bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel respiratory architecture in theSilurian molluscAcaenoplax
Authors: Dean Christopher D. , Sutton Mark D. , Siveter Derek J. , Siveter David J. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractExtant aplacophorans, a group of shell‐less vermiform molluscs, respire through appendages within or projecting from a posterior cavity. Respiratory structures differ between the subclassesCaudofoveata (ctenidia within the cavity) andSolenogastres (folds of the mantle itself).Acaenoplax hayae, aSilurian vermiform mollusc from theHerefordshireLagerstätte,England, exhibits characteristics of both these groups. While recent work places it within the crown groupAplacophora, near the caudofoveates, initial observations suggested that its respiratory structures were closer to those of the solenogastres. Here, we present new reconstructions of the posterior ofAcaenoplaxprepared with the aim of resolving features obscured when prior studies were undertaken. These reconstructions detail a novel posterior architecture, not closely comparable to that of either extant aplacophoran group, in which respiratory projections arise from a membrane that partly encloses a central posterior cavity. The posterior membrane is flanked by small spherical projections; both membrane and spherical projections are apparently unique within theAplacophora. The existence of this previously undocumented respiratory system underlines the diversity of the aplacophoran clade during thePalaeozoic.
InvestigatingDevonian trees as geo‐engineers of past climates: linking palaeosols to palaeobotany and experimental geobiology
Authors: Morris Jennifer L. , Leake Jonathan R. , Stein William E. , Berry Christopher M. , Marshall John E. A. , Wellman Charles H. , Milton J. Andrew , Hillier Stephen , Mannolini Frank , Quirk Joe , Beerling David J. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe present the rationale for a cross‐disciplinary investigation addressing the ‘Devonian plant hypothesis’ which proposes that the evolutionary appearance of trees with deep, complex rooting systems represents one of the major biotic feedbacks on geochemical carbon cycling during thePhanerozoic. According to this hypothesis, trees have dramatically enhanced mineral weathering driving an increased flux ofCa2+to the oceans and, ultimately, a 90% decline in atmosphericCO2levels through thePalaeozoic. Furthermore, experimental studies indicate a key role for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soil–plant processes and especially in unlocking the limiting nutrient phosphorus in soil viaCa‐phosphate dissolution mineral weathering. This suggests co‐evolution of roots and symbiotic fungi since theEarlyDevonian could well have triggered positive feedbacks on weathering rates whereby root–fungalPrelease supports higher biomass forested ecosystems. Long‐standing areas of uncertainty in this paradigm include the following: (1) limited fossil record documenting the origin and timeline of the evolution of tree‐sized plants through theDevonian; and (2) the effects of the evolutionary advance of trees and theirin siturooting structures on palaeosol geochemistry. We are addressing these issues by integrating palaeobotanical studies with geochemical and mineralogical analyses of palaeosol sequences at selected sites across easternNorthAmerica with a particular focus on drill cores fromMiddleDevonian forests inGreeneCounty,NewYorkState.
Comparison of the gold standard of hemoglobin measurement with the clinical standard (BGA) and noninvasive hemoglobin measurement (SpHb) in small children: a prospective diagnostic observational study
Authors: Wittenmeier Eva , Bellosevich Sophia , Mauff Susanne , Schmidtmann Irene , Eli Michael , Pestel Gunther , Noppens Ruediger R. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryIntroductionCollecting a blood sample is usually necessary to measure hemoglobin levels in children. Especially in small children, noninvasively measuring the hemoglobin level could be extraordinarily helpful, but its precision and accuracy in the clinical environment remain unclear. In this study, noninvasive hemoglobin measurement and blood gas analysis were compared to hemoglobin measurement in a clinical laboratory.MethodsIn 60 healthy preoperative children (0.2–7.6 years old), hemoglobin was measured using a noninvasive method (SpHb; Radical‐7 Pulse Co‐Oximeter), a blood gas analyzer (clinical standard, BGAHb; ABL 800 Flex), and a laboratory hematology analyzer (reference method, labHb; Siemens Advia). Agreement between the results was assessed by Bland–Altman analysis and by determining the percentage of outliers.ResultsSixty SpHb measurements, 60 labHb measurements, and 59 BGAHb measurements were evaluated. In 38% of the children, the location of the SpHb sensor had to be changed more than twice for the signal quality to be sufficient. The bias/limits of agreement between SpHb and labHb were −0.65/−3.4 to 2.1 g·dl−1. Forty‐four percent of the SpHb values differed from the reference value by more than 1 g·dl−1. Age, difficulty of measurement, and the perfusion index (PI) had no influence on the accuracy of SpHb. The bias/limits of agreement between BGAHb and labHb were 1.14/−1.6 to 3.9 g·dl−1. Furthermore, 66% of the BGAHb values differed from the reference values by more than 1 g·dl−1. The absolute mean difference between SpHb and labHb (1.1 g·dl−1) was smaller than the absolute mean difference between BGAHb and labHb (1.5 g·dl−1/P = 0.024).ConclusionNoninvasive measurement of hemoglobin agrees more with the reference method than the measurement of hemoglobin using a blood gas analyzer. However, both methods can show clinically relevant differences from the reference method (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01693016).
Future Contingents, Indeterminacy and Context
Authors: Sweeney Paula 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn Facing the Future, Belnap et al. reject bivalence and propose double time reference semantics to give a pragmatic response to the following assertion problem: how can we make sense of assertions about future events made at a time when the outcomes of those events are not yet determined? John MacFarlane employs the same semantics, now bolstered with a relative‐truth predicate, to accommodate the following apparently conflicting intuitions regarding the truth‐value of an uttered future contingent: at the moment of utterance, if asked to evaluate the truth‐value of the asserted future contingent one has the intuition that the assertion is neither true nor false, yet later, at the moment of the predicted event, one has the intuition that the assertion was, already, either true or false. Both MacFarlane and Belnap assume that assertions of future contingents have complete propositional content – the traditional propositional contents that, according to him ‘are the contents of assertions and beliefs’. This assumption is challenged.
Does using cognitive‐behavioural therapy skills predict improvements in depression?
Authors: Hundt Natalie E. , Calleo Jessica Sepulveda , Williams Wright , Cully Jeffrey A. 
Published: July 2015

We examined symptoms and use of cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT) skills during treatment for 60 outpatients receiving group CBT for depression. Depression symptoms decreased significantly and frequency of skills use increased significantly during treatment, and increases in skills use from pre‐treatment to mid‐treatment predicted changes in depression at post‐treatment.Practitioner points

Patients who report infrequent use of skills may be at risk for treatment non‐response, which can provide an early warning sign for clinicians.

Potential interventions include more psychoeducation about the treatment rationale to increase ‘buy‐in’ or motivational interviewing to increase skills use.
Strict management of a pregnant patient with giant coronary artery aneurysm due to Kawasaki disease
Authors: Taniguchi Kosuke , Ono Hiroshi , Sato Anna , Kinomoto Satoko , Tagawa Naomi , Umehara Nagayoshi , Kato Hitoshi , Sago Haruhiko 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCoronary artery aneurysms (CAA) may occur in Kawasaki disease (KD). Patients with giant CAA (diameter >8 mm), in particular, have higher risk of myocardial infarction. Previous reports have demonstrated the necessity of anticoagulation therapy in such cases. The management of patients with KD complicated by giant CAA later in life, however, remains controversial. Here, we describe the strict management in the case of a 28‐year‐old pregnant Japanese woman with KD with giant CAA (diameter, 11 mm). Instead of warfarin, the patient was given low‐dose aspirin and i.v. unfractionated heparin during pregnancy to prevent thrombosis in the giant CAA. At 38 weeks of gestation, she had spontaneous delivery of a healthy baby. No thrombotic or bleeding complications were observed. The strict anticoagulation therapy resulted in successful pregnancy and delivery without any adverse events.
The Virtuous Tortoise
Authors: Botting David 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThere is no philosophically interesting distinction to be made between inference‐rules and premises. That there is such a distinction is often held to follow from the possibility of infinite regress illustrated by Carroll's story of Achilles and the tortoise. I will argue that this is wrong on three separate grounds. Consequently, Carroll's fable provides no motivation to abandon the traditional logical separation of arguments into their premises and conclusions. There is no proposition that must be taken to be a rule and must not be taken as a premise.
Myeloid expression of the AP‐1 transcription factor JUNB modulates outcomes of type 1 and type 2 parasitic infections
Authors: Fontana M. F. , Baccarella A. , Kellar D. , Oniskey T. K. , Terinate P. , Rosenberg S. D. , Huang E. J. , Herbert D. R. , Kim C. C. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryActivation of macrophages is a key step in the initiation of immune responses, but the transcriptional mechanisms governing macrophage activation during infection are not fully understood. It was recently shown that the AP‐1 family transcription factor JUNB positively regulates macrophage activation in response to Toll‐like receptor agonists that promote classical or M1 polarization, as well as to the cytokine interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), which elicits an alternatively activated or M2 phenotype. However, a role for JUNB in macrophage activation has never been demonstrated in vivo. Here, to dissect the role of JUNB in macrophage activation in a physiological setting, mice lacking JUNB specifically in myeloid cells were tested in two infection models: experimental cerebral malaria, which elicits a pathological type 1 immune response, and helminth infection, in which type 2 responses are protective. Myeloid‐restricted deletion of Junb reduced type 1 immune activation, which was associated with reduced cerebral pathology and improved survival during infection with Plasmodium berghei. Myeloid JUNB deficiency also compromised type 2 activation during infection with the hookworm Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, leading to diminished cytokine production and eosinophil recruitment and increased parasite burden. These results demonstrate that JUNB in myeloid cells shapes host responses and outcomes during type 1 and type 2 infections.
Isolation and pathogenicity of Phytophthora species from declining Rubus anglocandicans
Authors: Aghighi S. , Burgess T. I. , Scott J. K. , Calver M. , Hardy G. E. St. J. 
Published: July 2015

Rubus anglocandicans is the most widespread and abundant blackberry species within the European blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) aggregate in Western Australia (WA). European blackberry is also one of the 32 Weeds of National Significance in Australia. A disease recorded as ‘blackberry decline’ was first observed in some blackberry sites in WA in 2006. A disease survey was conducted in the Manjimup‐Pemberton region along the Warren and Donnelly River catchments in WA between 2010 and 2012. Phytophthora amnicola, P. bilorbang, P. cryptogea, P. inundata, P. litoralis, P. multivora, P. taxon personii, P. thermophila and a P. thermophila × amnicola hybrid were recovered from declining and adjacent decline‐free sites, as well as from streams and rivers. Phytophthora cinnamomi was isolated from dying Banksia and Eucalyptus species from two non‐decline sites. Of these species, P. bilorbang and P. cryptogea were more pathogenic than the others in under‐bark inoculations using excised stems (primocanes), in planta primocane inoculations in blackberry growing wild in native forest stands, and in glasshouse pot trials. It was concluded that blackberry decline is a complex syndrome and Phytophthora species, in particular P. bilorbang and P. cryptogea, together with temporary inundation, are major biotic and abiotic factors contributing to blackberry decline.
Biomarkers, the control panel and personalized COPD medicine
Authors: Agusti Alvar , Gea Joaquim , Faner Rosa 
Published: July 2015

AbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex and heterogeneous disease, so its clinical management needs to be personalized as much as possible. ‘Complex’ means that COPD has several components with non‐linear dynamic interactions, whereas ‘heterogeneous’ indicates that not all these components are present in all patients or, in a given patient, at all time points. This complexity and heterogeneity explains and justifies the need for personalizing the assessment and treatment of patients with COPD. We propose here that the implementation of a ‘control panel’ will facilitate the deployment of personalized COPD medicine in clinical practice. Such a control panel should provide the practicing clinician complementary and relevant information on treatable clinical characteristics in a single patient at a given time point. For the purpose of this discussion, we consider these variables to be ‘biomarkers’. Which treatable clinical characteristics should the COPD control panel include has not yet been formally validated. The review below suggests and discusses which ones might be considered in the future and should be viewed as a working proposal.
Increased β‐glucuronidase activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of children with bacterial lung infection: A case–control study
Authors: Panagiotopoulou Evgenia C. , Fouzas Sotirios , Douros Konstantinos , Triantaphyllidou Irene‐Eva , Malavaki Christina , Priftis Kostas N. , Karamanos Nikos K. , Anthracopoulos Michael B. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveβ‐Glucuronidase is a lysosomal enzyme released into the extracellular fluid during inflammation. Increased β‐glucuronidase activity in the cerebrospinal and peritoneal fluid has been shown to be a useful marker of bacterial inflammation. We explored the role of β‐glucuronidase in the detection of bacterial infection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of paediatric patients.MethodsIn this case–control study, % polymorphonuclear cell count (PMN%), β‐glucuronidase activity, interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and elastase were measured in culture‐positive (≥104 cfu/mL, C+) and ‐negative (C−) BALF samples obtained from children.ResultsA total of 92 BALF samples were analysed. The median β‐glucuronidase activity (measured in nanomoles of 4‐methylumbelliferone (4‐MU)/mL BALF/h) was 246.4 in C+ (interquartile range: 71.2–751) and 21.9 in C− (4.0–40.8) (P < 0.001). The levels of TNF‐α and IL‐8 were increased in C+ as compared with C− (5.4 (1.7–12.6) vs 0.7 (0.2–6.2) pg/mL, P < 0.001 and 288 (76–4300) vs 287 (89–1566) pg/mL, P = 0.042, respectively). Elastase level and PMN% did not differ significantly (50 (21–149) vs 26 (15–59) ng/mL, P = 0.051 and 20 (9–40) vs 18 (9–34) %, P = 0.674, respectively). The area under the curve of β‐glucuronidase activity (0.856, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.767–0.920) was higher than that of TNF‐α (0.718; 95% CI: 0.614–0.806; P = 0.040), IL‐8 (0.623; 95% CI: 0.516–0.722; P = 0.001), elastase (0.645; 95% CI: 0.514–0.761; P = 0.008) and PMN% (0.526; 95 % CI: 0.418–0.632; P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates a significant increase of β‐glucuronidase activity in BALF of children with culture‐positive bacterial inflammation. In our population β‐glucuronidase activity showed superior predictive ability for bacterial lung infection than other markers of inflammation.
Integrating socio‐economic and biophysical models: revision of a land‐use allocation model
Authors: Du Y. , Liu T. , Huffman T. , McConkey B. , Toure S. , Feng F. , Green M. , Liu J. , Liu H. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIntegration of large‐area, economically driven macro‐models and small‐area, biophysically based models in the Canadian agricultural sector was described recently in the development of a land‐use allocation model (LUAM). We have since developed and integrated an improved methodology for allocating crop area changes generated for large areas by the Canadian Regional Agricultural Model (CRAM) to much smaller Soil Landscapes of Canada (SLC) polygons. Validation of outputs showed considerable improvement. The new coefficients of determination (R2) between simulated and actual data, with previous values in brackets, were 0.69 for fodder corn (0.54), 0.88 for wheat (0.62), 0.77 for hay (0.26), 0.54 for alfalfa (not previously reported), 0.88 for soya bean (0.26) and 0.86 for grain corn (0.22). The best result was obtained for soya bean, with a normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of 0.31%, and the poorest for alfalfa, with NRMSE = 17.34%.
Of flowers and twigs: phylogenetic revision of the plant‐mimicking praying mantises (Mantodea:Empusidae and Hymenopodidae) with a new suprageneric classification
Authors: SVENSON GAVIN J. , HARDY NATE B. , CAHILL WIGHTMAN HALEY M. , WIELAND FRANK 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe present a suprageneric revision of the plant‐mimicking mantis familiesEmpusidae andHymenopodidae on the basis of a total‐evidence phylogenetic analysis with complete generic representation. We coded 124 characters from external morphology and used these together with aDNAdataset comprising ten gene fragments for an aligned matrix with 7514 nucleic acid sites to estimate phylogenetic relationships. We recovered largely congruent topologies across molecular, morphological and total evidence analyses. Empusidae and its assigned subfamilies were recovered as monophyletic. Hymenopodidae was recovered as paraphyletic with respect toSibyllidae andPhyllothelyinae (Mantidae) whereas a small assemblage of hymenopodid taxa (GalinthiasStål,CongoharpaxLaGreca,PseudoharpaxSaussure andHarpagomantisKirby) were recovered outside the family. TheCaribbean genusEpaphroditaAudinet‐Serville was also recovered far from the rest of the hymenopodid subfamilyEpaphroditinae, in which it is traditionally classified. The nonmonophyly ofAcromantinae was recovered with some species nested withinOxypilinae and others found withinHymenopodinae. We present a new classification scheme that includes an elevated family and subfamily (Galinthiadidae andPhyllocraniinae), two reinstated tribes (Anaxarchini andOtomantini), a family demoted to subfamily rank (Sibyllinae), a newly assigned subfamily toHymenopodidae transferred fromMantidae (Phyllothelyinae), and new generic assignments to existing higher‐level groups. We used our morphological characters to produce extensive re‐descriptions of all suprageneric groups as well as character diagnoses. We provide a dichotomous key to genera supported by example illustrations of important morphological features as well as dorsal habitus images of representative specimens.
The proteolysis adaptor, NblA, is essential for degradation of the core pigment of the cyanobacterial light‐harvesting complex
Authors: Sendersky Eleonora , Kozer Noga , Levi Mali , Moizik Michael , Garini Yuval , Shav‐Tal Yaron , Schwarz Rakefet 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThe cyanobacterial light‐harvesting complex, the phycobilisome, is degraded under nutrient limitation, allowing the cell to adjust light absorbance to its metabolic capacity. This large light‐harvesting antenna comprises a core complex of the pigment allophycocyanin, and rod‐shaped pigment assemblies emanating from the core. NblA, a low‐molecular‐weight protein, is essential for degradation of the phycobilisome. NblA mutants exhibit high absorbance of rod pigments under conditions that generally elicit phycobilisome degradation, implicating NblA in degradation of these pigments. However, the vast abundance of rod pigments and the substantial overlap between the absorbance spectra of rod and core pigments has made it difficult to directly associate NblA with proteolysis of the phycobilisome core. Furthermore, lack of allophycocyanin degradation in an NblA mutant may reflect a requirement for rod degradation preceding core degradation, and does not prove direct involvement of NblA in proteolysis of the core pigment. Therefore, in this study, we used a mutant lacking phycocyanin, the rod pigment of Synechococcus elongatusPCC7942, to examine whether NblA is required for allophycocyanin degradation. We demonstrate that NblA is essential for degradation of the core complex of the phycobilisome. Furthermore, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy provided in situ evidence for the interaction of NblA with allophycocyanin, and indicated that NblA interacts with allophycocyanin complexes that are associated with the photosynthetic membranes. Based on these data, as well as previous observations indicating interaction of NblA with phycobilisomes attached to the photosynthetic membranes, we suggest a model for sequential phycobilisome disassembly by NblA.
A population‐based study on blood lead levels in blood donors
Authors: Delage Gilles , Gingras Suzanne , Rhainds Marc 
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUNDRecent studies suggested that blood transfusion may represent a significant source of lead exposure in premature infants. Objectives of this study were to determine blood lead levels (BLLs) in a representative sample of blood donors and to identify risk factors associated with BLLs of 0.15 µmol/L or more.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSA study was conducted in 2006 to 2007 in 49 drive sites in Quebec. Individuals who qualified for blood donation were eligible to participate. Information was harvested from blood donor file and a standardized self‐administered questionnaire. Lead analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Data on Quebec blood donors from 2003 to 2006 (n = 320,543) were used to establish a reference population. Geometric mean (GM) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to describe the results. The project was approved by an ethics committee.RESULTSOf 6715 eligible individuals, 3490 participated (1392 women and 2098 men). Their mean age was 46.5 years. Results were weighted for region, sex, and age. The GM of BLLs was 0.082 µmol/L (95% CI, 0.027‐0.247; range, 0.011‐2.90 µmol/L). BLLs of more than 0.15 µmol/L were found in 15.5% of participants. In multivariate analysis, BLLs were mainly explained by age and sex of participants (p < 0.001). A significant association was also found between BLLs and the region of residence, education level, dwelling age, occupational and leisure activities at high risk for lead exposure, smoking, and alcohol intake (p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONBLL in blood donors is strongly explained by sex and age, a fact that can be taken into consideration when transfusing neonates.