bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human T‐lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV‐1)‐associated lichenoid dermatitis induced by CD8+ T cells in HTLV‐1 carrier, HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma
Authors: Tokura Yoshiki , Ito Taisuke , Kawakami Chika , Sugita Kazunari , Kasuya Akira , Tatsuno Kazuki , Sawada Yu , Nakamura Motonobu , Shimauchi Takatoshi
Published: June 2015

Human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) induces adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and carrier. ATLL is a mature CD4+CD25+CCR4+ T‐cell neoplasm, and approximately half of patients have direct skin involvement manifesting patch, plaque, tumor, multiple papules, erythroderma and purpura. However, there exist secondary eruptions without tumor cell infiltration in patients with ATLL or HAM/TSP and carriers of HTLV‐1. To clarify the presence of reactive skin eruptions in HTLV‐1‐infected individuals, we reviewed our patients with HTLV‐1‐associated diseases. In 2002–2012, we saw 50 ATLL or HAM/TSP patients and HTLV‐1 carriers presenting with skin lesions. We retrospectively selected cases that histologically showed lichenoid tissue reactions with predominant infiltration of CD8+ T cells, but not CD4+ tumor cells. The cases included erythroderma (HTLV‐1 carrier), lichen planus (HTLV‐1 carrier), alopecia areata (HAM/TSP), chronic actinic dermatitis (HTLV‐1 carrier to acute ATLL conversion) and discoid lupus erythematosus (smoldering ATLL). They were graft‐versus‐host disease‐like, major secondary lesions and seen in HTLV‐1 carriers and patients with HAM/TSP and smoldering ATLL. We coin the term HTLV‐1‐associated lichenoid dermatitis (HALD) to encompass the conditions. HALD may occur in association with the elevated immunity toward HTLV‐1‐infected CD4+ T cells, thus sharing the pathogenetic role of cytotoxic T cells with HAM/TSP.
Serum level of circulating syndecan‐1: A possible association with proliferative vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Wu Ching‐Ying , Asano Yoshihide , Taniguchi Takashi , Sato Shinichi , Yu Hsin‐Su
Published: June 2015

Syndecan‐1 is a member of the transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan family, whose membrane‐bound and soluble forms are involved in wound healing, inflammation and vascular biology. Because these physiological events are implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc), we investigated the clinical association of serum syndecan‐1 levels in this disease. Serum syndecan‐1 levels were significantly higher inSSc patients, both in diffuse cutaneousSSc (dcSSc) and limited cutaneousSSc (lcSSc), than in healthy individuals, while comparable between dcSSc and lcSSc groups. In late stage dcSSc patients (disease duration of >6 years), but not non‐late stage dcSSc patients (≤6 years), serum syndecan‐1 levels were significantly higher than in normal controls. More importantly,SSc patients with elevated serum syndecan‐1 levels had higher prevalence of telangiectasia, elevated right ventricular systolic pressure and decreased diffuse capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide than those with normal levels. Therefore, soluble syndecan‐1 may be related to the development of proliferative vasculopathy inSSc patients.
Rehabilitating the cyanobacteria – niche partitioning, resource use efficiency and phytoplankton community structure during diazotrophic cyanobacterial blooms
Authors: Olli Kalle , Klais Riina , Tamminen Timo
Published: June 2015

Blooms of nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacteria are recurrent phenomena in marine and freshwater habitats, and their supplying role in aquatic biogeochemical cycles is generally considered vital. The objective of this study was to analyse whether an increasing proportion of nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacteria affects (i) the composition of the non‐diazotrophic component of ambient phytoplankton communities and (ii) resource use efficiency (RUE; ratio of Chl a to total nutrients) – an important ecosystem function. We hypothesize that diazotrophs increase community P use and decrease N use efficiencies, as new N is brought into the system, relaxing N, and concomitantly aggravating P limitation. We test this by analysing an extensive data set from the Baltic Sea (> 3700 quantitative phytoplankton samples), known to harbour conspicuous and recurrent blooms of Nodularia spumigena and Aphanizomenon sp.

System‐level phosphorus use efficiency (RUEP) was positively related to high proportion of diazotrophic cyanobacteria, suggesting aggravation of phosphorus limitation. However, concomitant decrease of nitrogen use efficiency (RUEN) was not observed. Nodularia spumigena, a dominant diazotroph and a notorious toxin producer, had a significantly stronger relationship with RUEP, compared to the competing non‐toxic Aphanizomenon sp., confirming niche differentiation in P acquisition strategies between the major bloom‐forming cyanobacterial species in the Baltic Sea. Nodularia occurrences were associated with stronger temperature stratification in more offshore environments, indicating higher reliance on in situ P regeneration.

By using constrained and unconstrained ordination, permutational multivariate analysis of variance and local similarity analysis, we show that diazotrophic cyanobacteria explained no more than a few percentage of the ambient phytoplankton community variation. The analyses furthermore yielded rather evenly distributed negative and positive effects on individual co‐occurring phytoplankton taxa, with no obvious phylogenetic or functional trait‐based patterns.

Synthesis. Our study reveals that despite the widely acknowledged noxious impacts of cyanobacterial blooms, the overall effect on phytoplankton community structure is minor. There are no predominantly positive or negative associations with ambient phytoplankton species. Species‐specific niche differences in cyanobacterial resource acquisition affect important ecosystem functions, such as biomass production per unit limiting resource.
Ocean's Twelve: flagellar and biofilm chromids in the multipartite genome of Marinovum algicola DG898 exemplify functional compartmentalization
Authors: Frank Oliver , Göker Markus , Pradella Silke , Petersen Jörn
Published: June 2015

The marine bacterium Marinovum algicola DG898 is a representative of the Roseobacter group (Rhodobacteraceae, Alphaproteobacteria) and harbours a wealth of 11 extrachromosomal replicons (ECRs) unprecedented for Proteobacteria. The relevance of ECRs has previously been exemplified by photosynthesis and biofilm plasmids, but the evolutionary forces for the emergence of multipartite genomes are largely unknown. The newly established genome revealed the exceptional metabolic potential of Marinovum and its adaptation to the phycosphere. Comparative codon usage analyses allowed the identification of eight chromids and three plasmids. Functional gene clustering is documented by the 52‐kb biofilm chromid that is required for surface attachment. The most conspicuous finding is the presence of a highly expressed chromid‐encoded flagellum gene cluster (FGC, fla2) that is indispensable for swimming motility. Marinovum algicola DG898 harbours an additional chromosome‐encoded flagellum (fla1) with unknown function. Comprehensive phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of a third FGC type (fla3) in Rhodobacteraceae and indicated the transmission of complete FGCs via conjugation. The current Marinovum study indicates a functional correlation of the intracellular fla2‐chromid localization and the subcellular positioning of the flagellum. The proposed mechanism might represent – apart from horizontal transfer – a novel driving force for the emergence of multipartite genomes.
A DGGE Marker‐Mediated Fast Monitoring of Bacterial Diversity and Comprehensive Identification of High‐Temperature Daqu Starter
Authors: Shanqimuge  , Liang Huizhen , Zhang Changxia , Shao Chunfu , Peng Xiaopei , Liang Liquan , Su Jing , Li Changwen
Published: June 2015

Bacteria play an essential role in Daqu starter (Daqu) fermentation. The identification of Daqu bacteria was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the highly variable V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Here, we define a novel DGGE marker for the quick identification of Daqu bacteria. A dynamic alteration of the bacterial populations at different stages of fermentation was determined through a 2‐y continuous monitoring. The physicochemical parameters of Daqu at different fermentation stages were investigated by weighing, NaOH titration, and HCl hydrolysis together with Fehling reagent methods. Furthermore, infrared spectral analysis using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy was performed to determine physicochemical changes of Daqu. Therefore, our studies provide key insight for a comprehensive quality control of Daqu at different fermentation stages using the PCR‐DGGE analysis combined with the physicochemical measurement.
Intra‐ and postoperative low‐dose ketamine for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Minoshima R. , Kosugi S. , Nishimura D. , Ihara N. , Seki H. , Yamada T. , Watanabe K. , Katori N. , Hashiguchi S. , Morisaki H.
Published: June 2015

Background

In this randomized controlled trial, we examined whether intra‐ and postoperative infusion of low‐dose ketamine decreased postoperative morphine requirement and morphine‐related adverse effects as nausea and vomiting after scoliosis surgery.

Methods

After IRB approval and informed consent, 36 patients, aged 10–19 years, undergoing posterior correction surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, were randomly allocated into two groups: intra‐ and postoperative ketamine infusion at a rate of 2 μg/kg/min until 48 h after surgery (ketamine group, n = 17) or infusion of an equal volume of saline (placebo group, n = 19). All patients were administered total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil during surgery and intravenous morphine using a patient‐controlled analgesia device after surgery. The primary outcome was cumulative morphine consumption in the initial 48 h after surgery. Pain scores (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS, 0–10), sedation scales, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and antiemetic consumption were recorded by nurses blinded to the study protocol for 48 h after surgery.

Results

Patient characteristics did not differ between the two groups. Cumulative morphine consumption for 48 h after surgery was significantly lower in the ketamine group compared to the placebo group (0.89 ± 0.08 mg/kg vs. 1.16 ± 0.07 mg/kg, 95% confidence interval for difference between the means, 0.03–0.48 mg/kg, P = 0.019). NRS pain, sedation scales, and incidence of PONV did not differ between the two groups. Antiemetic consumption was significantly smaller in ketamine group.

Conclusions

Intra‐ and postoperative infusion of low‐dose ketamine reduced cumulative morphine consumption and antiemetic requirement for 48 h after surgery.
Crew Resource Management in the Intensive Care Unit: a prospective 3‐year cohort study
Authors: Haerkens M. H. T. M. , Kox M. , Lemson J. , Houterman S. , van der Hoeven J. G. , Pickkers P.
Published: June 2015

Background

Human factors account for the majority of adverse events in both aviation and medicine. Human factors awareness training entitled “Crew Resource Management (CRM)” is associated with improved aviation safety. We determined whether implementation of CRM impacts outcome in critically ill patients.

Methods

We performed a prospective 3‐year cohort study in a 32‐bed ICU, admitting 2500–3000 patients yearly. At the end of the baseline year, all personnel received CRM training, followed by 1 year of implementation. The third year was defined as the clinical effect year. All 7271 patients admitted to the ICU in the study period were included.

The primary outcome measure was ICU complication rate. Secondary outcome measures were ICU and hospital length of stay, and standardized mortality ratio.

Results

Occurrence of serious complications was 67.1/1000 patients and 66.4/1000 patients during the baseline and implementation year respectively, decreasing to 50.9/1000 patients in the post‐implementation year (P = 0.03). Adjusted odds ratios for occurrence of complications were 0.92 (95% CI 0.71‐1.19, P = 0.52) and 0.66 (95% CI 0.51‐0.87, P = 0.003) in the implementation and post‐implementation year. The incidence of cardiac arrests was 9.2/1000 patients and 8.3/1000 patients during the baseline and implementation year, decreasing to 3.5/1000 patients (P = 0.04) in the post‐implementation year, while cardiopulmonary resuscitation success rate increased from 19% to 55% and 67% (P = 0.02). Standardized mortality ratio decreased from 0.72 (95% CI 0.63‐0.81) in the baseline year to 0.60 (95% CI 0.53‐0.67) in the post‐implementation year (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Our data indicate an association between CRM implementation and reduction in serious complications and lower mortality in critically ill patients.
Genetic evidence for common pathways in human age‐related diseases
Authors: Johnson Simon C. , Dong Xiao , Vijg Jan , Suh Yousin
Published: June 2015

Aging is the single largest risk factor for chronic disease. Studies in model organisms have identified conserved pathways that modulate aging rate and the onset and progression of multiple age‐related diseases, suggesting that common pathways of aging may influence age‐related diseases in humans as well. To determine whether there is genetic evidence supporting the notion of common pathways underlying age‐related diseases, we analyzed the genes and pathways found to be associated with five major categories of age‐related disease using a total of 410 genomewide association studies (GWAS). While only a small number of genes are shared among all five disease categories, those found in at least three of the five major age‐related disease categories are highly enriched for apoliprotein metabolism genes. We found that a more substantial number of gene ontology (GO) terms are shared among the 5 age‐related disease categories and shared GO terms include canonical aging pathways identified in model organisms, such as nutrient‐sensing signaling, translation, proteostasis, stress responses, and genome maintenance. Taking advantage of the vast amount of genetic data from the GWAS, our findings provide the first direct evidence that conserved pathways of aging simultaneously influence multiple age‐related diseases in humans as has been demonstrated in model organisms.
Seed Banks in Savanna, Forest Fragments, and Continuous Forest Edges Differ in a Tropical Dry Forest in Madagascar
Authors: Valenta Kim , Steffens Travis S. , Rafaliarison Radoniaina R. , Chapman Colin A. , Lehman Shawn M.
Published: June 2015

Rapid deforestation has fragmented habitat across the landscape of Madagascar. To determine the effect of fragmentation on seed banks and the potential for forest regeneration, we sampled seed viability, density and diversity in 40 plots of 1 m2 in three habitat types: forest fragments, the near edge of continuous forest, and deforested savanna in a highly fragmented dry deciduous forest landscape in northwestern Madagascar. While seed species diversity was not different between forest fragments and continuous forest edge, the number of animal‐dispersed seeds was significantly higher in forest fragments than in continuous forest edge, and this pattern was driven by a single, small‐seeded species. In the savanna, seeds were absent from all but three of the 40 plots, indicating that regeneration potential is low in these areas. Several pre‐ and post‐dispersal biotic and abiotic factors, including variation in the seed predator communities and edge effects could explain these findings. Understanding the extent to which seed dispersal and seed banks influence the regeneration potential of fragmented landscapes is critical as these fragments are the potential sources of forest expansion and re‐connectivity.
Transient Population Dynamics of Two Epiphytic Orchid Species after Hurricane Ivan: Implications for Management
Authors: Raventós José , González Elaine , Mújica Ernesto , Bonet Andreu
Published: June 2015

Populations of epiphytic orchids in disturbance‐prone environments rarely reach stable‐stage equilibrium. We characterized the post‐disturbance, transient dynamics of two epiphytic orchids, Broughtonia cubensis, and the leafless Dendrophylax lindenii, comparing the following indices: reactivity/first‐time attenuation, maximal amplification/attenuation, and amplified/attenuated inertia. We also assessed the effects of reintroducing only seeds or only adults, by examining the elasticity of the inertia on the vital rates. For 2006–2010, the stochastic growth rate of D. lindenii was λs = 0.94, or a 6 percent decrease per annum. First‐time step attenuation indicates that in 1 year, the population could decrease by an additional 16 percent, and in the worst‐case scenario could decrease by almost half, relative to the stable‐stage distribution, in 10 years. Broughtonia cubensis had a λs = 1.03; reactivity and first‐time step attenuation indicates that in 1 year, the population should not change by more than 14 percent of the estimated stable‐stage distribution. However, the worst‐case scenario projected a reduction of 40 percent relative to the stable‐stage distribution within 8 years. A comparison of reintroduction strategies assessed by elasticity of the population momentum showed that adults performed better when relocated to new habitats.
Elevation, Topography, and Edge Effects Drive Functional Composition of Woody Plant Species in Tropical Montane Forests
Authors: Apaza‐Quevedo Amira , Lippok Denis , Hensen Isabell , Schleuning Matthias , Both Sabine
Published: June 2015

Tropical montane forests comprise heterogeneous environments along natural gradients of topography and elevation. Human‐induced edge effects further increase the environmental heterogeneity in these forests. The simultaneous effects of natural and human‐induced gradients on the functional diversity of plant leaf traits are poorly understood. In a tropical montane forest in Bolivia, we studied environmental gradients associated with elevation (from 1900 m to 2500 m asl), topography (ridge and gorge), and edge effects (forest edge vs. forest interior), and their relationship with leaf traits and resource‐use strategies. First, we investigated associations of environmental conditions (soil properties and microclimate) with six leaf traits, measured on 119 woody plant species. Second, we evaluated changes in functional composition with community‐weighted means and functional structure with multidimensional functional diversity indices (FRic, FEve and FDiv). We found significant associations between leaf traits and soil properties in accordance with the trade‐off between acquisition and conservation of resources. Functional composition of leaf traits shifted from the dominance of acquisitive species in habitats at low altitudes, gorges, and forest interior to the dominance of conservative species in habitats at high altitudes, ridges, and forest edges. Functional structure was only weakly associated with the environmental gradients. Natural and human‐induced environmental gradients, especially soil properties, are important for driving leaf traits and resource‐use strategies of woody plants. Nevertheless, weak associations between functional structure and environmental gradients suggest a high redundancy of functional leaf traits in this tropical montane forest.
Movement Patterns of Frugivorous Birds Promote Functional Connectivity among Chaco Serrano Woodland Fragments in Argentina
Authors: Díaz Vélez María Celeste , Silva Wesley R. , Pizo Marco A. , Galetto Leonardo
Published: June 2015

Movement patterns of frugivorous birds may be altered in anthropogenically fragmented landscapes, with possible consequences for seed dispersal and plant recruitment. We studied the movement patterns and functional connectivity of six frugivorous bird species (Colaptes melanochloros, Thraupis bonariensis, Pitangus sulphuratus, Saltator aurantiirostris, Turdus amaurochalinus, and Elaenia spp.) in a fragmented Chaco‐woodland landscape in Argentina. We recorded the directions of bird movements (arrivals and departures) and whether their destination was oriented toward a specific neighboring fragment. We evaluated the movement rates, distance of interpatch movement, and functional connectivity within the landscape for the six bird species. We applied a novel approach, graph theory, to represent bird movement patterns in the landscape and the functional connections among fragments for each bird species. Bird movements were recorded at point‐count stations established along the edges of each fragment. The directions of arrival and departure movements from and to neighboring fragments revealed complex movement patterns. However, the destination of bird movements after leaving the focal fragments was usually concentrated on only a few neighboring fragments of different sizes. Pitangus sulphuratus and T. bonariensis showed larger movement rates and higher functional connectivity (number of graphs and functional area) than the other frugivorous species. The functional connectivity mediated by movement of frugivorous birds may promote seed dispersal of many bird‐dispersed plant species. As forest loss and fragmentation of Chaco subtropical forests increase, understanding the pivotal role of mobile links exerted by avian seed dispersers is vital to maintaining and conserving this unique ecosystem.
CRKL oncogene is downregulated by p53 through miR‐200s
Authors: Tamura Miyuki , Sasaki Yasushi , Kobashi Kenta , Takeda Kousuke , Nakagaki Takafumi , Idogawa Masashi , Tokino Takashi
Published: June 2015

Tumor suppressive miRNAs that target oncogenes are frequently downregulated in cancers, and this downregulation leads to oncogene pathway activation. Thus, tumor suppressive miRNAs and their target oncogenes have been proposed as useful targets in cancer treatment. miR‐200 family downregulation has been reported in cancer progression and metastasis. The miR‐200 family consists of two gene clusters, miR‐200b/200a/429 and miR‐200c/141, which are located on human chromosomes 1 and 12, respectively. Here, we identified that p53 response elements are located around both clusters of the miR‐200 family and confirmed that miR‐200s are transcriptional targets of the p53 family. In silico analyses of miRNA targets established the CRKL oncogene as a potential target for miR‐200b/200c/429. Moreover, miR‐200b/200c/429 inhibited CRKL mRNA and protein expression by directly targeting its 3′‐UTR region. Importantly, endogenous CRKL expression was decreased in cancer cells through the introduction of p53 family and endogenous p53 activation. Moreover, the downregulation of CRKL by siRNA inhibited cancer cell growth. The Oncomine database demonstrates that CRKL is overexpressed in a subset of cancer types. Furthermore, CRKL is significantly overexpressed in primary breast cancer tissues harboring mutant TP53. Our results demonstrate that the p53 target miR‐200b/200c/429 miRNAs are negative regulators of the CRKL oncogene.
Anterior gradient 2 is a binding stabilizer of hypoxia inducible factor‐1α that enhances CoCl2‐induced doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer cells
Authors: Li Zheqi , Zhu Qi , Hu Lingyun , Chen Hao , Wu Zhenghua , Li Dawei
Published: June 2015

Hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) is associated with human breast cancer chemoresistance. Various reports have suggested that multiple pathways are involved inHIF‐1α induction and that the molecular mechanisms regulatingHIF‐1α‐induced chemoresistance are still not fully understood. Here, we report that anterior gradient 2 (AGR2), a proposed breast cancer biomarker, is an essential regulator in hypoxia‐induced doxorubicin resistance through the binding and stabilization ofHIF‐1α. Our results show that knockdown ofAGR2 inMCF‐7 cells leads to the suppression ofHIF‐1α‐induced doxorubicin resistance, whereas elevated levels ofAGR2 inMDA‐MB‐231 cells enhanceHIF‐1α‐induced doxorubicin resistance.AGR2 expression, in turn, is upregulated by the hypoxic induction ofHIF‐1α at both translational and transcriptional levels via a hypoxia‐responsive region from −937 to −912 bp on theAGR2 promoter sequence. By specific binding toHIF‐1α, the increased level of intracellularAGR2 stabilizesHIF‐1α and delays its proteasomal degradation. Finally, we found thatAGR2‐stabilizedHIF‐1α escalates multiple drug resistance protein 1 (MDR1)mRNAlevels and limits doxorubicin intake ofMCF‐7 cells, whereasMCF‐7/ADR, a doxorubicin resistant cell line with deficientAGR2 andHIF‐1α, acquires wild‐typeMDR1 overexpression. Our findings, for the first time, describeAGR2 as an important regulator in chemical hypoxia‐induced doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer cells, providing a possible explanation for the variable levels of chemoresistance in breast cancers and further validatingAGR2 as a potential anti‐breast cancer therapeutic target.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Ursolic acid Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Prodrugs
Authors: Yang Xiang , Li Yuanfang , Jiang Wei , Ou Minrui , Chen Yali , Xu Yu , Wu Qiong , Zheng Qing , Wu Fuqiang , Wang Lue , Zou Wentao , Zhang Yitong J. , Shao Jingwei
Published: June 2015

Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural product which has been shown to possess a wide range of pharmacological activities, in particular those with anticancer activity. In this study, 13 novel ursolic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized in an attempt to further improve compound potency. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed using mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and 1H NMR. The ability of the UA derivatives to inhibit cell growth was assayed against both various tumor cell lines and a non‐pathogenic cell line, HELF. Analysis of theoretical toxicity risks for all derivatives was performed using OSIRIS and indicated that the majority of compounds would present moderate to low risks. Pharmacological results indicated that the majority of the derivatives were more potent growth inhibitors than UA. In particular, 5b demonstrated IC50 values ranging from 4.09 ± 0.27 to 7.78 ± 0.43 μm against 12 different tumor cell lines. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that 5b induced G0/G1 arrest in three of these cell lines. These results were validated by structural docking studies, which confirmed that UA could bind to cyclins D1 (Cyc D1) and cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDK6), the key regulators of G0/G1 transition in cell cycle, while the piperazine moiety of 5b could bind with glucokinase (GK), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and ATPase, which are the main proteins involved in cancer cell metabolism. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining confirmed that 5b was capable of inducing apoptosis and decreasing cell viability in a dose‐dependent manner.
The influence of sinus membrane thickness upon membrane perforation during lateral window sinus augmentation
Authors: Lin Yen‐Hua , Yang Yueh‐Chao , Wen Shih‐Cheng , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: June 2015

Objectives

To investigate: (1) sinus membrane thickness in patients receiving lateral window sinus augmentation via cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) and (2) the influence of Schneiderian membrane thickness upon membrane perforation during lateral window approach.

Material and methods

A total of 73 subjects with 81 sinus lift procedures between years 2010 and 2013 were recruited consequently. Each patient selected had CBCT images in initial and immediately after surgery. The values and correlation between variables of membrane thickness, perforation rate, membrane morphology, residual bone height, and elevated bone height were evaluated.

Results

The mean thickness of the Schneiderian membrane was 1.32 ± 0.87 mm. Perforation rate was lowest (7.14%) when membrane thickness was 1–1.5 mm. As membrane became thicker (≥2 mm) or thinner (<1 mm), the perforation rate increased abruptly. When examined the membrane thickness category, Class B (between ≥1 mm and <2 mm) had the lowest perforation rate. Statistically significant correlation was found between the perforation and the membrane thickness. The amount of the remaining bone height did not significantly correlate to the membrane thickness nor influence the membrane perforation.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that membrane thickness was related to the sinus perforation during lateral window sinus augmentation. The perforation rate was lowest when the membrane thickness was 1–1.5 mm.
Massive haemoptysis from a central pulmonary arterial pseudoaneurysm secondary to advanced lung cancer: successful treatment by Guglielmi detachable coil embolization
Authors: Zhang Jie , Jiang Sen
Published: June 2015

Massive haemoptysis is a life‐threatening condition in patients with lung cancer. Endovascular embolization has been well‐established as an effective means of treating this condition. Haemoptysis of pulmonary arterial origin is rare, and a pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAP) is generally the main cause. PAP due to lung cancer is also very rare, and the site of bleeding always involves the peripheral lung. We report an unusual case of central PAP secondary to advanced central squamous‐cell carcinoma of the lung in a patient with acute massive haemoptysis. The sac of the pseudoaneurysm underwent successful embolization using various Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). The patient died of lung cancer without recurrence of haemoptysis 42 days post‐embolization. To the best of our knowledge, this case report is the first to describe massive haemoptysis caused by central PAP due to lung cancer and its successful treatment by GDC embolization.
Serum Krebs von den Lungen‐6 level as a diagnostic biomarker for interstitial lung disease in Chinese patients
Authors: Hu Yang , Wang Liu‐Sheng , Jin Yue‐Ping , Du Shan‐Shan , Du Yu‐Kui , He Xian , Weng Dong , Zhou Ying , Li Qiu‐Hong , Shen Li , Zhang Fen , Su Yi‐Liang , Sun Xiao‐Li , Ding Jing‐Jing , Zhang Wen‐Hui , Cai Hou‐Rong , Dai Hua‐Ping , Dai Jing‐Hong , Li Hui‐Ping
Published: June 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic and prognostic values of serum KL‐6 levels in Chinese patients with interstitial lung disease (ILDs).

Methods

A total of 1084 subjects including 373 cases of ILDs, 584 cases of non‐ILD pulmonary diseases, and 127 healthy individuals were recruited from three clinical centers in China between January 2011 and December 2013. A total of 106 patients undergoing treatments for ILDs in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital between January 2011 and December 2013 were enrolled. Baseline and posttreatment serum KL‐6 levels were determined.

Results

Serum KL‐6 levels in patients with ILDs were significantly higher than those in patients with non‐ILD pulmonary diseases or in healthy individuals (1492.09 ± 2230.08 U/mL vs 258.67 ± 268.73 U/mL or 178.73 ± 71.17 U/mL, all P < 0.05). At the cut‐off value of 500 U/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of serum KL‐6 as a diagnostic marker for ILDs was 77.75% and 94.51%, respectively. The Kappa value was 0.743 (P < 0.001). The area below the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.922 with a 95% Confidence interval of 0.904–0.941 (P < 0.001). The posttreatment serum KL‐6 levels significantly reduced in patients with improved ILDs, whereas markedly increased in patients with exacerbated ILDs (All P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Serum KL‐6 levels might be a promising diagnostic biomarker for ILDs in Chinese patients. The prognostic value of serum KL‐6 levels for ILDs remains to be verified by large‐scaled studies.
Management of colorectal T1 carcinoma treated by endoscopic resection
Authors: Saitoh Yusuke , Inaba Yuhei , Sasaki Takahiro , Sugiyama Ryuji , Sukegawa Ryuji , Fujiya Mikihiro
Published: June 2015

As a result of recent advances in endoscopic therapeutic technology, the number of endoscopic resections carried out in the treatment of early colorectal carcinomas with little risk of lymph node metastasis has increased. There are no reports of lymph node metastasis in intramucosal (Tis) carcinomas, whereas lymph node metastasis occurs in 6.8–17.8% of submucosal (T1) carcinomas. Three clinical guidelines have been published in Japan and the management strategy for early colorectal tumors has been demonstrated. According to the 2014 Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum (JSCCR) Guidelines for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer, additional surgery should be done in cases of endoscopically resected T1 carcinoma with a histologically diagnosed positive vertical margin. Additional surgery may also be considered when one of the following histological findings is detected: (i) SM invasion depth ≥1000 µm; (ii) histological type por., sig., or muc.; (iii) grade 2–3 tumor budding; and (iv) positive vascular permeation. A resected lesion that is histologically diagnosed as a T1 carcinoma without any of the above‐mentioned findings can be followed up without additional surgery. As for the prognosis of endoscopically resected T1 carcinomas, the relapse ratio of approximately 3.4% (44/1312) is relatively low. However, relapse is associated with a poor prognosis, with 72 cancer‐related deaths reported out of 134 relapsed cases (54%). A more detailed stratification of the lymph node metastasis risk after endoscopic resection for T1 carcinomas and the prognosis of relapsed cases will be elucidated through prospective studies. Thereafter, the appropriate indications and safe and secure endoscopic resection for T1 carcinomas will be established.
Missional Congregations in Civil Society: An Imagination for God's World
Authors: Dreier Mary Sue Dehmlow
Published: June 2015

This article provides glimpses of the emerging missional church within the civil society arena from the perspective of congregational case studies. Civil society studies offer five potential community contributions that provide congregations expanded possibilities for discerning and fulfilling their missional vocations in their communities. Framed within trinitarian missional theology, these create a meaningful framework for congregations to expand their imaginations and strengthen their public participation with God's mission in today's world.
The Option for Life
Authors: Jorgenson Kiara
Published: June 2015

In today's Anthropocene, the reality of our growing global population, with its requirement of and strain upon the natural world, and our grave projected ecological outlook pose new challenges for Christian ethicists. How can both people and the earth flourish? Discussed within the context of theological and secular reflections on natural law, this article proposes one answer to such a question through a recasting of the human right to nature by way of a deep and wide understanding of vocation. Using Luther as a prototype who demonstrates the innate value of all life forms and offers an innovative working concept of vocation, it is here shown how an emphasis on vocation, when extended ecologically, can promote the option of life for all.
Temporal change in vegetation productivity in grain production landscapes: linking landscape complexity with pest and natural enemy communities
Authors: MACFADYEN SARINA , KRAMER ELIZABETH A. , PARRY HAZEL R. , SCHELLHORN NANCY A.
Published: June 2015

1. Strategies to enhance the ecosystem service of pest control in agricultural landscapes often rely on manipulating the structure of the landscape to reduce pest population build‐up or facilitate natural enemy activity. For highly mobile and polyphagous invertebrate pest species the agricultural landscape represents a continually changing mosaic of resources and habitats that at certain points in time may be conducive to high population productivity and therefore pest outbreaks. Deciding which features of the landscape we need to measure and monitor to understand this process is the first step in developing intervention strategies. Previous studies have focused on static measures of landscape composition and have generally ignored landscape configuration and change across time.

2. In this study we sampled invertebrate pests and predatory natural enemies repeatedly over two years from crop, pasture and semi‐natural habitats (up to 36 sites per landscape) in multiple agricultural landscapes (14km diameter circles) across Australia's grain production regions. The temporal pattern in vegetation productivity was quantified (using remote‐sensed Normalized Differential Vegetation Index) at the landscape‐scale and related to the pest and natural enemy density data.

3. Metrics derived from the vegetation show variation across time and highlight transition points in the landscape that might represent important shifts in resources for higher trophic levels. The landscape metrics that were related to pest density were different in each landscape, but generally characterized connectivity of vegetation classes (more than configuration or composition). How connected or dis‐aggregated vegetation productivity classes were appears important for pest dynamics in these landscapes.
A stable, genetically determined colour dimorphism in the dung beetle Aphodius depressus: patterns and mechanisms
Authors: KUUSIJÄRVI ANNIINA , HARDWICK BESS , LUOTO MISKA , ROSLIN TOMAS
Published: June 2015

1. Melanism – the occurrence of dark morphs – in insects has been attributed to differences in, among other things, thermoregulation and immune defence. Dark individuals are hypothesised to perform better in colder areas, and to exhibit stronger melanin‐based immune defence.

2. In the present study, the geographical distribution of two colour morphs in Aphodius depressus (Kugelann), its climatic correlates, and temporal stability was described. Underlying mechanisms were then targeted through experiments: the inheritance of colour through controlled crosses, heating rates by thermal imaging, physiological tolerance by critical thermal limits, and immune efficiency by melanisation of implants.

3. In A. depressus, colour appears inherited by simple Mendelian principles, with red dominating over black. The frequency of two colour morphs forms a large‐scale cline. In the South West of Finland, all individuals are black, whereas, in the North East, most are red. This pattern has remained constant over 13 years (1996–2008).

4. The geographical pattern was not attributable to thermoregulation: black morphs were more abundant in warmer rather than colder parts of the country. In experiments, we found no differences in the heating rate of the two morphs, or in their upper temperature maxima. Neither did the morphs differ in their response to artificial objects inserted in their haemolymph.

5. Overall, colour variation in A. depressus occurs as a stable, genetically determined dimorphism, governed by Mendelian inheritance. Yet, no support for prevailing theory of factors sustaining melanism was found. The reasons for colour polymorphism in insects may thus be complex, and should be sought on a case‐by‐case basis.
Feeding ecology and prey resource partitioning of lenok (Brachymystax lenok) and Baikal grayling (Thymallus arcticus baicalensis) in the Eg and Uur rivers, Mongolia
Authors: Olson Kirk W. , Jensen Olaf P. , Hrabik Thomas R.
Published: June 2015

Baikal grayling (Thymallus arcticus baicalensis) and lenok (Brachymystax lenok) are two salmonids which co‐occur in lakes and rivers of the Selenga River and Lake Baikal drainage in northern Mongolia and Siberia. Populations of both species have declined due to habitat loss and overfishing. Previous studies have established that diets of both species are comprised of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, but none have examined how prey resources are partitioned between the species. We explored resource partitioning between these species using information from stomach content analysis and stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen. Stomach content data were also compared to invertebrate prey availability estimated from drift and benthic samples. Stomach content analysis indicated that lenok were benthic specialists, while Baikal grayling exhibited a more generalised and surface‐oriented diet, preying upon both terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. In addition, drifting invertebrate prey availability was positively related to diet overlap based on stomach content analysis, suggesting that competition was involved in the prey resource partitioning we observed. Our analysis of assimilated diet using stable isotopes was generally consistent with stomach contents, indicating that prey partitioning was sustained over a period of several months, but also revealed a greater importance of fish prey to lenok diets. This study provides a baseline description of prey utilisation and prey resource partitioning between lenok and Baikal grayling, which may be used to guide management and future research of these threatened species.
Dopamine modulation of rod pathway signaling by suppression of GABAC feedback to rod‐driven depolarizing bipolar cells
Authors: Smith Benjamin J. , Côté Patrice D. , Tremblay François
Published: June 2015

Reducing signal gain in the highly sensitive rod pathway prevents saturation as background light levels increase, allowing the dark‐adapted retina to encode stimuli over a range of background luminances. Dopamine release is increased during light adaptation and is generally accepted to suppress rod signaling in light‐adapted retinas. However, recent research has suggested that dopamine, acting through D1 receptors, could additionally produce a sensitization of the rod pathway in dim light conditions via gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) type C receptors. Here, we evaluated the overall activity of the depolarizing bipolar cell (DBC) population in vivo to ensure the integrity of long‐distance network interactions by quantifying the b‐wave of the electroretinogram in mice. We showed that dopamine, acting through D1 receptors, reduced the amplitude and sensitivity of rod‐driven DBCs during light adaptation by suppressing GABA type A receptor‐mediated serial inhibition onto rod DBC GABA type C receptors. Block of D1 receptors did not suppress rod‐driven DBC sensitivity when GABAA‐mediated serial inhibition was blocked by gabazine, suggesting that the reduction in rod‐driven DBC sensitivity in the absence of D1 receptors was due to disinhibition of serial inhibitory GABAergic circuitry rather than a direct facilitatory effect on GABA release onto rod‐driven DBC GABA type C receptors. Finally, the large population of GABAergic A17 wide‐field amacrine cells known to maintain reciprocal inhibition with rod DBCs could be excluded from the proposed disinhibitory circuit after treatment with 5,7‐dihydroxytryptamine.
Personality and Affinities Play a Key Role in the Organisation of Collective Movements in a Group of Domestic Horses
Authors: Briard Léa , Dorn Camille , Petit Odile
Published: June 2015

Understanding how groups of individuals with different motives come to daily decisions about the exploitation of their environment is a key question in animal behaviour. While interindividual differences are often seen only as a threat to group cohesion, growing evidence shows that they may to some extent facilitate effective collective action. Recent studies suggest that personality differences influence how individuals are attracted to conspecifics and affect their behaviour as an initiator or a follower. However, most of the existing studies are limited to a few taxa, mainly social fish and arthropods. Horses are social herbivores that live in long‐lasting groups and show identifiable personality differences between individuals. We studied a group of 38 individuals living in a 30‐ha hilly pasture. Over 200 h, we sought to identify how far individual differences such as personality and affinity distribution affect the dynamic of their collective movements. First, we report that individuals distribute their relationships according to similar personality and hierarchical rank. This is the first study that demonstrates a positive assortment between unrelated individuals according to personality in a mammal species. Second, we measured individual propensity to initiate and found that bold individuals initiated more often than shy individuals. However, their success in terms of number of followers and joining duration did not depend on their individual characteristics. Moreover, joining process is influenced by social network, with preferred partners following each other and bolder individuals being located more often at the front of the movement. Our results illustrate the importance of taking into account interindividual behavioural differences in studies of social behaviours.
Target‐specific variants of Flp recombinase mediate genome engineering reactions in mammalian cells
Authors: Shah Riddhi , Li Feng , Voziyanova Eugenia , Voziyanov Yuri
Published: June 2015

Genome engineering relies on DNA‐modifying enzymes that are able to locate a DNA sequence of interest and initiate a desired genome rearrangement. Currently, the field predominantly utilizes site‐specific DNA nucleases that depend on the host DNA repair machinery to complete a genome modification task. We show here that genome engineering approaches that employ target‐specific variants of the self‐sufficient, versatile site‐specific DNA recombinase Flp can be developed into promising alternatives. We demonstrate that the Flp variant evolved to recombine an FRT‐like sequence, FL‐IL10A, which is located upstream of the human interleukin‐10 gene, and can target this sequence in the model setting of Chinese hamster ovary and human embryonic kidney 293 cells. This target‐specific Flp variant is able to perform the integration reaction and, when paired with another recombinase, the dual recombinase‐mediated cassette exchange reaction. The efficiency of the integration reaction in human cells can be enhanced by ‘humanizing’ the Flp variant gene and by adding the nuclear localization sequence to the recombinase.
Rapid method for low cycle fatigue properties: thickness effect on the fatigue crack initiation life of welded joints
Authors: Raujol‐Veillé J. , Thévenet D. , Doudard C. , Calloch S. , Minnebo H.
Published: June 2015

Welded assemblies are commonly used in the shipbuilding industry. Because of the combination of stress concentration and cyclic loading, welded joints could be a critical area for fatigue damage. Thus, knowing stress and strain histories at the critical points of the structure is necessary, particularly when a confined plasticity occurs, to determine the fatigue life of welded assemblies. To avoid time‐consuming nonlinear finite element analyses (FEA), simplified estimation methods of the elastic–plastic strain/stress can be used. In a previous work, an approach to estimate stress state at critical points was developed and employed in the case of double‐notched specimens. The present paper focuses on welded joints in order to validate this strategy with the aim to estimate the fatigue crack initiation life of T‐joints. To go further, a parametric approach has been adopted to take into account the local geometries of welded joints and to determine the constraint operator without any FEA. The results predicted by this approach are compared with experimental fatigue results.
Beyond utopia and a ‘power‐full’ state: a reply toNuesiri
Authors: Asiyanbi Adeniyi P
Published: June 2015

Struggles of communities for rights and control over forests continue despite the rhetoric about decentralisation. Nuesiri suggests that a failing of decentralised forest management stems from its pure utopian vision that attracts both loyalty and opposition. I argue that such framing is as novel as it is problematic. A utopian frame unhelpfully purifies. It assumes that the often declared proponents of decentralisation were thoroughly ambitious about ‘creating space for communities’. Explanations suggesting that the state selectively shares its power risk portraying non‐state actors as passively waiting for a ‘power‐full’ state to share power. I show, through an example of anIntegratedConservation andDevelopmentProject inNigeria, how the often declared proponents of decentralisation may not have been as ambitious as a utopian frame suggests. I argue that a failing of decentralised forest management might be precisely that it probably never was a utopia.

A reply to Nuesiri (2014)