bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of intestinal microbiota in murine models of acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity
Authors: Possamai Lucia A , McPhail Mark JW , Khamri Wafa , Wu Bishan , Concas Danilo , Harrison Mark , Williams Roger , Cox Roger D , Cox I Jane , Anstee Quentin M , Thursz Mark R 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsVariations in intestinal microbiota may influence acetaminophen metabolism. This study aimed to determine whether intestinal microbiota are a source of differential susceptibility to acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity.MethodsConventionally housed C3H/HeH (CH) and C3H/HeH germ‐free (GF) mice were administered a 200 mg/kg IP dose of acetaminophen. The severity of hepatotoxicity at 8 h was assessed by histology and biochemical indices. A urinary metabolic profile was obtained using 1H‐NMR. Baseline hepatic glutathione content and CYP2E1 expression were quantified. An additional group of C3H/HeJ (LPS‐r) mice were assessed to determine the contribution of LPS/TLR4 signalling.ResultsBaseline glutathione levels were significantly reduced (P = 0.03) in GF mice. CYP2E1 mRNA expression and protein levels were not altered. Interindividual variability did not differ between GF and CH groups. No significant differences in the extent of hepatocellular injury (ALT or percentage necrosis) were demonstrated. However, a milder acute liver failure (ALF) phenotype was shown in GF compared with CH mice, with reduced plasma bilirubin and creatinine and increased blood glucose. Differential acetaminophen metabolism was demonstrated. GF mice displayed a higher urinary acetaminophen‐sulphate:glucuronide ratio compared with CH (P = 0.01). Urinary analysis showed metabolic differentiation of GF and CH groups at baseline and 8 h (cross‐validated anova P = 1 × 10‐22). Interruption of TLR4 signalling in LPS‐r mice had additional protective effects.ConclusionVariations in intestinal microbiota do not fully explain differential susceptibility to acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity. GF mice experienced some protection from secondary complications following acetaminophen overdose and this may be mediated through reduced TLR4/LPS signalling.
Do fecundity‐time models really predict extreme optimal egg sizes?
Authors: Kupriyanova Elena K. , Mikhin Dmitry Yu. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn 1973, Vance published a mathematical model that explains differences in reproductive strategies such as planktotrophy and lecithotrophy found in marine invertebrates. The original model Vance (The American Naturalist, 107, 339–352) traded fecundity against development time and resulted in a U‐shaped fitness function suggesting that only extreme levels of egg provisioning (referred to as egg size) are evolutionarily stable. Several later models independently predicted evolutionary stability of extreme egg sizes, and this has been commonly interpreted as a proof that the Vance model, albeit oversimplified, reflects the fundamental evolutionary principle of disruptive egg size evolution in marine invertebrates. However, empirical studies of the last several decades have illustrated that intermediate levels of egg provisioning are commonly observed in nature. As a result, the recent modifications of the original Vance model have attempted to explain evolution of such intermediate strategies. Here we re‐examine the earlier fecundity‐time models of the ‘Vance family’ and show that only Vance and its minor modification by Grant (The American Naturalist, 122, 549–555) invariably predict evolutionary stability of extreme egg sizes. Most modifications of the original Vance model in fact can predict at least some intermediate optimal egg sizes and reproductive strategies. There is no reason to assume that selection towards extreme egg sizes is the driving force in the evolution of marine invertebrate life histories.
Ontogenetic stage‐specific quantitative trait loci contribute to divergence in developmental trajectories of sexually dimorphic fins between medaka populations
Authors: Kawajiri Maiko , Yoshida Kohta , Fujimoto Shingo , Mokodongan Daniel Frikli , Ravinet Mark , Kirkpatrick Mark , Yamahira Kazunori , Kitano Jun 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSexual dimorphism can evolve when males and females differ in phenotypic optima. Genetic constraints can, however, limit the evolution of sexual dimorphism. One possible constraint is derived from alleles expressed in both sexes. Because males and females share most of their genome, shared alleles with different fitness effects between sexes are faced with intralocus sexual conflict. Another potential constraint is derived from genetic correlations between developmental stages. Sexually dimorphic traits are often favoured at adult stages, but selected against as juvenile, so developmental decoupling of traits between ontogenetic stages may be necessary for the evolution of sexual dimorphism in adults. Resolving intralocus conflicts between sexes and ages is therefore a key to the evolution of age‐specific expression of sexual dimorphism. We investigated the genetic architecture of divergence in the ontogeny of sexual dimorphism between two populations of the Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) that differ in the magnitude of dimorphism in anal and dorsal fin length. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping revealed that fewQTLhad consistent effects throughout ontogenetic stages and the majority ofQTLchange the sizes and directions of effects on fin growth rates during ontogeny. We also found that mostQTLwere sex‐specific, suggesting that intralocus sexual conflict is almost resolved. Our results indicate that sex‐ and age‐specificQTLenable the populations to achieve optimal developmental trajectories of sexually dimorphic traits in response to complex natural and sexual selection.
Identifying with the old or the new state: nation‐building vs. Yugonostalgia in the Yugoslav successor states
Authors: Kolstø Pål 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe article examines to what degree attachment to a former multinational state which breaks up may complicate national consolidation in new states, as was the case in the Soviet Union and Titoist Yugoslavia. In the former Yugoslavia such attachment is usually referred to as ‘Yugonostalgia’, and various opinions have been expressed about its strength and possible political consequences today. Only in 2011, however, was an attempt made to measure Yugonostalgia quantitatively and analyse this phenomenon comparatively in the various successor states. A large‐scale survey showed that while Yugonostalgics in some countries were less loyal than other citizens towards the new state this was not the case in Serbia. In Croatia, the number of respondents who felt Yugoslav has gone down since independence far more than in any other state; probably a result of a massive public campaign to discredit continued identification with the former state.
The idea of mission inFinnish clericalLutheranism during theContinuationWar 1941–1944
Authors: Tilli Jouni 
Published: September 2014

AbstractOn 25June 1941Finland embarked on a war against theSovietUnion, as part ofGermany'sOperationBarbarossa. The war that was about to begin could be considered acceptable and even advantageous politically. However, theologically this was not necessarily the case. The topic of the article is how the war between the states ofFinland and theSovietUnion could be justified publicly in relation to a religion whose core message is not to kill, to turn the other cheek to – and even love – the enemy. Due to the close and long‐lasting relationship between the state, the army and the established church, Lutheran priests had a significant role in the war effort. The analysis shows that the answer provided byFinnishLutheran priests to the question drew significantly upon two versions of missionary thought, the national mission and the world‐historical one. The empirical material consists of articles, speeches, sermons and statements.
The three spheres. A theoretical model of mass nationalisation: the case of Spain
Authors: Quiroga Alejandro 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThis article sets out a theoretical model of the processes of mass nationalisation. The paper is divided into three sections. The first part shows nationalisation as a process of identity transmission that includes messages (national narratives), channels (national agencies) and recipients (national individuals). The second section analyses the processes of identity transmission into three spheres of nationalisation: the official public sphere, the non‐official public sphere and the private sphere. The last part looks at the process of mass nationalisation from below and reflects on the mechanisms of individual acquisition and reproduction of national identities on a daily basis. The general model of nationalisation presented here is developed in a deductive way and is applicable to a number of countries all over the world. In this article, I illustrate the general model by giving examples of mass nationalisations in Spain over the last two centuries.
Contextual effects on subjective national identity
Authors: Barceló Joan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractDoes the interaction between context and individual‐level features affect political attitudes? By using the case of Catalonia, a receiver region of international and national immigration since the fifties, this paper intersects a classic acculturation model and a newly reemerging literature in political science on contextual determinants of political behaviour to analyze how context affects subjective national identity. Results reveal that environment matters. The Percentage of Spain‐born population in the municipality is statistically significant to account for variance in the subjective national identity, even after controlling for age, sex, origin, language and left–right orientation and other contextual factors. This conclusion suggests that researchers should not underestimate the direct effect of the environment on feelings of belonging in contexts of rival identities.
Romanticism, music, nationalism
Authors: Leerssen Joep 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn manifold ways, the stylistic and performative features and evolving genre conventions of nineteenth‐century ‘classical’ music reflect the increasing grip of nationalism on cultural attitudes in Europe. Conversely, music could become an important medium for the expression and dissemination of nationalist ideals. A cross‐national, European‐wide survey of this interpenetration between musical and ideological developments is applied towards a tentative typological outline of ‘musical nationalism’.
The Story of Koula: music and nationhood in Greece
Authors: Samson Jim 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe Story of Koula, one of the Marshall Plan films, was made in Greece in 1951. It neatly exemplifies the capacity of Europe to ‘talk back’ to the USA within the framework of cultural aid programmes. And as such it can introduce a little‐explored topic: the politics of the avant‐garde in Greece in the post‐Civil War years and in particular the role of US cultural aid. This post‐war perspective throws light on the better‐known National School associated above all with Manolis Kalomiris, who dominated Greek music and musical life in the interwar period. The second part of this paper scrutinises the agenda and achievements of the Kalomiris circle, and that in turn enables useful generalisations about romantic nationalism in music. The third part of the paper reflects on the pre‐World War I achievements of Heptanesian traditions, again caught between singularities and dependencies.
Validating biomarkers of treatable mechanisms in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Camilleri M. , Shin A. , Busciglio I. , Carlson P. , Acosta A. , Bharucha A. E. , Burton D. , Lamsam J. , Lueke A. , Donato L. J. , Zinsmeister A. R. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundA valid biomarker is ‘an indicator of normal biologic or pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention’. There is no validated biomarker for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of the study was to assess ability of three quantitative traits to identify treatable processes to discriminate between IBS‐diarrhea (IBS‐D) patients, IBS‐constipation (IBS‐C) patients and healthy volunteers (HV).MethodsIn 30 HV, 30 IBS‐C patients and 64 IBS‐D patients, we characterized bowel symptoms and quantitated pathophysiological mechanisms: bile acid (BA) synthesis (serum C4 and FGF19), fecal BA and fat, colonic transit (CT), and intestinal permeability (IP). We used multiple logistic regression and receiver‐operating characteristic (ROCAUC) to appraise three factors (fecal BA, CT, and IP) individually and in combination to identify discriminant targets for treatment in IBS.Key ResultsThere were significant associations between the three subgroups and symptoms reflecting bowel function and the quantitative traits. There were significant associations between fecal BA and CT at 48 h (r = 0.43; p < 0.001) and between fecal BA and IP (r = 0.23; p = 0.015). Individually, fecal BA and CT48 (but not IP) were significant independent predictors for distinguishing HV from IBS. In combination, they discriminated HV from IBS‐D patients (ROCAUC 0.70), HV from IBS‐C patients (ROCAUC 0.73), and IBS‐C patients from IBS‐D patients (ROCAUC 0.86). Colonic transit and fecal BA excretion together discriminate between healthy volunteers and IBS‐C patients or IBS‐D patients, or between the IBS subgroups with 75–90% specificity at 60% sensitivity.Conclusions & InferencesColonic transit and fecal BA individually and together constitute useful biomarkers to identify treatable mechanisms in IBS and to differentiate subgroups of IBS.
Increased Long‐Term Mortality in Patients with Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infections
Authors: RIZWAN SOHAIL MUHAMMAD , HENRIKSON CHARLES A. , JO BRAID‐FORBES MARY , FORBES KEVIN F. , LERNER DANIEL J. 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundDevice infection is associated with increased mortality in patients receiving cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) therapy. However, long‐term mortality associated with CIED infections has not been systematically analyzed in larger studies. This study sought to determine the long‐term mortality associated with CIED infection in a large cohort of Medicare beneficiaries.MethodsWe used a retrospective study design to analyze 3‐year mortality in 200,219 Medicare fee‐for‐service patients admitted for CIED generator implantation, replacement, or revision between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007. Multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, race, and 28 comorbidities was performed to determine the relative risk (RR) of death in the 12 quarters following CIED infection.ResultsPatients with CIED infection, compared to device recipients without infection, had increased mortality that persisted for at least 3 years after the admission quarter for all device types: pacemakers (PMs: 53.8% vs 33%; P < 0.001), implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD: 47.7% vs 31.6%; P < 0.001), and cardiac resynchronization therapy‐defibrillator (CRT‐D: 50.8% vs 36.5%; P < 0.001). After adjusting for patient demographics and comorbidities, significantly increased RR of death following CIED infection persisted for at least 3 years following PM infection, and for at least 2 years with single‐ and dual‐chamber ICD infection.ConclusionsCIED recipients who develop device infection have increased, device‐dependent, long‐term mortality even after successful treatment of infection. The etiology of this persistent increased risk of death associated with CIED infection is unknown and merits further investigation.
Hybrid dwarfness in crosses between wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.): a new look at an old phenomenon
Authors: Tikhenko N. , Rutten T. , Tsvetkova N. , Voylokov A. , Börner A. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe existence of hybrid dwarfs from intraspecific crosses in wheat (Triticum aestivum) was described 100 years ago, and the genetics underlying hybrid dwarfness are well understood. In this study, we report a dwarf phenotype in interspecific hybrids between wheat and rye (Secale cereale). We identified two rye lines that produce hybrid dwarfs with wheat and have none of the hitherto known hybrid dwarfing genes. Genetic analyses revealed that both rye lines carry a single allelic gene responsible for the dwarf phenotype. This gene was designated Hdw‐R1 (Hybrid dwarf‐R1). Application of gibberellic acid (GA3) to both intraspecific (wheat–wheat) and interspecific (wheat–rye) hybrids showed that hybrid dwarfness cannot be overcome by treatment with this phytohormone. Histological analysis of shoot apices showed that wheat–rye hybrids with the dwarf phenotype at 21 and 45 days after germination failed to develop further. Shoot apices of dwarf plants did not elongate, did not form new primordia and had a dome‐shaped appearance in the seed. The possible relationship between hybrid dwarfness and the genes responsible for the transition from vegetative to generative growth stage is discussed.
Xenia and metaxenia in grapes: differences in berry and seed characteristics of maternal grape cv. ‘Narince’ (Vitis viniferaL.) as influenced by different pollen sources
Authors: Sabir A. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractLiterature investigations indicate that the grapes have quite complex fertilisation biology. This complexity necessitates extensive investigations to obtain reliable knowledge for both well‐organised hybridisation studies and maximising grape yield. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the influences of self‐, free‐ and cross‐pollination on berry and seed characteristics in grape. Five different pollination treatments were applied to ‘Narince’, the most widely known and popular white wine grape in Turkey. Pollen tests indicated that all the cultivars had satisfactoryin vitropollen viability percentages. Free‐pollination produced a significantly higher percentage berry set. Among the pollinizers, the use of pollen of ‘Thompson Seedless’ and ‘Cardinal’ varieties resulted in higher berry set percentage in ‘Narince’. The free‐pollination was also superior in giving the highest weight, length and width of the berry, as well as number of seeds per berry. These findings revealed that there were strong xenial and metaxenial effects in the studied grape cultivars. Among the pollinizer cultivars, the most effective pollinator was ‘Thompson Seedless’. Hence, for better berry set and quality, the use of ‘Thompson Seedless’ as a pollinizer may be an attractive option in both grape production and breeding studies.
Impact of systematic HIV testing on case finding and retention in care at a primary care clinic in South Africa
Authors: Clouse Kate , Hanrahan Colleen F. , Bassett Jean , Fox Matthew P. , Sanne Ian , Van Rie Annelies 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectiveSystematic, opt‐out HIV counselling and testing (HCT) may diagnose individuals at lower levels of immunodeficiency but may impact loss to follow‐up (LTFU) if healthier people are less motivated to engage and remain in HIV care. We explored LTFU and patient clinical outcomes under two different HIV testing strategies.MethodsWe compared patient characteristics and retention in care between adults newly diagnosed with HIV by either voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) plus targeted provider‐initiated counselling and testing (PITC) or systematic HCT at a primary care clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa.ResultsOne thousand one hundred and forty‐four adults were newly diagnosed by VCT/PITC and 1124 by systematic HCT. Two‐thirds of diagnoses were in women. Median CD4 count at HIV diagnosis (251 vs. 264 cells/μl, P = 0.19) and proportion of individuals eligible for antiretroviral therapy (ART) (67.2% vs. 66.7%, P = 0.80) did not differ by HCT strategy. Within 1 year of HIV diagnosis, half were LTFU: 50.5% under VCT/PITC and 49.6% under systematic HCT (P = 0.64). The overall hazard of LTFU was not affected by testing policy (aHR 0.98, 95%CI: 0.87–1.10). Independent of HCT strategy, males, younger adults and those ineligible for ART were at higher risk of LTFU.ConclusionsImplementation of systematic HCT did not increase baseline CD4 count. Overall retention in the first year after HIV diagnosis was low (37.9%), especially among those ineligible for ART, but did not differ by testing strategy. Expansion of HIV testing should coincide with effective strategies to increase retention in care, especially among those not yet eligible for ART at initial diagnosis.
Socio‐economic and environmental effects influencing the development of leprosy in Bahia, north‐eastern Brazil
Authors: Cabral‐Miranda William , Chiaravalloti Neto Francisco , Barrozo Ligia V. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate spatial clusters and possible associations between relative risks of leprosy with socio‐economic and environmental factors, taking into account diagnosed cases in children under 15 years old.MethodsAn ecological study was conceived using data aggregated by municipality to identify possible spatial clusters of leprosy from 2005 to 2011. Relative risks were calculated accounting for the respective covariate gender. The second stage of the analysis consisted of verifying possible associations between the relative risks of leprosy as a dependent variable, and socio‐economic and environmental variables as independent. This was performed using a multivariate regression analysis according to a previously defined conceptual framework.ResultsOverall rates have decreased from 0.88/10 000 in 2005 to 0.52 in 2011. Spatial scan statistics identified 4 high‐risk and 6 low‐risk clusters. In the regression model, after allowing for spatial dependence, relative risks were associated with higher percentage of water bodies, higher Gini index, higher percentage of urban population, larger average number of dwellers by permanent residence and smaller percentage of residents born in Bahia.ConclusionsAlthough relative risks of leprosy in Bahia have been decreasing, they remain very high. The association between relative risks of leprosy and water bodies in the proposed geographic scale indicates that hypothesis linkingM. lepraeand humid environments cannot be discarded. Socio‐economic conditions such as inequality, a greater number of dwellers by residence and migration are derived from the urbanisation process carried out in this State. Precarious settlements and poor living conditions in the cities would favour the continuity of leprosy transmission.
Serum insulin‐like growth factor 1 in the aging horse
Authors: Lygren Tone , Hansen Sanni , Langberg Henning , Fjeldborg Julie , Jacobsen Stine , Nielsen Mette O. , Schjerling Peter , Markussen Bo , Thomsen Preben D. , Berg Lise C. 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundInsulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) has important roles in anabolic processes in the musculoskeletal system and has been reported to decrease with age in both people and horses.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine serum IGF‐1 levels in the aging horse from early to late adulthood (age range 5–27 years).MethodsHealthy horses (n = 72) were used in a cross‐sectional study, while 37 paired serum samples were available for a longitudinal study. Serum IGF‐1 protein was determined using an ELISA kit validated for use in equine samples.ResultsNo association was found between serum IGF‐1 levels and age in the cross‐sectional study. In the longitudinal study, a latent variable model fitted to the data revealed that horses in general experienced a 5.2% increase of serum IGF‐1 levels over a 5‐year period, but horses crossing a change point around 9 years of age between the 2 samples experienced an 11.0% decrease.ConclusionsIn this study, there was no evidence for aging being a factor in changes of IGF‐1 levels in an adult and old horse population.