bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical Repair of a Congenital Sternal Cleft in a Cat
Authors: Schwarzkopf Ilona , Bavegems Valerie C. A. , Vandekerckhove Peter M. F. P. , Melis Sanne M. , Cornillie Pieter , de Rooster Hilde 
Published: June 2014

ObjectiveTo describe the clinical findings, diagnosis, and treatment of an incomplete cleft of the 5th–8th sternebra and a cranioventral abdominal wall hernia in a 2 month old Ragdoll kitten and to evaluate the short‐ and long‐term outcome.Study DesignClinical report.AnimalsRagdoll cat (n = 1), 2 months old.MethodsSternal cleft was confirmed by thoracic radiographs. Computed tomography (CT) was used to plan an optimal surgical approach. A ventral median incision was made, starting at the 3rd sternebra and extended into the abdomen. Ostectomy of the proximal part of the 5th left sternebra was performed. Lateral periosteal flaps were created, unfolded, and absorbable monofilament sutures preplaced to facilitate closure and the repair was reinforced by 2 peristernal sutures. A bone graft was applied, and the free margin of the omentum was sutured to the cranial aspect of the wound.ResultsNo major complications occurred. At 3 weeks, CT scan confirmed approximation of the hemisternebrae and at 10 months, complete fusion of the hemisternebrae had not occurred, but a strong connection of the sternal bars was present.ConclusionSternal cleft is a rare congenital abnormality that can be corrected surgically with favorable outcome.
Thermal Properties of Transparent Yb‐Doped YAG Ceramics at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Hostaša Jan , Matějíček Jiří , Nait‐Ali Benoît , Smith David S. , Pabst Willi , Esposito Laura 
Published: June 2014

This work presents the thermal properties of ytterbium‐doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Yb:YAG) transparent ceramics at elevated temperatures in dependence on the dopant concentration and on temperature. Transparent polycrystalline Yb:YAG ceramics were prepared by solid‐state reaction of oxide powders sintered under high vacuum. The dopant amount varied from 0 to 20 at.% of Yb. Thermal diffusivity of the sintered samples was measured by the laser and xenon flash methods at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 900°C. Both the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity values decreased with increasing dopant content, and until 500°C a decrease was observed also with increasing temperature. When available, the measured values were compared to data published in literature, and were found to be in good agreement. Based on the measured values, empirical relations in the form of shifted power laws are proposed for the temperature dependence of thermal diffusivity.
Evidence against a Pleistocene desert refugium in the Lower Colorado River Basin
Authors: Holmgren Camille A. , Betancourt Julio L. , Peñalba M. Cristina , Delgadillo José , Zuravnsky Kristin , Hunter Kimberly L. , Rylander Kate A. , Weiss Jeremy L. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAimThe absence of Sonoran Desert plants in late Pleistocene‐aged packrat middens has led to speculation that they survived glacial episodes either in refugia as intact associations (Clementsian community concept) or in dry microsites within chaparral or woodland according to individualistic species responses (Gleasonian community concept). To test these hypotheses, we developed a midden record from one likely refugium in north‐eastern Baja California, Mexico. We also measured stomatal guard cell size in fossil leaves to further evaluate site‐level individualistic responses of Larrea tridentata (creosote bush) ploidy races to climatic changes, including monsoonal history, over the late Quaternary.LocationSierra Juárez, Lower Colorado River Basin, north‐eastern Baja California, Mexico.MethodsPackrat (Neotoma) middens were collected from ˂ 300 m elevation on the eastern piedmont of the Sierra Juárez. Plant macrofossils and pollen were analysed from 50 dated middens, including determination of Larrea tridentata ploidy races.ResultsPleistocene middens dating back to > 55,000 cal. yr bp contained a mix of extralocal species characteristic of chaparral and pinyon–juniper–oak woodland, along with some modern desert elements. Many other desert taxa were absent during the Pleistocene, although most had arrived by the beginning of the Holocene 11,700 years ago.Main conclusionsThe assemblage of chaparral, woodland and select desert elements refutes the hypothesis that the Lower Colorado River Basin served as a late Pleistocene refugium for Sonoran Desert flora. The rapid arrival of most missing desert species by the early Holocene suggests they did not have far to migrate. They probably survived the last glacial period as smaller, disparate populations in dry microsites within chaparral and pinyon–juniper–oak woodlands. Diploid and tetraploid races of Larrea tridentata were present during the Pleistocene, but hexaploids did not appear until the mid‐Holocene. This demonstrates that individualistic responses to climate involved genetic variants, in this case cytotypes, and not just species.
Pleistocene climate fluctuations influence phylogeographical patterns in Melomys cervinipes across the mesic forests of eastern Australia
Authors: Bryant Litticia M. , Fuller Susan J. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAimOur aim was to clarify the lineage‐level relationships for Melomys cervinipes and its close relatives and investigate whether the patterns of divergence observed for these wet‐forest‐restricted mammals may be associated with recognized biogeographical barriers.LocationMesic closed forest along the east coast of Australia, from north Queensland to mid‐eastern New South Wales.MethodsTo enable rigorous phylogenetic reconstruction, divergence‐date estimation and phylogeographical inference, we analysed DNA sequence and microsatellite data from 307 specimens across the complete distribution of M. cervinipes (45 localities).ResultsThree divergent genetic lineages were found within M. cervinipes, corresponding to geographically delineated northern, central and southern clades. Additionally, a fourth lineage, comprising M. rubicola and M. capensis, was identified and was most closely related to the northern M. cervinipes lineage. Secondary contact of the northern and central lineages was identified at one locality to the north of the Burdekin Gap.Main conclusionsContemporary processes of repeated habitat fragmentation and contraction, local extinction events and subsequent re‐expansion across both small and large areas, coupled with the historical influence of the Brisbane Valley Barrier, the St Lawrence Gap and the Burdekin Gap, have contributed to the present phylogeographical structure within M. cervinipes. Our study highlights the need to sample close to the periphery of putative biogeographical barriers or risk missing vital phylogeographical information that may significantly alter the interpretation of biogeographical hypotheses.
Population structure and dynamics of Arctic willow (Salix arctica) in the High Arctic
Authors: Boulanger‐Lapointe Noémie , Lévesque Esther , Boudreau Stéphane , Henry Gregory H. R. , Schmidt Niels Martin 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAimAlterations to the abundance and distribution of plants, especially shrubs, have been predicted by warming experiments and confirmed by remote‐sensing analyses and land‐based observations in the Low Arctic. In the High Arctic, analyses of satellite images suggest a recent increase in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and warming experiments have shown a positive correlation between temperature and shrub cover, but little is known about the responses of natural systems. In this context, we investigated populations of Arctic willow (Salix arcticaPall.) to assess the potential contribution of this structuring species to High Arctic shrubification.LocationSeven polar semidesert sites, including two glacier forelands, in High Arctic Canada and Greenland.MethodsWe evaluated the size distribution and establishment age of Arctic willow populations through field measurements and dendrochronological analysis. We also assessed the cover of Arctic willow at each site and compared current data with historical records.ResultsAge determination of over 200 large individuals established by seed suggests that colonization events were associated with the melting of permanent snow and glacial ice. Size distributions showed that recent recruitment was more frequent on glacier forelands, even though seedling establishment was common in other sites. Comparing our measurements with previous studies at the same sites revealed that significant increases in cover over the past few decades occurred only on glacier forelands.Main conclusionsOur results suggest that the population structure and dynamics of Arctic willow in the High Arctic are influenced by site‐specific factors. Rapid glacier retreat is increasing the extent of the glacier forelands, which are currently experiencing relatively rapid plant colonization. Some sheltered sites with greater snow accumulation will probably experience increased shrub colonization under current and predicted climate change. It appears, however, that shrub recruitment and growth are still strongly limited by water availability, and the reduction in permanent snow cover may exacerbate this stress.
Longitudinal variation and effects of habitat on biodiversity of Australasian temperate reef fishes
Authors: Smith Helen L. , Anderson Marti J. , Gillanders Bronwyn M. , Connell Sean D. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAimLatitudinal gradients in marine biodiversity of fishes are well documented but comparatively little is known about longitudinal patterns. The objective of this study was to describe the distributional patterns in biodiversity and assemblage structure of temperate reef‐associated fishes in two habitats (kelp forests and open reefs) in each of four regions at comparable latitudes spanning a large longitudinal range (> 5000 km; 117.91° E–174.81° E).LocationNew Zealand, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.MethodsTotal abundance, species richness, evenness, average taxonomic distinctness and variation in taxonomic distinctness were calculated from underwater visual counts of individual fish species and were analysed using ANOVA. Compositional change in fish communities was analysed using PERMANOVA and non‐metric multi‐dimensional scaling at the species level and at the family level.ResultsPatterns in univariate diversity measures did not show a clear longitudinal gradient and depended on the particular variable being considered. There was, however, a clear longitudinal gradient of turnover in species composition but this disappeared in family‐level analyses. The effects of habitat were also relatively stronger in family‐level analyses.Main conclusionsWe propose that ecological communities in similar habitats may be assembled according to a general ‘village hypothesis’, whereby an assemblage contains certain essential functional components. Regions having similar environmental characteristics are expected to have a full suite of these functional components. Thus, provided families reflect functional forms, this may explain the similarity among communities from vastly different regions when analysed at the family level. In contrast, the radiation of species within families may be regionally specific, depending on the history of oceanographic connectivity, microclimate and finer niche specialization, thus yielding strong regional differences in composition at this finer taxonomic level.
A conceptualization of intended learning outcomes supporting self‐regulated learners in indicating learning paths
Authors: Tangworakitthaworn P. , Gilbert L. , Wills G.B. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract Intended learning outcomes (ILOs) indicate what learners will be able to achieve after they are taught. Traditionally, ILOs are expressed as plain text or unstructured documents. What if all ILOs of a specific course of study can be conceptualized through a structured diagrammatic technique? It was hypothesized that learners can benefit from this conceptualization in learning, especially in self‐regulated learning. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the ILOs represented in unstructured or structured formats can facilitate learners to identify learning paths. The results revealed that the mean ratings of all learning paths were statistically significantly higher with structured ILOs.
Expression of dual Nucleotides/Cysteinyl‐Leukotrienes Receptor GPR17 in early trafficking of cardiac stromal cells after myocardial infarction
Authors: Cosentino Simona , Castiglioni Laura , Colazzo Francesca , Nobili Elena , Tremoli Elena , Rosa Patrizia , Abbracchio Maria P. , Sironi Luigi , Pesce Maurizio 
Published: June 2014

AbstractGPR17 is a Gi‐coupled dual receptor activated by uracil‐nucleotides and cysteinyl‐leukotrienes. These mediators are massively released into hypoxic tissues. In the normal heart, GPR17 expression has been reported. By contrast, its role in myocardial ischaemia has not yet been assessed. In the present report, the expression of GPR17 was investigated in mice before and at early stages after myocardial infarction by using immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and RT‐PCR. Before induction of ischaemia, results indicated the presence of the receptor in a population of stromal cells expressing the stem‐cell antigen‐1 (Sca‐1). At early stages after ligation of the coronary artery, the receptor was expressed in Sca‐1+ cells, and cells stained with Isolectin‐B4 and anti‐CD45 antibody. GPR17+ cells also expressed mesenchymal marker CD44. GPR17 function was investigated in vitro in a Sca‐1+/CD31− cell line derived from normal hearts. These experiments showed a migratory function of the receptor by treatment with UDP‐glucose and leukotriene LTD4, two GPR17 pharmacological agonists. The GPR17 function was finally assessed in vivo by treating infarcted mice with Cangrelor, a pharmacological receptor antagonist, which, at least in part, inhibited early recruitment of GPR17+ and CD45+ cells. These findings suggest a regulation of heart‐resident mesenchymal cells and blood‐borne cellular species recruitment following myocardial infarction, orchestrated by GPR17.
Relationship between impaired adipogenesis of retroperitoneal adipose tissue and hypertrophic obesity: role of endogenous glucocorticoid excess
Authors: Zubiría María G. , Vidal‐Bravo Juana , Spinedi Eduardo , Giovambattista Andrés 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAlthough the pro‐adipogenic effect of glucocorticoid (GC) on adipose tissue (AT) precursor cell differentiation is openly accepted, the effect of chronically high peripheral levels of GC on AT mass expansion is not fully understood. In the present study, we aim to assess the in vitro adipogenic capacity of AT precursor cells isolated from retroperitoneal (RP) AT pads of the hypercorticosteronaemic, adult neonatally treated monosodium L‐glutamate (MSG) male rat. To ascertain this issue, we explored the in vitro adipogenic process of stromal‐vascular fraction (SVF) cells isolated from RPAT pads of 60‐day‐old MSG rats. The data recorded indicated that RPAT‐SVF cells from hypercorticosteronaemic MSG rats, although displaying an enhanced proliferation capacity, differentiated slower than normal cells. This dysfunction was associated with a reduction in key parameters indicative of precursor cell commitment, differentiation capacity and the percentage of fully differentiated adipocytes, with a retarded maturation process. The distorted adipogenic capacity was highly conditioned by RPAT‐SVF cells displaying a low committed population and both excessive and reduced expression of anti‐ (Pref‐1 and Wnt‐10b) and pro‐adipogenic (mineralocorticoid receptor) signals respectively. Notably, the normalization of peripheral corticosterone levels in MSG rats, as a result of bilateral adrenalectomy combined with GC replacement therapy, fully prevented reduced RPAT precursor cell commitment and overall impaired adipogenesis. Our study strongly supports that the impaired adipogenic process observed in the adult hypertrophic obese MSG male rat is a GC‐dependent mechanism, thus explaining the unhealthy RPAT expansion observed in human hypertrophic obese phenotypes, such as in the Cushing's syndrome.
Scanning electron microscope evidence of telocytes in vasculature
Authors: Li Hua , Lu Shanshan , Liu Hongnian , Ge Junbo , Zhang Hongqi 
Published: June 2014

AbstractHere, we here present scanning electron microscope data for the existent telocytes (TCs) on the endothelial surface of the wall of pig coronary arteries, internal thoracic arteries and carotid arteries. These cells have a small (8.39 ± 1.97 μm/4.95 ± 0.91 μm) cell body of different shapes (from round to triangular, depending on the number of cellular prolongations) with very long (of about 30 μm) and thin cellular processes called telopodes (Tps), which have uneven calibre. The number of Tps ranges between 2 and 6. Tps typically present the alternation of podoms and podomers, and also have a dichotomic branching pattern. These data could influence the current attempts for elucidating the role(s) of TCs.
Can we continue to neglect genomic variation in introgression rates when inferring the history of speciation? A case study in aMytilushybrid zone
Authors: Roux C. , Fraïsse C. , Castric V. , Vekemans X. , Pogson G. H. , Bierne N. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe use of molecular data to reconstruct the history of divergence and gene flow between populations of closely related taxa represents a challenging problem. It has been proposed that the long‐standing debate about the geography of speciation can be resolved by comparing the likelihoods of a model of isolation with migration and a model of secondary contact. However, data are commonly only fit to a model of isolation with migration and rarely tested against the secondary contact alternative. Furthermore, most demographic inference methods have neglected variation in introgression rates and assume that the gene flow parameter (Nm) is similar among loci. Here, we show that neglecting this source of variation can give misleading results. We analysed DNA sequences sampled from populations of the marine mussels,Mytilus edulisandM. galloprovincialis,across a well‐studied mosaic hybrid zone inEurope and evaluated various scenarios of speciation, with or without variation in introgression rates, using anApproximateBayesianComputation (ABC) approach. Models with heterogeneous gene flow across loci always outperformed models assuming equal migration rates irrespective of the history of gene flow being considered. By incorporating this heterogeneity, the best‐supported scenario was a long period of allopatric isolation during the first three‐quarters of the time since divergence followed by secondary contact and introgression during the last quarter. By contrast, constraining migration to be homogeneous failed to discriminate among any of the different models of gene flow tested. Our simulations thus provide statistical support for the secondary contact scenario in the EuropeanMytilushybrid zone that the standard coalescent approach failed to confirm. Our results demonstrate that genomic variation in introgression rates can have profound impacts on the biological conclusions drawn from inference methods and needs to be incorporated in future studies.
Icariin Combined with Breviscapine Improves the Erectile Function of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Li Yongxian , Jiang Jun , He Yanzheng , Jiang Rui , Liu Junxiang , Fan Zhongcai , Cheng Yong 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Introduction
The impaired erectile response in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) is caused by increased signaling of RhoA/Rho-kinase and decreased signaling of nitric oxide (NO). Icariin improves erectile function via upregulating multitargets in NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP) pathway, which breviscapine accomplishes by downregulating RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway.

Aim
To investigate the effect and mechanism of icariin combined with breviscapine on the erectile function of SHR.

Methods
Five 12-week-old male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and 20 age-matched male SHR were evenly randomized into WKY rats control group, SHR control group, icariin-treated group, breviscapine-treated group, and combined treatment group treated by vehicle, icariin, breviscapine, and icariin plus breviscapine, respectively, by gavage for four successive weeks. Maximum intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP) and the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5), and Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 and 2 (ROCK1 and ROCK2) in the cavernous tissues were determined.

Results
The ICPmax/MAP in the combined treatment group was significantly increased compared with SHR control group, icariin-treated group, and breviscapine-treated group. The expression of eNOS and nNOS was significantly higher in the combined treatment group than in SHR control group, icariin-treated group, and breviscapine-treated group (P &lt; 0.05). The expression of PDE5 was significantly lower in the icariin-treated group than in SHR control group (P &lt; 0.05). The expression of ROCK1 was significantly lower in the combined treatment group than in other groups (P &lt; 0.05). The expression of ROCK2 was significantly higher in SHR control group than in WKY rats control group, icariin-treated group, and combined treatment group (P &lt; 0.05). Among these groups, the expression of eNOS and nNOS was the strongest, and ROCK1 was the lowest in WKY rats control group.

Conclusion
Icariin combined with breviscapine has synergistic effects on erectile function of SHR through different signal pathways.
Investigation of cutting methods for small samples of Hayabusa and future sample return missions
Authors: Uesugi Masayuki , Noguchi Ryo , Matsumoto Tooru , Matsuno Junya , Nagano Takashi , Tsuchiyama Akira , Harada Shigenori , Yokoyama Kaori , Yodo Yoshiaki , Takeda Noboru , Yada Toru , Yakame Shogo , Karouji Yuzuru , Ishibashi Yukihiro , Abe Masanao , Okada Tatsuaki , Fujimura Akio , Ebihara Mitsuru , Kitajima Fumio , Nagao Keisuke , Nakamura Tomoki , Naraoka Hiroshi , Noguchi Takaaki , Okazaki Ryuji , Yurimoto Hisayoshi 
Published: June 2014

AbstractWe report the investigation of cutting methods for Hayabusa samples. The purpose of our study is to explore the possibility of applying multiple analyses to a single particle effectively. We investigated the cutting performance of a blade dicing saw, laser, focused ion beam (FIB), and physical breaking by microindenter. Cutting performance was examined by estimating the aspect ratio of the cut slit, i.e., depth over width of the slit. We also investigated the possible contamination and sample damage by cutting. The result of the investigation shows that we can cut the samples from <50 μm to 500 μm using those methods with aspect ratios from 10 to 20, although they would introduce some contamination or damage to the samples. Our investigations also provide an important basis for the analysis of samples obtained by future sample return missions.
Pasinetti after Sen: Towards a Capability Approach to Structural Dynamics of Consumption
Authors: Mori Kenji , Tamate Shintaro 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPasinetti's theory of structural dynamics has, as well as the capability approach, normative implications about income distribution and economic growth. Compared with the latter, however, the individual character of consumption is rather neglected in Pasinetti's framework, but the macro‐economic viability is examined here more intensively as a main issue. In this paper, we will show it possible and fruitful to consistently integrate both complementary approaches and present an analytical foundation of a normative theory of the structural dynamics of consumption.