bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental bleaching of a tropical sea anemone in situ
Authors: Finn Maureen H. , Lönnstedt Oona M. , Rizzari Justin R. , Jones Geoffrey P. , Frisch Ashley J. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBleaching (whitening) of cnidarians such as corals and sea anemones has caused widespread degradation of coral reefs around the world and is therefore an urgent issue for coral reef science and conservation. Although cnidarians often bleach in aquaria, methods for experimental induction of bleaching in wild cnidarians are lacking, which impedes scientists’ ability to understand the ultimate effects of bleaching on the broader ecosystem. In this study, we investigated the utility of an in situ method for experimental induction of bleaching in the tropical sea anemone Heteractis crispa. Healthy, wild anemones were covered with opaque black plastic sheets, mesh cages or left undisturbed (controls) and tentacle colour and body size were monitored with a colour reference card and flexible tape, respectively, every 1–3 days for 15 days. Caged and control anemones remained unchanged for the duration of the experiment, but covered anemones commenced whitening after 4–6 days and were completely white after 7–14 days (mean time to bleaching ± SE = 10.1 ± 0.7 days). Experimental bleaching occurred without reduction in anemone body size and was visibly similar to natural bleaching seen previously in H. crispa. We hypothesize that light‐deprivation, reduced water flow, physical contact or some combination of these factors caused the bleaching. This study provides the basis for a simple and rapid method of inducing bleaching in situ, which releases scientists’ dependence on sporadic natural bleaching events or artificial aquarium experiments, and provides a means to investigate the effects of bleaching on other ecosystem components such as fishes.
How Might I Have Been?
Authors: Cooper Rachel 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWhat would my life have been like if I had been born more intelligent? Or taller? Or a member of the opposite sex? Or a non‐biological being? It is plausible that some of these questions make sense, while others stretch the limits of sense making. In addressing questions of how I might have been, genetic essentialism is popular, but this article argues that genetic essentialism, and other versions of origin essentialism for organisms, must be rejected. It considers the prospects for counterpart theory and shows how counterpart theory can be used to illuminate volitional accounts of identity as proposed byHarryFrankfurt. This enables one to make sense of claims that, say, being gay, orDeaf, orBlack, can be essential to someone's identity. The discussion is then extended to show how it can be made applicable to the transworld identity theorist who denies that individuals possess essential properties.
Self‐Images and “Perspicuous Representations”: Reflection, Philosophy, and the Glass Mirror
Authors: Mudde Anna 
Published: November 2015

AbstractReflection names the central activity of Western philosophical practice; the mirror and its attendant metaphors of reflection are omnipresent in the self‐image(s) of Western philosophy and in metaphilosophical reflection on reflection. But the physical experiences of being reflected by glass mirrors have been inadequately theorized contributors to those metaphors, and this has implications not only for the self‐image and the self (or selves) of philosophy but also for metaphilosophical practice. This article begins to rethink the metaphor of reflection anew. Paying attention to the history of the glass mirror in Europe reveals and challenges the modern emergence of clear ontological distinctions between disembodied subjects and the objects of their knowledge, and suggests a compelling terrain of metaphilosophical analysis. On the reading offered by the article, the inherent complexity of the relationship between selves and their mirror images, a complexity mediated by social location, historical situation, and particular projects, points to significant spaces of unknowing, of indeterminacy, and of ontological ambiguity.
Conservatism in Metaethics: A Case Study
Authors: Cowie Christopher 
Published: November 2015

AbstractMetaethicists typically develop and assess their theories—in part—on the basis of the consistency of those theories with “ordinary” first‐order normative judgment. They are, in this sense, “methodologically conservative.” This article shows that this methodologically conservative approach obstructs a proper assessment of the debate between internalists and externalists. Specifically, it obstructs one of the most promising readings of internalism. This is a reading—owed toBernardWilliams—in which internalism is part of a practically and politically motivated revision of the assessment of action. The article uses this case study to highlight the role of methodological conservatism in contemporary metaethics more generally.
A phosphorylation code of the Aspergillus nidulans global regulator VelvetA (VeA) determines specific functions
Authors: Rauscher Stefan , Pacher Sylvia , Hedtke Maren , Kniemeyer Olaf , Fischer Reinhard 
Published: November 2015

SummaryThe velvet protein VeA is a global fungal regulator for morphogenetic pathways as well as for the control of secondary metabolism. It is found exclusively in filamentous fungi, where it fulfills conserved, but also unique functions in different species. The involvement of VeA in various morphogenetic and metabolic pathways is probably due to spatially and timely controlled specific protein–protein interactions with other regulators such as phytochrome (FphA) or velvet‐like proteins (VelB). Here we present evidence that Aspergillus nidulans VeA is a multi‐phosphorylated protein and hypothesize that at least four specific amino acids (T167, T170, S183 and Y254) undergo reversible phosphorylation to trigger development and sterigmatocystin biosynthesis. Double mutation of T167 to valine and T170 to glutamic acid exerted the largest effects with regards to sexual development and veA gene expression. In comparison with wild‐type VeA, which shuttles out of the nuclei after illumination this VeA variant showed stronger nuclear accumulation than the wild type, independent of the light conditions. The interaction between VeA and VelB or FphA, respectively, was affected in the T167V‐T170E mutant. Our results suggest complex regulation of the phosphorylation status of the VeA protein.
Cost‐effectiveness of haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis for patients with end‐stage renal disease in Singapore
Authors: Yang Fan , Lau Titus , Luo Nan 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAimThis study aimed to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of haemodialysis (HD), continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) for patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) in Singapore.MethodsA Markov model was developed to examine the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of HD, CAPD and APD over the 10‐year time horizon from the societal perspective, using clinical data from an observational study and the national renal registry, utilities from published studies and costs from dialysis services providers. The base‐case analysis was for a hypothetical cohort of 60‐year‐old non‐diabetic ESRD patients. A high‐risk group of 60‐year‐old diabetic ESRD patients was also studied.ResultsIn the base‐case analysis, the quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs) were 3.27 with CAPD, 3.48 with APD and 4.69 with HD. The total costs were Singapore dollar $169 872 for CAPD, $201 509 for APD and $306 827 for HD. CAPD and HD had extended dominance over APD. The ICER of HD versus CAPD was $96 447 (US$69 121) per QALY. One‐way sensitivity analyses indicated that the results were most sensitive to the utility of HD. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses demonstrated that CAPD had the maximum probability of being cost‐effective among treatments under evaluation at a willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) threshold of $60 000 (US$43 000) per QALY. The high‐risk group analyses showed similar results. The ICER of HD versus CAPD was $106 281 (US$76 168) per QALY and the probability of CAPD being optimal was the highest using the same WTP threshold.ConclusionsOur analysis suggested that starting dialysis with CAPD is most cost‐effective for ESRD patients in Singapore.
Prevalence, determinants, and clinical significance of masked hypertension and white‐coat hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Tang Hua , Gong Wen‐Yu , Zhang Qun‐Zi , Zhang Jun , Ye Zeng‐Chun , Peng Hui , Wang Cheng , Lou Tanqi 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundMasked hypertension and white‐coat hypertension have been studied among the general population and in hypertensive patients. However, little insight is available on masked and white‐coat hypertension among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).MethodsWe recruited 1322 CKD patients admitted to our hospital division. Patients were divided into four groups: normotension; white‐coat hypertension (WCHT); masked hypertension (MHT); sustained hypertension. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the correlation between WCHT, MHT and renal/cardiovascular parameters.ResultsThe prevalence of WCHT and MHT was 10.21% and 16.11%, respectively. Patients with WCHT and MHT had more severe target‐organ damage (TOD) than patients with normotension, but had less severe TOD than patients with sustained hypertension. MHT correlated with impaired renal function and left‐ventricular hypertrophy, whereas WCHT was associated with abnormal carotid intima media thickness. Age, body mass index, clinic and 24‐h systolic blood pressure correlated with MHT, whereas clinic, 24‐h diastolic blood pressure and night‐time systolic blood pressure was associated with WCHT.ConclusionsPrevalence of WCHT and MHT was 10.21% and 16.11%, respectively. WCHT and MHT show a close relationship with TOD in CKD patients.
Upregulation of nuclear factor‐κB activity mediates CYP24 expression and reactive oxygen species production in indoxyl sulfate‐induced chronic kidney disease
Authors: Wang Lihua , Gao Zhiying , Wang Lili , Gao Yongning 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAimChronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with an inflammation‐mediated process, and the vitamin D (3) catabolizing enzyme, CYP24, is frequently overexpressed in CKD, where it may play a crucial role in kidney disease.MethodsHerein, in this study, we investigated CYP24, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inflammatory responses in an indoxyl sulfate (IS)‐induced CKD model to elucidate the role of CYP24 in CKD.ResultsOur results showed that IS upregulates proinflammatory cytokine, CYP24 and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) expression in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. In addition, IS treatment increased ROS production and simultaneously upregulated CYP24 expression and NF‐κB translocation. Moreover, the IS‐induced upregulation of CYP24 expression was alleviated by an inhibitor of NF‐κB, as well as a siRNA specific to NF‐κB p65. Furthermore, the renal cortex of DN (Dahl salt‐resistant normotensive) + IS, DH (Dahl salt‐sensitive hypertensive), and DH + IS rats showed increased expression of NF‐κB p65, CYP24, 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), a marker of ROS and macrophage infiltration compared with DN rats.ConclusionsThese results provide evidence that administration of IS in human renal tubular epithelial cells upregulates NF‐κB, which leads to increase CYP24 expression and ROS production. They also suggest that suppressing NF‐κB signalling is promising for the development into a strategy for CKD treatment.
Proof‐of‐concept: neonatal intravenous injection of adeno‐associated virus vectors results in successful transduction of myenteric and submucosal neurons in the mouse small and large intestine
Authors: Buckinx R. , Van Remoortel S. , Gijsbers R. , Waddington S. N. , Timmermans J.‐P. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundDespite the success of viral vector technology in the transduction of the central nervous system in both preclinical research and gene therapy, its potential in neurogastroenterological research remains largely unexploited. This study asked whether and to what extent myenteric and submucosal neurons in the ileum and distal colon of the mouse were transduced after neonatal systemic delivery of recombinant adeno‐associated viral vectors (AAVs).MethodsMice were intravenously injected at postnatal day one with AAV pseudotypes AAV8 or AAV9 carrying a cassette encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) as a reporter under the control of a cytomegalovirus promoter. At postnatal day 35, transduction of the myenteric and submucosal plexuses of the ileum and distal colon was evaluated in whole‐mount preparations, using immunohistochemistry to neurochemically identify transduced enteric neurons.Key ResultsThe pseudotypes AAV8 and AAV9 showed equal potential in transducing the enteric nervous system (ENS), with 25–30% of the neurons expressing eGFP. However, the percentage of eGFP‐expressing colonic submucosal neurons was significantly lower. Neurochemical analysis showed that all enteric neuron subtypes, but not glia, expressed the reporter protein. Intrinsic sensory neurons were most efficiently transduced as nearly 80% of calcitonin gene‐related peptide‐positive neurons expressed the transgene.Conclusions & InferencesThe pseudotypes AAV8 and AAV9 can be employed for gene delivery to both the myenteric and the submucosal plexus, although the transduction efficiency in the latter is region‐dependent. These findings open perspectives for novel preclinical applications aimed at manipulating and imaging the ENS in the short term, and in gene therapy in the longer term.
A lower jaw of Palaeoxonodon from the Middle Jurassic of the Isle of Skye, Scotland, sheds new light on the diversity of British stem therians
Authors: Close Roger A. , Davis Brian M. , Walsh Stig , Wolniewicz Andrzej S. , Friedman Matt , Benson Roger B. J. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe Middle Jurassic was a key interval of mammalian evolutionary history that witnessed the diversification of the therian stem group. Great Britain has yielded a significant record of mammalian fossils from this interval, represented by numerous isolated jaws and teeth from the Bathonian of Oxfordshire and the Isle of Skye. This record captures a key period in early cladotherian evolution, with amphitheriids, peramurans and ‘stem zatherians’ displaying intermediate talonid morphologies that document the evolutionary assembly of tribosphenic molars. We present a mandible with near‐complete dentition from the late Bathonian (c. 167.4–166.5 Ma) Kilmaluag Formation, near Elgol, Skye, representing the amphitheriid Palaeoxonodon ooliticus, previously known only from isolated teeth. The specimen sheds new light on the taxonomic diversity of British Middle Jurassic stem therians, as the morphological variation within the preserved tooth row encompasses that previously ascribed to three distinct species within two genera: Palaeoxonodon ooliticus, P. freemani and Kennetheridium leesi. Thus, both P. freemani and K. leesi are subjective junior synonyms of P. ooliticus. The dental formula of P. ooliticus (i4:c1:p5:m5) is intermediate between the primitively larger postcanine count (p5:m6–7) of Amphitherium and the reduced number in peramurans and tribosphenidans (p5:m3). Phylogenetic analyses of P. ooliticus generally confirm a close affinity with Amphitherium, but highlight the lack of strong empirical support for hypothesized patterns of divergences among early cladotherians.
Hemodynamic response to ketamine in children with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Friesen Robert H. , Twite Mark D. , Nichols Christopher S. , Cardwell Kathryn A. , Pan Zhaoxing , Darst Jeffrey R. , Wilson Neil , Fagan Thomas E. , Miyamoto Shelley D. , Ivy D. Dunbar 
Published: November 2015

SummaryBackgroundThe safety of ketamine in children with pulmonary hypertension has been debated because of conflicting results of prior studies in which changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) have been widely variable. The goal of this prospective study was to quantitate the effects of ketamine on pulmonary hemodynamics in a cohort of children with pulmonary hypertension under conditions in which variables such as airway/ventilatory management, FiO2, and use of vasodilating anesthetics were controlled.MethodsThe IRB approved this study of 34 children undergoing cardiac catheterization for pulmonary hypertension studies. Following anesthetic induction with sevoflurane and tracheal intubation facilitated by the administration of rocuronium 0.7–1 mg·kg−1 iv, sevoflurane was discontinued and anesthesia was maintained with midazolam 0.1 mg·kg−1 iv (or 0.5 mg·kg−1 po preoperatively) and remifentanil iv infusion 0.5–0.7 mcg·kg−1·min−1. Ventilation was mechanically controlled to maintain PaCO2 35–40 mmHg. When endtidal sevoflurane was 0% and FiO2 was 0.21, baseline heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), mPAP, right atrial pressure (RAP), pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP), right ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (RVEDP), cardiac output, and arterial blood gases were measured, and indexed systemic vascular resistance (SVRI), indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (PVRI), and cardiac index (CI) were calculated. Each child then received a bolus of ketamine 2 mg·kg−1 infused over 2 min. Measurements and calculations were repeated 2 min after the conclusion of the infusion.ResultsThe mean (95% CI) increase in mPAP following ketamine was 2 mmHg (0.2, 3.7), which was statistically significant but clinically insignificant. PVRI and PVRI/SVRI did not change significantly. Hemodynamic changes did not differ among subjects with differing severity of pulmonary hypertension or between subjects chronically treated with pulmonary vasodilators or not.ConclusionKetamine is associated with minimal, clinically insignificant hemodynamic changes in sedated, mechanically ventilated children with pulmonary hypertension.
Priming of anti‐herbivore defence in Nicotiana attenuata by insect oviposition: herbivore‐specific effects
Authors: Bandoly Michele , Grichnik Roland , Hilker Monika , Steppuhn Anke 
Published: November 2015

AbstractOviposition by Spodoptera exigua on Nicotiana attenuata primes plant defence against its larvae that consequently suffer reduced performance. To reveal whether this is a general response of tobacco to insect oviposition or species‐specific, we investigated whether also Manduca sexta oviposition primes N. attenuata's anti‐herbivore defence. The plant response to M. sexta and S. exigua oviposition overlapped in the egg‐primed feeding‐induced production of the phenylpropanoid caffeoylputrescine. While M. sexta larvae were unaffected in their performance, they showed a novel response to the oviposition‐mediated plant changes: a reduced antimicrobial activity in their haemolymph. In a cross‐resistance experiment, S. exigua larvae suffered reduced performance on M. sexta‐oviposited plants like they did on S. exigua‐oviposited plants. The M. sexta oviposition‐mediated plant effects on the S. exigua larval performance and on M. sexta larval immunity required expression of the NaMyb8 transcription factor that is governing biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids such as caffeoylputrescine. Thus, NaMyb8‐dependent defence traits mediate the effects that oviposition by both lepidopteran species exerts on the plant's anti‐herbivore defence. These results suggest that oviposition by lepidopteran species on N. attenuata leaves may generally prime the feeding‐induced production of certain plant defence compounds but that different herbivore species show different susceptibility to egg‐primed plant effects.
Two pregnancies shortly after transplantation with reduced intensity conditioning in chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Faraci Maura , Matthes‐Martin Susanne , Lanino Edoardo , Morreale Giuseppe , Ferretti Marta , Giardino Stefano , Micalizzi Concetta , Balduzzi Adriana 
Published: November 2015

AbstractPOI is a relevant late complication after HSCT and occurring more frequently after MAC than after RIC regimens. Reports on the frequency of POI after RIC in a large pediatric and adolescent population are lacking. In this study, we describe a girl affected by CML diagnosed at the age of 15 yr and treated with oncarbide and interferon followed by imatinib and dasatinib. She had two pregnancies shortly after RIC performed according to the CML‐SCT I‐BFM protocol including TT, FLU, and MEL. Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism occurred four months after HSCT; menstruations resumed regularly six months after HSCT. Eight and 20 months after HSCT, the patient became pregnant and then delivered, respectively, two babies at term by cesarean section. Both newborns had no neonatal complications. Donor chimerism at time of two pregnancies and five yr after transplantation demonstrated complete donor engraftment. These findings suggest that I‐BFM CML‐SCT protocol could be a promising treatment option for adolescents or young adults with CML eligible for HSCT.
Varieties of Objectivity: Reply toDeMesel
Authors: Brandhorst Mario 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIn a previous paper, I argued that the later Wittgenstein did not endorse a realist account of ethics, where a realist account is understood to involve a claim to truth as well as objectivity. In this paper, I respond to a number of critical questions that Benjamin De Mesel raises about that interpretation. I agree with him that just as there are uses for expressions such as “truth”, “fact” and “reality” in ethics, there are uses for expressions such as “objectivity” that do not involve a deeper realist commitment. But I uphold and reinforce my claim that objectivity in ethicsas the realist conceives itis ruled out by Wittgenstein, who describes the correspondence between ethical expressions and reality in an entirely different way.
Predictors of international students' psychological and sociocultural adjustment to the context of reception while studying at Aarhus University, Denmark
Authors: Ozer Simon 
Published: November 2015

The number of international students engaging in intercultural education and thereby adjusting to cross‐cultural transition has risen conspicuously as a consequence of globalization and increased mobility. This process of acculturation has been associated with increased creativity as well as adaptation challenges. This paper investigates international students' psychological and sociocultural adjustment to studying at Aarhus University in Denmark. Both international students (n = 129) and domestic students (n = 111) participated in the study. The international students did not report impaired psychological conditions as compared to the control group of domestic students. However, the international students reported a significantly lower level of social support. Social support and perceived discrimination were significant predictors of both psychological and sociocultural adjustment. Additionally, the level of English proficiency alone predicted sociocultural adjustment. Values of vertical individualism and horizontal collectivism predicted psychological adjustment. Finally, integration was found to be a significantly more adaptive acculturation orientation than separation in regard to sociocultural adjustment. These findings were discussed in relation to relevant international research and it was concluded that international students comprise a resourceful student sample and that the international academic environment at Aarhus University appears to be an adequately cultural and value‐oriented good fit as a context of reception for the multicultural engagement of international students.