bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Who flies first? – habitat‐specific phenological shifts of butterflies and orthopterans in the light of climate change: a case study from the south‐eastMediterranean
Authors: ZOGRAFOU KONSTANTINA , ADAMIDIS GEORGE C. , GRILL ANDREA , KATI VASSILIKI , WILSON ROBERT J. , HALLEY JOHN M. 
Published: June 2015

1. Insects undergo phenological change at different rates, showing no consistent trend between habitats, time periods, species or groups. Understanding how and why this variability occurs is crucial.2. Phenological patterns of butterflies andOrthoptera were analysed using a novel approach ofstandardised major axis (SMA) analysis. It was investigated whether: (i) phenology (the mean date and duration of flight) of butterflies andOrthoptera changed from one survey (1998 and 1999 respectively) to another (2011), (ii) the rate at which phenology changed differed between taxa and (iii) phenological change was significantly different across habitat types (agriculture fields, grasslands, and forests). Using the 2011 dataset, we investigated relationships between habitat‐specific variables and species phenology.3. For both groups, late‐emerging species had an advanced onset on the second survey while the duration showed no consistent trend for butterflies and did not change forOrthoptera. Although the rate at which phenology changed was consistent between the two groups, at the habitat level, a longer duration of flight period emerged for butterflies in agriculture fields whileOrthoptera showed no differentiation in flight duration between habitats. We found an earlier emergence of butterflies in grasslands compared to forests, attributed to habitat‐specific temperature, whereas spatial variation in humidity had a significantly lower effect on butterflies' phenology in grasslands compared to forests. A gradual delay of butterfly appearances as the canopy cover increased was also found.4. The utility ofSMAanalysis was demonstrated in phenological studies and evidence was detected that both habitat type and habitat‐specific variables refine species' phenological responses.
Anti‐adherence and bactericidal activity of sphingolipids against Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Cukkemane Nivedita , Bikker Floris J. , Nazmi Kamran , Brand Henk S. , Sotres Javier , Lindh Liselott , Arnebrant Thomas , Veerman Enno C. I. 
Published: June 2015

This study evaluated the anti‐biofilm activity of sphingosine, phytosphingosine (PHS), and sphinganine for: (i) anti‐adherence activity on hydroxyapatite (HA) surfaces; and (ii) bactericidal activity on different Streptococcus mutans phenotypes (i.e. planktonic cells and cells from a disrupted biofilm). For this, HA discs treated with sphingolipids were incubated with S. mutans and the number of adherent cells was evaluated by both culture and confocal microscopy. Sphinganine strongly inhibited bacterial adherence by 1000‐fold compared with an untreated surface. Phytosphingosine and sphingosine inhibited bacterial adherence by eight‐ and five‐fold, respectively, compared with an untreated surface. On saliva‐coated HA, sphinganine and PHS inhibited bacterial adherence by 10‐fold. Bactericidal activity of sphingolipids was evaluated by culture. For biofilms, the strongest bactericidal activity was exhibited by sphingosine compared with PHS and sphinganine. At a concentration of 12.5 μg ml−1, PHS and sphingosine were profoundly effective against planktonic and disrupted biofilms; and sphinganine reduced the number of cells in planktonic form by 100‐fold and those derived from a disrupted biofilm by 1000‐fold. Atomic force microscopy studies suggested that mechanical stability does not appear to be a factor relevant for anti‐fouling activity. The results suggest that sphingolipids may be used to control oral biofilms, especially those loaded with S. mutans.
Do stressful conditions make adaptation difficult? Guppies in the oil‐polluted environments of southern Trinidad
Authors: Rolshausen Gregor , Phillip Dawn A. T. , Beckles Denise M. , Akbari Ali , Ghoshal Subhasis , Hamilton Patrick B. , Tyler Charles R. , Scarlett Alan G. , Ramnarine Indar , Bentzen Paul , Hendry Andrew P. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe ability of populations to rapidly adapt to new environments will determine their future in an increasingly human‐modified world. Although meta‐analyses do frequently uncover signatures of local adaptation, they also reveal many exceptions. We suggest that particular constraints on local adaptation might arise when organisms are exposed to novel stressors, such as anthropogenic pollution. To inform this possibility, we studied the extent to which guppies (Poecilia reticulata) show local adaptation to oil pollution in southern Trinidad. Neutral genetic markers revealed that paired populations in oil‐polluted versus not‐polluted habitats diverged independently in two different watersheds. Morphometrics revealed some divergence (particularly in head shape) between these environments, some of which was parallel between rivers. Reciprocal transplant experiments in nature, however, found little evidence of local adaptation based on survival and growth. Moreover, subsequent laboratory experiments showed that the two populations from oil‐polluted sites showed only weak local adaptation even when compared to guppies from oil‐free northern Trinidad. We conclude that guppies show little local adaptation to oil pollution, which might result from the challenges associated with adaptation to particularly stressful environments. It might also reflect genetic drift owing to small population sizes and/or high gene flow between environments.
Treatment of chronic septic osteoarthritis of the antebrachiocarpal joint with a synovial‐cutaneous fistula utilising arthroscopic lavage combined with ultrasonic assisted wound therapy and vacuum assisted closure with a novel wound lavage system
Authors: Rettig M. J. , Lischer C. J. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThis case report describes the successful management of a chronic multidrug resistant infection of the antebrachiocarpal joint with a synovial‐cutaneous fistula 7 weeks after initial trauma in a 14‐year‐old Icelandic stallion. Resolution of the multiresistantEnterobacter cloacae(extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase) infection from the joint and complete closure of the fistula was achieved by arthroscopic lavage under general anaesthesia repeated on 3 occasions, surgical debridement, ultrasound assisted wound therapy and vacuum assisted closure. Lavage of the wound with the vacuum assisted closure in place was facilitated via the novel VeraFlo instillation system consisting of specially designed therapeutic regulated accurate care pad tubing. The combination of these therapies resulted in resolution of the septic arthritis and fistula. Six weeks after admission the horse was discharged from the hospital with a completely healed wound and was not lame at a walk.
Where does it hurt? Problems with interpretation of regional and intra‐synovial diagnostic analgesia
Authors: Pilsworth R. , Dyson S. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryDetailed clinical evaluation and diagnostic analgesia are crucial for accurate lameness diagnosis. This review discusses the ways in which local analgesic techniques can cause confusion and highlights how important it is to recognise that the majority of methods are less specific than was formerly thought. Interpretation of responses must be done together with the results of clinical examination and careful assessment of diagnostic images. With the knowledge of false negative and false positive results of local analgesic techniques and the recognition that there may be more than one focus of pain contributing to lameness, it is still possible to reach accurate diagnoses, provided that a logical, thoughtful approach is utilised.
Post operative synovial sepsis following endoscopic surgery: Increased risk associated with the carpal sheath
Authors: Hawthorn A. , Reardon R. , O'Meara B. , James F. , Bladon B. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryReasons for performing studyThe overall rate of sepsis following endoscopic surgery of synovial structures has not previously been documented. Clinical observation has led to the conjecture that tendon sheaths, in particular the carpal flexor tendon sheath, are more prone to post operative synovial sepsis than other synovial structures.ObjectivesTo document and investigate the rate of post operative synovial sepsis following elective endoscopic surgery.Study designRetrospective case series.MethodsThe medical records of horses that underwent arthroscopy, tenoscopy or bursoscopy at Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery between January 1999 and July 2012 were reviewed. The signalment, anatomical structure involved, use of electrosurgery, tourniquet or motorised resector, presence of a fracture, whether surgery was performed with the horse standing or under general anaesthesia and the number of structures examined were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test the association between the selected variables and synovial sepsis. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Level of significance was P<0.05.ResultsThere were 1670 horses that underwent endoscopic surgery of 3159 synovial structures: 2517 joints, 583 tendon sheaths and 59 bursae. There were 16 cases of post operative sepsis in 16 horses; therefore, the infection rate was one per 100 horses or 5 per 1000 procedures. Carpal sheath tenoscopy was associated with an OR of developing post operative synovial sepsis of 14.9 (95% CI 4.8–45.9, P<0.001) compared to other synovial structures. Tendon sheath endoscopy had an OR of developing post operative synovial sepsis of 5.21 (95% CI 1.24–21.91, P<0.02) compared to other synovial structures.ConclusionSurgeons should be aware that tendon sheaths and the carpal sheath in particular appear to have higher odds of developing sepsis following endoscopic surgery.
Equine insulin receptor and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor expression in digital lamellar tissue and insulin target tissues
Authors: Kullmann A. , Weber P. S. , Bishop J. B. , Roux T. M. , Norby B. , Burns T. A. , McCutcheon L. J. , Belknap J. K. , Geor R. J. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryReasons for performing studyHyperinsulinaemia is implicated in the pathogenesis of endocrinopathic laminitis. Insulin can bind to different receptors: two insulin receptor isoforms (InsR‐A and InsR‐B), insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) and InsR/IGF‐1R hybrid receptor (Hybrid). Currently, mRNA expression of these receptors in equine tissues and the influence of body type and dietary carbohydrate intake on expression of these receptors is not known.ObjectivesThe study objectives were to characterise InsR‐A, InsR‐B, IGF‐1R and Hybrid expression in lamellar tissue (LT) and insulin responsive tissues from horses and examine the effect of dietary nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) on mRNA expression of these receptors in LT, skeletal muscle, liver and two adipose tissue (AT) depots of lean and obese ponies.Study designIn vivo experiment.MethodsLamellar tissue samples were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) for receptor mRNA expression (n = 8) and immunoblotting for protein expression (n = 3). Archived LT, skeletal muscle, liver and AT from lean and obese mixed‐breed ponies fed either a low (~7% NSC as dry matter; 5 lean, 5 obese) or high NSC diet (~42% NSC as dry matter; 6 lean, 6 obese) for 7 days were evaluated by RT‐qPCR to determine the effect of body condition and diet on expression of the receptors in different tissues. Significance was set at P≤0.05.ResultsLamellar tissue expresses both InsR isoforms, IGF‐1R and Hybrid. LT IGF‐1R gene expression was greater than either InsR isoform and InsR‐A expression was greater than InsR‐B (P≤0.05). Obesity significantly lowered IGF‐1R, InsR‐A and InsR‐B mRNA expression in LT and InsR‐A in tailhead AT. High NSC diet lowered expression of all three receptor types in liver; IGF‐1R and InsR‐A in LT and InsR‐A in tailhead AT.ConclusionsLamellar tissue expresses IGF‐1R, InsR isoforms and Hybrids. The functional characteristics of these receptors and their role in endocrinopathic laminitis warrants further investigation.
Peri‐anaesthetic complications in an equine referral hospital: Risk factors for post anaesthetic colic
Authors: Jago R. C. , Corletto F. , Wright I. M. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryReasons for performing studyPeri‐anaesthetic complications are relatively common in equine patients and further investigations are warranted to identify manageable risk factors.ObjectivesTo report morbidity and mortality rates and identify associated risk factors for horses undergoing general anaesthesia, within a predominantly racing Thoroughbred (TB) population.Study designSingle centre retrospective observational study.MethodsAnaesthetic and case records of all horses ≥12 months old undergoing general anaesthesia at Newmarket Equine Hospital between August 2010 and April 2012 were analysed, excluding emergency abdominal/dystocia procedures or traumatology cases with cardiovascular compromise. Mortality and morbidity rates were calculated and described. Uni‐ and multivariable analyses were used to investigate the relationship between the principal complication, post anaesthetic colic (PAC) and risk factors.ResultsA total of 1067 anaesthetic records of 1021 horses were included in the study; of these, 702 horses (65.8%) were TB, 169 (15.8%) developed a complication within 7 days of general anaesthesia and 10 (0.94%) died as a result. The most prevalent morbidity was PAC, 111 horses (10.5%) developed colic within 7 days of general anaesthesia. Thoroughbred horses (odds ratio [OR] 2.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.73–4.96) and horses receiving sodium benzylpenicillin (NaBP) (OR2.77, 95%CI1.69–4.50) were at increased risk of PAC.ConclusionsThoroughbred racehorses were identified as at increased risk of PAC in this study and might benefit from more critical evaluation of post anaesthetic gastrointestinal function. An alternative to the administration of NaBPfor prophylactic antimicrobial therapy needs to be further investigated if its role in PAC is confirmed by other studies.
Towards a functional identification of catalytically inactive [Fe]‐hydrogenase paralogs
Authors: Fujishiro Takashi , Ataka Kenichi , Ermler Ulrich , Shima Seigo 
Published: June 2015

[Fe]‐hydrogenase (Hmd), an enzyme of the methanogenic energy metabolism, harbors an iron‐guanylylpyridinol (FeGP) cofactor used for H2 cleavage. The generated hydride is transferred to methenyl‐tetrahydromethanopterin (methenyl‐H4MPT+). Most hydrogenotrophic methanogens contain the hmd‐related genes hmdII and hmdIII. Their function is still elusive. We were able to reconstitute the HmdII holoenzyme of Methanocaldococcus jannaschii with recombinantly produced apoenzyme and the FeGP cofactor, which is a prerequisite for in vitro functional analysis. Infrared spectroscopic and X‐ray structural data clearly indicated binding of the FeGP cofactor. Methylene‐H4MPT binding was detectable in the significantly altered infrared spectra of the HmdII holoenzyme and in the HmdII apoenzyme–methylene‐H4MPT complex structure. The related binding mode of the FeGP cofactor and methenyl‐H4MPT+ compared with Hmd and their multiple contacts to the polypeptide highly suggest a biological role in HmdII. However, holo‐HmdII did not catalyze the Hmd reaction, not even in a single turnover process, as demonstrated by kinetic measurements. The found inactivity can be rationalized by an increased contact area between the C‐ and N‐terminal folding units in HmdII compared with in Hmd, which impairs the catalytically necessary open‐to‐close transition, and by an exchange of a crucial histidine to a tyrosine. Mainly based on the presented data, a function of HmdII as Hmd isoenzyme, H2 sensor, FeGP‐cofactor storage protein and scaffold protein for FeGP‐cofactor biosynthesis could be excluded. Inspired by the recently found binding of HmdII to aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases and tRNA, we tentatively consider HmdII as a regulatory protein for protein synthesis that senses the intracellular methylene‐H4MPT concentration.DatabaseStructural data are available in the Protein Data Bank under the accession numbers 4YT8; 4YT2; 4YT4 and 4YT5.
Detection of novel germline mutations for breast cancer in non‐BRCA1/2 families
Authors: Aloraifi Fatima , McDevitt Trudi , Martiniano Rui , McGreevy Jonah , McLaughlin Russell , Egan Chris M. , Cody Nuala , Meany Marie , Kenny Elaine , Green Andrew J. , Bradley Daniel G. , Geraghty James G. , Bracken Adrian P. 
Published: June 2015

The identification of the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 enhanced clinicians' ability to select high‐risk individuals for aggressive surveillance and prevention, and led to the development of targeted therapies. However, BRCA1/2 mutations account for only 25% of familial breast cancer cases. To systematically identify rare, probably pathogenic variants in familial cases of breast cancer without BRCA1/2 mutations, we developed a list of 312 genes, and performed targeted DNA enrichment coupled to multiplex next‐generation sequencing on 104 ‘BRCAx’ patients and 101 geographically matched controls in Ireland. As expected, this strategy allowed us to identify mutations in several well‐known high‐susceptibility and moderate‐susceptibility genes, including ATM (~ 5%), RAD50 (~ 3%), CHEK2 (~ 2%), TP53 (~ 1%), PALB2 (~ 1%), and MRE11A (~ 1%). However, we also identified novel pathogenic variants in 30 other genes, which, when taken together, potentially explain the etiology of the missing heritability in up to 35% of BRCAx patients. These included novel potential pathogenic mutations in MAP3K1, CASP8, RAD51B, ZNF217, CDKN2B‐AS1, and ERBB2, including a splice site mutation, which we predict would generate a constitutively active HER2 protein. Taken together, this work extends our understanding of the genetics of familial breast cancer, and supports the need to implement hereditary multigene panel testing to more appropriately orientate clinical management.
Delineating transcriptional networks of prognostic gene signatures refines treatment recommendations for lymph node‐negative breast cancer patients
Authors: Lanigan Fiona , Brien Gerard L. , Fan Yue , Madden Stephen F. , Jerman Emilia , Maratha Ashwini , Aloraifi Fatima , Hokamp Karsten , Dunne Eiseart J. , Lohan Amanda J. , Flanagan Louise , Garbe James C. , Stampfer Martha R. , Fridberg Marie , Jirstrom Karin , Quinn Cecily M. , Loftus Brendan , Gallagher William M. , Geraghty James , Bracken Adrian P. 
Published: June 2015

The majority of women diagnosed with lymph node‐negative breast cancer are unnecessarily treated with damaging chemotherapeutics after surgical resection. This highlights the importance of understanding and more accurately predicting patient prognosis. In the present study, we define the transcriptional networks regulating well‐established prognostic gene expression signatures. We find that the same set of transcriptional regulators consistently lie upstream of both ‘prognosis’ and ‘proliferation’ gene signatures, suggesting that a central transcriptional network underpins a shared phenotype within these signatures. Strikingly, the master transcriptional regulators within this network predict recurrence risk for lymph node‐negative breast cancer better than currently used multigene prognostic assays, particularly in estrogen receptor‐positive patients. Simultaneous examination of p16INK4A expression, which predicts tumours that have bypassed cellular senescence, revealed that intermediate levels of p16INK4A correlate with an intact pRB pathway and improved survival. A combination of these master transcriptional regulators and p16INK4A, termed the OncoMasTR score, stratifies tumours based on their proliferative and senescence capacity, facilitating a clearer delineation of lymph node‐negative breast cancer patients at high risk of recurrence, and thus requiring chemotherapy. Furthermore, OncoMasTR accurately classifies over 60% of patients as ‘low risk’, an improvement on existing prognostic assays, which has the potential to reduce overtreatment in early‐stage patients. Taken together, the present study provides new insights into the transcriptional regulation of cellular proliferation in breast cancer and provides an opportunity to enhance and streamline methods of predicting breast cancer prognosis.
Structural integrity assessment of turbine discs in presence of potential defects: probabilistic analysis and implementation
Authors: Beretta S. , Foletti S. , Madia M. , Cavalleri E. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractRotor discs for gas turbines are heavy components usually designed following a safe‐life approach, where the low‐cycle fatigue design is based on life curves with suitable probabilistic margins. However, in such a component, there is the possible occurrence of undetected defects that can propagate at each startup–shutdown cycle, and therefore, defect acceptance criteria have to be defined for the different rotor regions (considering stress distribution and temperature). Moreover, the failure risk should be evaluated considering static fracture at overspeed as a potential failure mode. In order to make such an assessment for a turbine rotor disc, a semi‐probabilistic approach for the integrity assessment‐based current standards has been developed. The approach has then been implemented into a code able to process axis‐symmetric Finite Element (FE) analyses of the disc and to produce maps for the expected life (for a given defect size) and for the acceptable defect (for a target life). The probabilistic assessment of turbine rotor discs is first discussed together with a sensitivity study about the most significant calculation assumptions. Then, details of the semi‐probabilistic code are shown together with application to a turbine disc.
Hydraulic Tomography: Continuity and Discontinuity of High‐K and Low‐K Zones
Authors: Hochstetler David L. , Barrash Warren , Leven Carsten , Cardiff Michael , Chidichimo Francesco , Kitanidis Peter K. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractHydraulic tomography is an emerging field and modeling method that provides a continuous hydraulic conductivity (K) distribution for an investigated region. Characterization approaches that rely on interpolation between one‐dimensional (1D) profiles have limited ability to accurately identify high‐K channels, juxtapositions of lenses with high K contrast, and breaches in layers or channels between such profiles. However, locating these features is especially important for groundwater flow and transport modeling, and for design and operation of in situ remediation in complex hydrogeologic environments. We use transient hydraulic tomography to estimate 3D K in a volume of 15‐m diameter by 20‐m saturated thickness in a highly heterogeneous unconfined alluvial (clay to sand‐and‐gravel) aquifer with a K range of approximately seven orders of magnitude at an active industrial site in Assemini, Sardinia, Italy. A modified Levenberg‐Marquardt algorithm was used for geostatistical inversion to deal with the nonlinear nature of the highly heterogeneous system. The imaging results are validated with pumping tests not used in the tomographic inversion. These tests were conducted from three of five clusters of continuous multichannel tubing (CMTs) installed for observation in the tomographic testing. Locations of high‐K continuity and discontinuity, juxtaposition of very high‐K and very low‐K lenses, and low‐K “plugs” are evident in regions of the investigated volume where they likely would not have been identified with interpolation from 1D profiles at the positions of the pumping well and five CMT clusters. Quality assessment methods identified a suspect high‐K feature between the tested volume and a lateral boundary of the model.