientation in GC-1 spg mouse spermatogonial cells. The results also showed that this promoter regulates the expression of a new divergent Catsper1 gene named Catsper1au (Catsper1 antisense upstream transcript). Catsper1au is expressed in adult male mouse testis and liver tissues but not in female mouse liver or ovary tissues. In the testis, Catsper1au is expressed in embryos at 11.5 days post-coitum and from newborns to adults. This gene is also expressed in 1- to 3-week postnatal hearts and in 1-week to adult stage livers. The analysis of the 1402 bp whole genome sequence revealed that Catsper1au is an intronless and polyadenylated lncRNA, located in the nuclei of Sertoli and spermatogenic cells from adult testis. These data indicate that Catsper1au is divergently expressed from the Catsper1 promoter and could regulate gene expression during spermatogenesis.
GDC-0449 improves the antitumor activity of nano-doxorubicin in pancreatic cancer in a fibroblast-enriched microenvironment
Authors: Zhou Quan , Zhou Yongcun , Liu Xiangrui , Shen Youqing 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal human cancers that currently does not have effective therapies. Novel treatments including nanomedicines and combination therapies are thus urgently needed for these types of deadly diseases. A key feature of pancreatic cancer is its tumor protective dense stroma, which is generated by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The interaction between CAFs and pancreatic cancer cells abnormally activates sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling and facilitates tumor growth, metastasis, and drug resistance. Here, we report that the commercial SHH inhibitor GDC-0449 reverses fibroblast-induced resistance to doxorubicin in Smoothened (SMO)-positive pancreatic cancer cells by downregulating SHH signaling proteins. Importantly, the synergistic combination of GDC-0449 with PEG-PCL-Dox exhibited potent antitumor efficacy in a BxPC-3 tumor xenograft model, whereas single treatments did not significantly inhibit tumor growth. Our findings reveal a potential treatment strategy for fibroblast-enriched pancreatic cancer.
Development of a real-time fluorescence loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid and quantitative detection of Ustilago maydis
Authors: Cao Yanyong , Wang Lifeng , Duan Liping , Li Jingjing , Ma Juan , Xie Shuna , Shi Lei , Li Huiyong 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe common smut of corn, caused by Ustilago maydis is a troublesome disease of maize. Early and accurate detection of U. maydis is essential for the disease management. In this study, primer set Pep-2 was selected for LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) from 12 sets of primers targeting three U. maydis effector genes See1, Pit2 and Pep1 according to primer screening. The optimal concentrations of Bst DNA polymerase and Mg2+ as well as inner/outer primer ratio of the LAMP reaction system were screened by combining a single factor experiment and an orthogonal design arrangement. The specificity of this real-time LAMP (RealAmp) assay was confirmed by negative testing for other pathogens. The detection sensitivity of the RealAmp assay was 200 times higher than that of detection through conventional PCR. Results of the RealAmp assay for quantifying the genomic DNA of U. maydis were confirmed by testing with both artificially and naturally infected samples. In addition, the RealAmp reaction could be conducted via an improved tube scanner to implement a “electricity free” assay from template preparation to quantitative detection. The resulting assay could be more convenient for use in the field as a simple, rapid, and effective technique for monitoring U. maydis.
Credit assignment between body and object probed by an object transportation task
Authors: Kong Gaiqing , Zhou Zhihao , Wang Qining , Kording Konrad , Wei Kunlin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIt has been proposed that learning from movement errors involves a credit assignment problem: did I misestimate properties of the object or those of my body? For example, an overestimate of arm strength and an underestimate of the weight of a coffee cup can both lead to coffee spills. Though previous studies have found signs of simultaneous learning of the object and of the body during object manipulation, there is little behavioral evidence about their quantitative relation. Here we employed a novel weight-transportation task, in which participants lift the first cup filled with liquid while assessing their learning from errors. Specifically, we examined their transfer of learning when switching to a contralateral hand, the second identical cup, or switching both hands and cups. By comparing these transfer behaviors, we found that 25% of the learning was attributed to the object (simply because of the use of the same cup) and 58% of the learning was attributed to the body (simply because of the use of the same hand). The nervous system thus seems to partition the learning of object manipulation between the object and the body.
A single point mutation in class III ribonucleotide reductase promoter renders Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 inefficient for anaerobic growth and infection
Authors: Crespo Anna , Gavaldà Joan , Julián Esther , Torrents Eduard 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 has become the reference strain in many laboratories. One enzyme that is essential for its cell division is the ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) enzyme that supplies the deoxynucleotides required for DNA synthesis and repair. P. aeruginosa is one of the few microorganisms that encodes three different RNR classes (Ia, II and III) in its genome, enabling it to grow and adapt to diverse environmental conditions, including during infection. In this work, we demonstrate that a lack of RNR activity induces cell elongation in P. aeruginosa PAO1. Moreover, RNR gene expression during anaerobiosis differs among P. aeruginosa strains, with class III highly expressed in P. aeruginosa clinical isolates relative to the laboratory P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain. A single point mutation was identified in the P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain class III RNR promoter region that disrupts its anaerobic transcription by the Dnr regulator. An engineered strain that induces the class III RNR expression allows P. aeruginosa PAO1 anaerobic growth and increases its virulence to resemble that of clinical strains. Our results demonstrate that P. aeruginosa PAO1 is adapted to laboratory conditions and is not the best reference strain for anaerobic or infection studies.
Accounting for travel time reliability, trip purpose and departure time choice in an agent‐based dynamic toll pricing approach
Authors: Li Wan , Cheng Danhong , Bian Ruijie , Ishak Sherif , Osman Osama A 
Published: October 2017

This study introduces an agent‐based dynamic feedback‐control toll pricing strategy that accounts for the trip purpose, travel time reliability, departure time choice and level of income such that the toll revenue is maximised while maintaining a minimum desired level of service on the managed lanes. An agent‐based modelling was applied to simulate drivers’ learning process based on their previous commuting experience. The study also analysed how drivers’ heterogeneity in value of time, and value of reliability for each trip purpose will influence route decisions and thus affect the optimal toll rates. Comparative evaluation between the newly developed strategy, the strategy currently deployed on Interstate 95 express lanes, and another strategy previously developed by the authors shows that the agent‐based strategy produced a steadier increase in toll rate during the peak hours and a significantly higher toll revenue at speeds higher than 45 mph.
Transition to Routine Premedication for Nonemergent Intubations in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Mossabeb Roschanak , Menkiti Ogechukwu , Young Megan , Bains Vidhy , Cooperberg David , Fleishman Rachel 
Published: October 2017

Objective This study aims to test whether implementing a guideline for nonemergent intubation improves the rate of premedication for nonemergent intubations in an academic level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We further sought to test the hypothesis that neonates who receive premedication for a nonemergent intubation have decreased pain scores at the time of intubation, fewer intubation attempts, and no associated adverse events.
Study Design This was a prospective observational study with ongoing audit and feedback as well as statistical process control analysis. Data collection began on October 1, 2014. Clinical guideline implementation began in October 2015. A percent “P”-chart spanning seven-quarters was constructed with statistical process control analysis plotting premedication rates over time. Student's t-tests or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for secondary outcomes.
Results The mean number of nonemergent intubations given premedications increased from 34 to 82%. The mean pain score was lower when premedications were given: 0.34 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10–0.58) versus 2.8 (95% CI: 1.9–3.6) (p < 0.001). The number of intubation attempts did not differ with premedications.
Conclusion Adopting a guideline with supporting educational initiatives to standardize premedication before nonemergent intubations increased this practice. This regimen lowered clinical pain scores with no difference in the number of intubation attempts.
Lehre von Public Health in gesundheitsbezogenen Studiengängen in Deutschland: die Sicht von Studiengangsverantwortlichen
Authors: Lindert Jutta , Wehrwein Annette , Klemperer David , Walter Ulla 
Published: October 2017

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Inhalte von Public Health werden in Deutschland in gesundheitsbezogenen Studiengängen an Hochschulen und Universitäten gelehrt. Ziel dieser Studie war es, Daten zur Lehre und zur Kooperation von Lehrenden von Public Health in gesundheitsbezogenen Studiengängen in Deutschland zur Verfügung zu stellen.
Methode Eine Querschnittsuntersuchung wurde online-basiert vom 01.06. bis 15.09.2015 an 93 Hochschulen/Universitäten in Deutschland mit 351 Studiengangsverantwortlichen aus gesundheitsbezogenen Studiengängen durchgeführt. Einbezogen wurden Public Health Studiengänge und gesundheitsbezogene Studiengänge, deren Hochschulen bzw. Universitäten entweder Mitglied in der „Deutschen Gesellschaft für Sozialmedizin und Prävention“ (DGSMP) oder in der Gesellschaft „Hochschulen für Gesundheit“ (HOGE) sind. Teilgenommen an dieser Studie haben N=104 Studiengangsverantwortliche (43% Männer, 57% Frauen). In Public Health Studiengängen wurden „Global Health“ und „Umwelt und Gesundheit“ als Studieninhalte häufiger als in gesundheitsbezogenen Studiengängen benannt; in gesundheitsbezogenen Studiengängen wurden häufiger „Ethik“ und „Gesundheitspsychologie“ als Lehrinhalte benannt. Finanzielle Unterstützungen durch die Hochschulen/ Universitäten sowie strukturierte Partnerschaften zwischen Hochschulen und/ oder Universitäten werden von Lehrenden an Hochschulen (36%) und an Universitäten (40%) gewünscht. Lehrende an Hochschulen wünschen darüber hinaus Promotionspartnerschaften.
Schlussfolgerung Bisher gibt es in Deutschland keine einheitlichen fachlichen Qualitätskriterien für Absolvierende von Public Health bzw. gesundheitsbezogenen Studiengängen. Zudem gibt es nach Aussage der Studiengangsverantwortlichen dieser Studiengänge wenig Kooperation zwischen Lehrenden der Public Health bzw. der gesundheitsbezogenen Studiengänge.
The first homemade colonoscopy trainer
Authors: Walczak Dominik , Grajek Maciej , Walczak Paulina , Tuliszka-Gołowkin Magdalena , Massopust Roman , Pawełczak Dariusz , Pasieka Zbigniew , Krakowczyk Łukasz , Maciejewski Adam 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Introduction Colonoscopy trainers have gained recognition for improving endoscopy skills and preparing for real procedures on humans. Unfortunately, due to their high price, commercial simulators are hard to obtain, especially for small medical centers. However, a solution might be to construct a device for themselves.
Aim Our goal was to build a relatively cheap and easy-to-construct simulator for residents who want to start learning colonoscopy.
Materials and methods The box model colonoscopy trainer was designed and constructed. The artificial colon was made from 2 layers of fabric and rubber rings between them. Velcro attached to the artificial colon and to the box, and the tarp straps that simulate peritoneal adhesions allow the bowel to be arranged in many different configurations. Moreover, some aspects of polypectomy training have been incorporated in the colonoscopy simulator.
Results The self-constructed simulator was found to be an effective training device, with the total cost of parts not exceeding $30.
Conclusions In this paper, we present the first homemade simulator for colonoscopy training. It offers the opportunity for skills acquisition in a preclinical setting.
Packaging and transfer of mitochondrial DNA via exosomes regulate escape from dormancy in hormonal therapy-resistant breast cancer
Authors: Sansone Pasquale , Savini Claudia , Kurelac Ivana , Chang Qing , Amato Laura Benedetta , Strillacci Antonio , Stepanova Anna , Iommarini Luisa , Mastroleo Chiara , Daly Laura , Galkin Alexander , Thakur Basant Kumar , Soplop Nadine , Uryu Kunihiro , Hoshino Ayuko , Norton Larry , Bonafé Massimiliano , Cricca Monica , Gasparre Giuseppe , Lyden David , Bromberg Jacqueline 
Published: October 2017

Significance
Increasing evidence suggests that extracellular vesicles (EVs) can transfer genetic material to recipient cells. However, the mechanism and role of this phenomenon are largely unknown. Here we have made a remarkable discovery: EVs can harbor the full mitochondrial genome. These extracellular vesicles can in turn transfer their mtDNA to cells with impaired metabolism, leading to restoration of metabolic activity. We determined that hormonal therapy induces oxidative phosphorylation-deficient breast cancer cells, which can be rescued via the transfer of mtDNA-laden extracellular vesicles. Horizontal transfer of mtDNA occurred in cancer stem-like cells and was associated with increased self-renewal potential of these cells, leading to resistance to hormonal therapy. We propose that mtDNA transfer occurs in human cancer via EVs.
Critical Habitats and Stock Assessment: Age‐Specific Bias in the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Population Survey
Authors: Ralph Gina M. , Lipcius Romuald N. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPopulation surveys used in stock assessments often ignore habitats that are difficult to sample under the assumption that these habitats harbor an inconsequential fraction of the population. We tested this assumption for the Chesapeake Bay population of blue crab Callinectes sapidus, which numbers in the hundreds of millions, supports one of the world's most productive crustacean fisheries, and is managed based on a rigorous stock assessment. The stock assessments rely on a baywide winter dredge survey (WDS), which produces an absolute estimate of abundance for age‐1 and older crabs. Although the WDS does not sample waters shallower than 1.5 m deep, where some age‐0 crabs overwinter, it has been assumed that abundance in these shallow habitats is not substantial. We sampled vegetated and nonvegetated shallow‐water habitats not sampled by the WDS at four locations in lower Chesapeake Bay in February‐April 2011. Age‐0 density in shallow vegetated habitats was about two orders of magnitude higher than in deeper vegetated habitats sampled by the WDS; density in shallow nonvegetated habitats was about 40 times that of deep nonvegetated habitats. Even after excluding juvenile crabs that would not be retained by WDS gear, juvenile density was still 50 times higher in shallow vegetated and 32 times higher in nonvegetated habitats than in deep nonvegetated habitats. Extrapolating these densities baywide, we estimated approximately 850‐1,500 million age‐0 crabs in Chesapeake Bay, in contrast to the 2011 WDS estimate of about 205 million age‐0 crabs. Thus, the WDS only sampled 14‐24% of age‐0 crabs. If the fraction of age‐0 crabs sampled by the WDS differs interannually, then empirical estimates of abundance and exploitation rate will be biased and potentially lead to risk‐prone management actions. Our findings provide an empirical example whereby inattention to habitat utilization as a function of age or ontogeny may introduce significant error into fishery management.Received May 17, 2013; accepted February 18, 2014
Size‐Selective Mortality of Steelhead during Freshwater and Marine Life Stages Related to Freshwater Growth in the Skagit River, Washington
Authors: Thompson Jamie N. , Beauchamp David A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe evaluated freshwater growth and survival from juvenile (ages 0–3) to smolt (ages 1–5) and adult stages in wild steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss sampled in different precipitation zones of the Skagit River basin, Washington. Our objectives were to determine whether significant size‐selective mortality (SSM) in steelhead could be detected between early and later freshwater stages and between each of these freshwater stages and returning adults and, if so, how SSM varied between these life stages and mixed and snow precipitation zones. Scale‐based size‐at‐annulus comparisons indicated that steelhead in the snow zone were significantly larger at annulus 1 than those in the mixed rain–snow zone. Size at annuli 2 and 3 did not differ between precipitation zones, and we found no precipitation zone × life stage interaction effect on size at annulus. Significant freshwater and marine SSM was evident between the juvenile and adult samples at annulus 1 and between each life stage at annuli 2 and 3. Rapid growth between the final freshwater annulus and the smolt migration did not improve survival to adulthood; rather, it appears that survival in the marine environment may be driven by an overall higher growth rate set earlier in life, which results in a larger size at smolt migration. Efforts for recovery of threatened Puget Sound steelhead could benefit by considering that SSM between freshwater and marine life stages can be partially attributed to growth attained in freshwater habitats and by identifying those factors that limit growth during early life stages.Received December 3, 2013; accepted February 25, 2014