bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DoesWolbachiainfection affect decision‐making in a parasitic wasp?
Authors: Kishani Farahani Hossein , Ashouri Ahmad , Goldansaz Seyed Hossein , Farrokhi Shahram , Ainouche Abdelkader , van Baaren Joan 
Published: March 2015

AbstractVarious physiological effects ofWolbachiainfection have been reported in invertebrates, but the impact of this infection on behavior and the consequences of these behavioral modifications on fitness have rarely been studied. Here, we investigate the effect ofWolbachiainfection on the estimation of host nutritive resource quality in a parasitoid wasp. We compare decision‐making in uninfected andWolbachia‐infected strains ofTrichogramma brassicaeBezdenko (Hymenoptera:Trichogrammatidae) on patches containing either fresh or old host eggs. For both strains, fresh eggs were better hosts than older eggs, but the difference was smaller for the infected strain than for the uninfected strain. Oviposition behavior of uninfected wasps followed the predictions of optimal foraging theory. They behaved differently toward high‐ vs. low‐quality hosts, with more hosts visited and more ovipositions, fewer high‐quality hosts used for feeding or superparasitism, and a sex ratio that was more biased toward females in patches containing high‐quality hosts than in patches containing low‐quality ones. Uninfected wasps also displayed shorter acceptance and rejection times in high‐quality hosts than in hosts of lower quality. In contrast, infected wasps were less efficient in evaluating the nutritive quality of the host (fresh vs. old eggs) and had a reduced ability to discriminate between unparasitized and parasitized hosts. Furthermore, they needed more energy and therefore engaged in host feeding more often. This study highlights possible decision‐making manipulation byWolbachia, and we discuss its consequences forWolbachiafitness.
d‐amino acid oxidase knockout (Dao−/−) mice show enhanced short‐term memory performance and heightened anxiety, but no sleep or circadian rhythm disruption
Authors: Pritchett David , Hasan Sibah , Tam Shu K. E. , Engle Sandra J. , Brandon Nicholas J. , Sharp Trevor , Foster Russell G. , Harrison Paul J. , Bannerman David M. , Peirson Stuart N. 
Published: March 2015

Abstractd‐amino acid oxidase (DAO, DAAO) is an enzyme that degrades d‐serine, the primary endogenous co‐agonist of the synaptic N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor. Convergent evidence implicates DAO in the pathophysiology and potential treatment of schizophrenia. To better understand the functional role of DAO, we characterized the behaviour of the first genetically engineered Dao knockout (Dao−/−) mouse. Our primary objective was to assess both spatial and non‐spatial short‐term memory performance. Relative to wildtype (Dao+/+) littermate controls, Dao−/− mice demonstrated enhanced spatial recognition memory performance, improved odour recognition memory performance, and enhanced spontaneous alternation in the T‐maze. In addition, Dao−/− mice displayed increased anxiety‐like behaviour in five tests of approach/avoidance conflict: the open field test, elevated plus maze, successive alleys, light/dark box and novelty‐suppressed feeding. Despite evidence of a reciprocal relationship between anxiety and sleep and circadian function in rodents, we found no evidence of sleep or circadian rhythm disruption in Dao−/− mice. Overall, our observations are consistent with, and extend, findings in the natural mutant ddY/Dao− line. These data add to a growing body of preclinical evidence linking the inhibition, inactivation or deletion of DAO with enhanced cognitive performance. Our results have implications for the development of DAO inhibitors as therapeutic agents.
Pupil size reveals preparatory processes in the generation of pro‐saccades and anti‐saccades
Authors: Wang Chin‐An , Brien Donald C. , Munoz Douglas P. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe ability to generate flexible behaviors to accommodate changing goals in response to identical sensory stimuli is a signature that is inherited in humans and higher‐level animals. In the oculomotor system, this function has often been examined with the anti‐saccade task, in which subjects are instructed, prior to stimulus appearance, to either automatically look at the peripheral stimulus (pro‐saccade) or to suppress the automatic response and voluntarily look in the opposite direction from the stimulus (anti‐saccade). Distinct neural preparatory activity between the pro‐saccade and anti‐saccade conditions has been well documented, particularly in the superior colliculus (SC) and the frontal eye field (FEF), and this has shown higher inhibition‐related fixation activity in preparation for anti‐saccades than in preparation for pro‐saccades. Moreover, the level of preparatory activity related to motor preparation is negatively correlated with reaction times. We hypothesised that preparatory signals may be reflected in pupil size through a link between the SC and the pupil control circuitry. Here, we examined human pupil dynamics during saccade preparation prior to the execution of pro‐saccades and anti‐saccades. Pupil size was larger in preparation for correct anti‐saccades than in preparation for correct pro‐saccades and erroneous pro‐saccades made in the anti‐saccade condition. Furthermore, larger pupil dilation prior to stimulus appearance accompanied saccades with faster reaction times, with a trial‐by‐trial correlation between dilation size and anti‐saccade reaction times. Overall, our results demonstrate that pupil size is modulated by saccade preparation, and neural activity in the SC, together with the FEF, supports these findings, providing unique insights into the neural substrate coordinating cognitive processing and pupil diameter.
BREMSO: a simple score to predict early the natural course of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bergamaschi R. , Montomoli C. , Mallucci G. , Lugaresi A. , Izquierdo G. , Grand'Maison F. , Duquette P. , Shaygannejad V. , Alroughani R. , Grammond P. , Boz C. , Iuliano G. , Zwanikken C. , Petersen T. , Lechner‐Scott J. , Hupperts R. , Butzkueven H. , Pucci E. , Oreja‐Guevara C. , Cristiano E. , Pia Amato M. P. , Havrdova E. , Fernandez‐Bolanos R. , Spelman T. , Trojano M. 
Published: March 2015

Background and purposeEarly prediction of long‐term disease evolution is a major challenge in the management of multiple sclerosis (MS). Our aim was to predict the natural course of MS using the Bayesian Risk Estimate for MS at Onset (BREMSO), which gives an individual risk score calculated from demographic and clinical variables collected at disease onset.MethodsAn observational study was carried out collecting data from MS patients included in MSBase, an international registry. Disease impact was studied using the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) and time to secondary progression (SP). To evaluate the natural history of the disease, patients were analysed only if they did not receive immune therapies or only up to the time of starting these therapies.ResultsData from 14 211 patients were analysed. The median BREMSO score was significantly higher in the subgroups of patients whose disease had a major clinical impact (MSSS≥ third quartile vs. ≤ first quartile, P < 0.00001) and who reached SP (P < 0.00001). The BREMSO showed good specificity (79%) as a tool for predicting the clinical impact of MS.ConclusionsBREMSO is a simple tool which can be used in the early stages of MS to predict its evolution, supporting therapeutic decisions in an observational setting.
Report of a pest risk analysis for Platypus parallelus (Fabricus, 1801) for Turkey
Authors: Gümüş E. M. , Ergün A. 
Published: March 2015

Invasive bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae and Platypodinae) are increasingly responsible for damage to forests, plantations and orchards worldwide. They are usually closely associated with fungi, which may be pathogenic causing tree mortality. Stressed or weakened trees are particularly subject to attack, as is recently felled, non‐treated wood. This PRA report concerns the ambrosia beetle Platypus parallelus (Euplatypus parallelus, Fabricus, 1801) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), which was detected in official controls. The PRA area is Turkey. P. parallelus is not on the A1 or A2 list for Turkey but the Regulation on Plant Quarantine (3 December 2011‐OJ no: 28131) Article 13 (5) indicates that pests which are assessed to pose a risk for Turkey following PRA that are not present in the above lists and plants, wood, plant products and other materials contaminated by these organisms are banned from entry into Turkey. This risk assessment follows the EPPO Standard PM 5/3(5) Decision‐support scheme for quarantine pests and uses the terminology defined in ISPM 5 Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms. This paper addresses the possible risk factors caused by Platypus parallelus (Euplatypus parallelus, Fabricus, 1801) in Turkey.
Carbonate fabrics in the modern microbialites of Pavilion Lake: two suites of microfabrics that reflect variation in microbial community morphology, growth habit, and lithification
Authors: Theisen C. Harwood , Sumner D. Y. , Mackey T. J. , Lim D. S. S. , Brady A. L. , Slater G. F. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractModern microbialites in Pavilion Lake, BC, provide an analog for ancient non‐stromatolitic microbialites that formed from in situ mineralization. Because Pavilion microbialites are mineralizing under the influence of microbial communities, they provide insights into how biological processes influence microbialite microfabrics and mesostructures. Hemispherical nodules and micrite–microbial crusts are two mesostructures within Pavilion microbialites that are directly associated with photosynthetic communities. Both filamentous cyanobacteria in hemispherical nodules and branching filamentous green algae in micrite–microbial crusts were associated with calcite precipitation at microbialite surfaces and with characteristic microfabrics in the lithified microbialite. Hemispherical nodules formed at microbialite surfaces when calcite precipitated around filamentous cyanobacteria with a radial growth habit. The radial filament pattern was preserved within the microbialite to varying degrees. Some subsurface nodules contained well‐defined filaments, whereas others contained only dispersed organic inclusions. Variation in filament preservation is interpreted to reflect differences in timing and amount of carbonate precipitation relative to heterotrophic decay, with more defined filaments reflecting greater lithification prior to degradation than more diffuse filaments. Micrite–microbial crusts produce the second suite of microfabrics and form in association with filamentous green algae oriented perpendicular to the microbialite surface. Some crusts include calcified filaments, whereas others contained voids that reflect the filamentous community in shape, size, and distribution. Pavilion microbialites demonstrate that microfabric variation can reflect differences in lithification processes and microbial metabolisms as well as microbial community morphology and organization. Even when the morphology of individual filaments or cells is not well preserved, the microbial growth habit can be captured in mesoscale microbialite structures. These results suggest that when petrographic preservation is extremely good, ancient microbialite growth structures and microfabrics can be interpreted in the context of variation in community organization, community composition, and lithification history. Even in the absence of distinct microbial microfabrics, mesostructures can capture microbial community morphology.
Insensitivity of soil biological communities to phosphorus fertilization in intensively managed grassland systems
Authors: Massey P. A. , Creamer R. E. , Whelan M. J. , Ritz K. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractEfficient soil P cycling is essential for promoting optimal and sustainable grassland growth. The soil biological community is regarded as an important source of available P to the plant community. However, the effects of P fertilization on the soil biota are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of P fertilization on plant and soil biological communities in two intensively managed grassland sites that had been receiving mineral‐based P fertilization over a 14‐year period. Both pastures had been frequently cut and harvested for plant material and had received only inorganic fertilizers from the establishment of the trial. Both sites were sampled four times from October 2009 to April 2011 and plant and a range of soil biological parameters were determined at each sampling period. The main findings of this study showed that soil chemical measures, such as labile inorganic P and total P concentrations, and plant yield and P contents responded as expected to P fertilization. However, all soil biological parameters either showed no response or inconsistent responses to P fertilization over the experimental period. This study indicates that intensive management regimes, for example intensive plant harvesting and fertilizer regimes, appear to override the relationship between plant and soil biological communities with respect to their response to P fertilization, and thus their productivity is apparently not predicated upon biotic activity.
GPs’ perceptions and experiences of public awareness campaigns for cancer: a qualitative enquiry
Authors: Green Trish , Atkin Karl , Macleod Una 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundPublic awareness campaigns for cancer are used to alert the UK population to symptoms which, if experienced, should be discussed with their general practitioner (GP). More timely diagnosis of cancer is assumed possible if patients with the appropriate symptoms present to GPs and GPs recognise the need to act on these symptoms.ObjectiveTo investigate GPs’ perceptions and experiences of public awareness campaigns for cancer.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews with 55 GPs from practices in the North and North East of England and Greater London. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Repeated reading of GP transcripts engendered thematic analysis and co‐coding ensured legitimacy of findings.ResultsParticipants supported the underpinning ethos of public health campaigns and articulated a commitment to engaging with patients with respect to cancer warning signs and symptoms despite the common perception that public awareness campaigns increased numbers of consultations. Tensions were evident with regard to increased demands on GP time and primary care resources during a period of major upheaval within the NHS. Concern was raised that some patients remain outwith the reach of campaign messages. The complexity of addressing how public health messages compete with other issues in people's lives was identified as challenging.ConclusionsGeneral practitioners provided insight into why some members of the general public do not engage with public health messages. Public health/primary care interaction that incorporates GPs' knowledge of their patient populations could advance the search for solutions to a more robust approach to earlier cancer recognition and referral in primary care.
The influence of two reciprocating single‐file and two rotary‐file systems on the apical extrusion of debris and its biological relationship with symptomatic apical periodontitis. A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Caviedes‐Bucheli J. , Castellanos F. , Vasquez N. , Ulate E. , Munoz H. R. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis systematic review and meta‐analysis investigated the influence of the number of files (full‐sequence rotary‐file versus reciprocating single‐file systems) used during root canal preparation on the apical extrusion of debris and its biological relationship with the occurrence of symptomatic apical periodontitis. An extensive literature research was carried out in the Medline, ISI Web of Science and Cochrane databases, for relevant articles with the keyword search strategy. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers independently rated the quality of each study determining the level of evidence of the articles selected. The primary outcome for the meta‐analysis was determined by the amount of debris extruded into the periapical tissue during root canal preparation with multiple‐ or single‐file systems in four laboratory studies. Analysis of in vivo release of neuropeptides (SP and CGRP) after root canal preparation with single‐ or multiple‐file systems was also carried out. Amongst the 128 articles initially found, 113 were excluded for being nonrelevant or not fulfilling the selection criteria. Another four articles were excluded after methodology evaluation. Finally, nine laboratory studies and two in vivo studies were included in the systematic review. Four of the laboratory studies were further included for meta‐analysis that revealed greater debris extrusion after the use of single‐file techniques when compared to multiple‐file systems. Analysis of in vivo neuropeptide expression in the periodontal ligament suggests that the design of the instrument is more important than the number of files used. Both rotary and reciprocating single‐file systems generate apical extrusion of debris in laboratory studies, or expression of neuropeptides in vivo. Available evidence is limited, but supports the fact that this inflammatory reaction is not influenced by the number of files but the type of movement and the instrument design.
Wild boars from Sweden, Austria, the Czech Republic and Japan possess intact mannose‐binding lectin 2 (MBL2) genes
Authors: Bergman I. M. , Okumura N. , Uenishi H. , Hammer S. E. , Knoll A. , Edfors I. , Juul‐Madsen H. R. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryThe two‐nucleotide deletion recently detected in the mannose‐binding lectin 2 gene in purebred and crossbred domestic pigs was not found among 68 wild boars representing 4 populations from Europe and Asia. This suggests that the deletion is a result of breeding and/or genetic drift/bottle necks.
Identification of reference microRNAs for quantitative expression analysis in porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells treated with polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid
Authors: Wang H. , Wang J. , Sun S. , Wang Y. , Guo J. , Ning C. , Yang K. , Liu J.‐ F. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are clinically important cells. Detection of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression in PBMCs can be useful for miRNA biomarker discovery for various diseases. Quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) has become an important method used for measuring miRNAs expression. However, the reliability of qRT‐PCR data critically depends on proper selection of reference genes. Here, we performed qRT‐PCR to quantify the expression levels of nine miRNAs (Ssc‐miR‐16, Hsa‐miR‐25, Ssc‐miR‐34a, Hsa‐miR‐93, Bta‐miR‐92b, Ssc‐miR‐103, Ssc‐miR‐106a, Ssc‐miR‐128 and Ssc‐miR‐107) and one small nuclear RNA (U6) in PBMCs treated with polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid [poly (I:C)] that widely used for simulating viral infection. We used the four statistical algorithms (GeNorm 3.5, NormFinder, BestKeeper and comparative ∆ Ct method) to evaluate gene expression stability and observed that Ssc‐miR‐34a was the best single reference gene and the pair of Ssc‐miR‐107 and Ssc‐miR‐103 was the best combination of reference miRNAs for porcine PBMCs treated with poly (I:C). Our study shows the first evidence of careful selection of reference miRNAs in porcine PBMCs and maybe helpful for discovering miRNA biomarkers for double‐stranded RNA‐induced disease.
Parents’ perceptions of microneedle-mediated monitoring as an alternative to blood sampling in the monitoring of their infants
Authors: Mooney Karen , McElnay James C , Donnelly Ryan F 
Published: March 2015

Abstract

Objectives
Microneedle (MN) arrays could offer a pain-free, minimally invasive approach to monitoring. This is envisaged to be particularly beneficial for younger patients, but parents’ views to date are unknown. The aim of this study was to explore parental perceptions of MN-mediated ISF monitoring, as an alternative to the use of conventional blood sampling, and to understand the important factors for technique approval.

Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents with recent experience of a premature birth. Recruitment was through the Northern Ireland premature infant charity, Tinylife. Interviews progressed until data saturation was reached and thematic analysis employed.

Key findings
The study included 16 parents. Parental support for MN-mediated monitoring was evident, alongside the unpopularity of traditional blood sampling in neonates. Factors facilitating MN approval included the opportunity for pain reduction, the simplicity of the procedure, the potential for increased parental involvement and the more favourable appearance, owing to the minute size of MNs and similarities with a sticking plaster. Confirmation of correct application, a pain-free patch removal and endorsement from trusted healthcare professionals were important.

Conclusion
These findings will inform researchers in the field of MN development and enlighten practitioners regarding parental distress resulting from conventional blood sampling. Further work is necessary to understand MN acceptability among practitioners. This work should assist in the development of an acceptable MN device and facilitate the reduction of parental distress.AUTHOR: The abbreviations section has been deleted, and the full forms of the terms mentioned therein have been incorporated in the text. Please confirm if this is okay.
Intravesical hyaluronic acid treatment improves bacterial cystitis and reduces cystitis‐induced hypercontractility in rats
Authors: Yıldız Nurdan , Alpay Harika , Tuğtepe Halil , Özdemir Kumral Zarife Nigar , Akakın Dilek , İlki Arzu , Şener Göksel , Ç Yeğen Berrak 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of intravesical hyaluronic acid on Escherichia coli‐induced cystitis and cystitis‐induced hypercontractility in rats.MethodsBacterial cystitis was induced in Wistar female rats by intravesical inoculation of E. coli. Isotonic saline was instilled in the control group (n = 6). The rats were either non‐treated, treated with gentamycin (4 mg/kg, 5 days) or treated intravesically with hyaluronic acid (0.5 mL, 0.5%). On the eighth day, the bladder tissues were excised for histological examination, and the measurements of myeloperoxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Contraction/relaxation responses to carbachol, isoprotrenol and papaverine were studied.ResultsTissue myeloperoxidase activity was increased, but superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were decreased in bacterial cystitis, while hyaluronic acid treatment reversed these changes. In the hyaluronic acid‐treated group, healing of the uroepithelium was observed, while decreased inflammatory cell infiltration was obvious in gentamycin‐treated group. E. coli‐induced cystitis in all rats resulted in increased contraction responses to carbachol compared with controls (P < 0.01). Treatment with hyaluronic acid, but not gentamycin, significantly (P < 0.05) depressed hypercontractility at maximum carbachol concentrations. In all rats with cystitis, papaverine‐induced relaxation was increased, whereas isoproterenol‐induced relaxation curves were not different between the studied groups.ConclusionGentamycin treatment, despite its ameliorative effect on inflammation, had no impact on the contractile dysfunction of the injured bladder. Intravesical hyaluronic acid, in addition to its supportive role in the healing of the epithelium, seems to lower the increased threshold for contraction and to reduce oxidative stress. These findings support a potential role for hyaluronic acid in the treatment of bacterial cystitis.