bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three cases of pigmented cosmetic dermatitis‐like eruptions associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome or anti‐SSA antibody
Authors: Takeo Naoko , Sakai Takashi , Saito‐Shono Tomoko , Ishikawa Kazushi , Hatano Yutaka , Katagiri Kazumoto , Takahashi Yoshihiro , Kawano Kenji , Kimoto Kenichi , Kubota Toshiaki , Eshima Nobuoki , Kojima Hiroto , Fujiwara Sakuhei
Published: February 2016

Pigmented cosmetic dermatitis‐like (Riehl's melanosis‐like) pigmentation was reported in three of 27 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. But case reports of such eruptions are rare. We describe three cases of such eruptions associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome or anti‐SSA antibody and possible associations with specific types of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and infiltrating lymphocytes. These middle‐aged Japanese women had reticular facial pigmentation and histopathological examination revealed interface dermatitis, melanophages, and dense lymphocytic infiltration around hair follicles and sweat ducts. HLA typing revealed common antigenic equivalents or genetic typing of HLA‐A2, DR52, DPA1(02:02) and DPB1(05:01). Immunohistochemical staining revealed major subsets of T cells to be CD8 and CD45RO. Some Foxp3‐ and few IL17‐positive cells were found in strong contrast to the major CD4 subset of infiltrated T cells in annular erythema associated with Sjögren's syndrome. Apparently, our patients' pigmentation represented a specific etiology associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome or anti‐SSA antibody.
Presence of antidrug antibodies correlates inversely with the plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α level and the efficacy of TNF‐inhibitor therapy in psoriasis
Authors: Kui Róbert , Gál Brigitta , Gaál Magdolna , Kiss Mária , Kemény Lajos , Gyulai Rolland
Published: February 2016

Antidrug antibodies have been shown to be associated with a loss of response during biologic therapy. Despite the potential association, there has been no report on the simultaneous monitoring of the following parameters in psoriasis: presence of neutralizing antibodies, plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α concentration, TNFi concentration and disease activity. Plasma concentrations of adalimumab, infliximab, etanercept and their respective antidrug antibodies, as well as plasma concentrations of TNF‐α were measured in 77 psoriasis patients receiving biologic therapy, and the values were correlated with the clinical activity of the skin disease. Antidrug antibodies were identified in the plasma of 25% of infliximab‐treated patients and 29.6% of adalimumab‐treated patients, but not in the etanercept group. Clinical severity scores were significantly higher in the antibody‐positive patients. In patients receiving infliximab or adalimumab therapy, the presence of antidrug antibodies was directly associated with reduced plasma TNF‐inhibitor concentration and elevated plasma TNF‐α level.
Detection and identification of Trichophyton tonsurans from clinical isolates and hairbrush samples by loop‐mediated isothermal amplification system
Authors: Yo Ayaka , Yamamoto Mikachi , Nakayama Takako , Ishikawa Jun , Makimura Koichi
Published: February 2016

Since the 1990s, there have been reports of the spread of dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans among contact sports athletes in several countries, including Japan. This study was performed to develop a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) system for rapid and accurate detection and identification of T. tonsurans from clinical isolates or hairbrush samples for diagnosis and to prevent the spread of infection. A specific primer set was prepared by comparing the whole genome sequence of T. tonsurans with those of six other closely related dermatophytes. After confirming the sensitivity and specificity of this system, LAMP assay was performed using 37 clinical samples obtained from three healthy volunteers and 24 judo athletes. A total of 155 fungal isolates (56 strains of various standard fungi, 96 identified T. tonsurans isolates, three hairbrush‐cultured isolates from judo athletes) and 37 hairbrush samples (34 samples from 24 judo athletes, and three samples from three healthy volunteers) were used for culture and LAMP assay, respectively. The assay showed no cross‐reactivity to standard strains other than T. tonsurans. The detection limit was 100 copies of DNA template per tube. All of the 96 T. tonsurans isolates were amplified, and all samples from healthy volunteers showed negative results. Four of the 34 hairbrush samples obtained from judo athletes showed positive results in LAMP assay, and two of the four were positive in both culture and LAMP assay. We developed a rapid LAMP system with high specificity and sensitivity for diagnosis of T. tonsurans infection.
Manipulation of light spectral quality disrupts host location and attachment by parasitic plants in the genus Cuscuta
Authors: Johnson Beth I. , De Moraes Consuelo M. , Mescher Mark C.
Published: February 2016

Parasitic plants in the genus Cuscuta (dodders) make their living by extracting resources from other plants. While relatively few dodder species are agricultural pests, those that are can be challenging to control, in part due to their intimate physical and physiological association with host plants. Consequently, dodders remain pervasive and economically damaging pests in a variety of crop systems. The development of improved management strategies would be facilitated by greater understanding of the ecological and environmental factors that influence the establishment and perpetuation of dodder infestations.

Light cues play an important role in dodder host location and attachment. To better understand the influence of light conditions on parasite ecology, and potential implications for management, we examined how manipulating the ratio of red to far‐red wavelengths (R:FR), via both passive filtering of natural sunlight and active spectral manipulation using LEDs, affects host location and host attachment by two dodder species (C. campestris on tomato hosts and C. gronovii on jewelweed).

For both host–parasite combinations, host location and subsequent attachment by dodder parasites was dramatically reduced in high‐R:FR environments compared to control conditions (with R:FR characteristic of sunlight) and low‐R:FR conditions. Circumnutation by dodder seedlings was also significantly faster under high R:FR.

We observed short‐term effects of high R:FR on the height and dry mass of tomato host plants (immediately following 7‐day exposure), as well as changes in tomato volatile emissions. However, preliminary investigation of long‐term effects on host plants suggests that short‐term exposure to high R:FR (i.e. during the critical period when dodder seedlings emerge and attach to hosts) has little or no effect on host plant size or fruit yield at the time of harvest.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings suggest that spectral manipulation during the early stages of crop plant growth (e.g. via light‐filtering row covers) may have significant potential to augment existing methods for managing or preventing dodder infestations in agricultural crops. We discuss potential obstacles to the realization of its potential, as well as next steps towards the development and optimization of spectral manipulation methods for use in agroecosystems.
Which mechanisms drive seasonal rabies outbreaks in raccoons? A test using dynamic social network models
Authors: Hirsch Ben T. , Reynolds Jennifer J.H. , Gehrt Stanley D. , Craft Meggan E.
Published: February 2016

The timing of raccoon rabies outbreaks in the easternUSAis non‐random and often exhibits a seasonal peak. While fluctuations in disease transmission can be driven by seasonal changes in animal population dynamics, behaviour and physiology, it is still unclear which causal factors lead to seasonal outbreaks of raccoon rabies.

We used dynamic network modelling to test which of three seasonally changing factors are most likely responsible for raccoon rabies outbreaks: (i) birth pulses, (ii) changes in social network structure and (iii) changes in social contact duration.

In contrast to previous predictions, we found that a change in social contact duration was the single most important driver of rabies seasonality. More specifically, co‐denning for thermoregulation during the winter increases the amount of time individuals spend in close contact, which in turn should lead to peaks in rabies transmission during the winter.

Increased time spent in close proximity during cold winter months has implications for seasonal disease patterns in raccoon populations across a latitudinal gradient, as well as potentially being important for pathogens transmitted by close contact in other wildlife hosts.

Synthesis and applications. By incorporating detailed empirical data describing variation in raccoon contacts into a network modelling framework, it is possible to determine the likely causal mechanisms driving seasonal disease patterns. This can be crucial information for wildlife and public health officials implementing wildlife disease control programmes.
Response to agriculture by a woodland species depends on cover type and behavioural state: insights from resident and dispersing Iberian lynx
Authors: Gastón Aitor , Blázquez‐Cabrera Sandra , Garrote Germán , Mateo‐Sánchez María C. , Beier Paul , Simón Miguel A. , Saura Santiago
Published: February 2016

Conservation biology faces the challenge of ensuring species persistence in increasingly modified landscapes. Agriculture covers a large proportion of the Earth's surface, but the degree to which crop production is compatible with species use of the landscape is still uncertain, particularly for woodland carnivores with large territories. Here, we focus on the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus, an emblematic endangered species that has coexisted for centuries with human‐modified Mediterranean mosaics, as a case study to unravel habitat and dispersal preferences in heterogeneous landscapes.

We estimated species resource selection from ≈40 000 telemetry locations for 48 GPS‐collared individuals covering all the current Iberian lynx range, including more fragmented areas where the species was reintroduced from 2009. We differentiated GPS locations within home ranges (to estimate habitat suitability) and those corresponding to dispersal or exploratory movements (to estimate landscape permeability). We built mixed conditional logistic regression models with 12 land cover classes, terrain slope and roads as predictors.

We found that lynx response to agriculture largely depends on the crop type and on the presence of natural vegetation remnants. Lynx largely avoided intensive cultivation areas such as irrigated arable lands when establishing home ranges, but frequently selected permanent crops (olive groves) and/or heterogeneous agricultural lands, which were used with smaller differences to the most preferred shrubland or forest covers than reported in previous studies.

Such differences further narrowed down when lynx moved outside home ranges, with some agricultural covers being as permeable as shrublands for lynx dispersal. The species dispersal plasticity was also evidenced by a much weaker avoidance of roads and steep terrain when dispersing than when selecting territories.

Synthesis and applications. We conclude that (i) the widespread consideration of all agricultural lands within a single (and usually regarded as unsuitable) class for the study and management of woodland or forest species is not supported and that (ii) the ability of woodland species to use fragmented and heterogeneous agricultural landscapes may have been underestimated, which may mislead conservation measures due to a priori assumptions that do not relate to the actual species responses to heterogeneous land covers. We suggest that Iberian lynx conservation and reintroduction may be successful in a wider set of more heterogeneous areas than previously thought, including mainly well‐conserved Mediterranean woodlands but also some extensive agricultural lands with permanent crops and natural vegetation remnants.
Novel strategies for molecular targeting to cancer
Authors: Liu Jun‐Ping
Published: February 2016

This editorial draws attention to the work published by CEPP in 2014–2015 on mechanisms underlying cancer drug resistance, invasion and metastasis. Genetic, genomic and immunological changes in platinum drug resistance and new drug candidates for cancer metastasis are highlighted. Attention is paid to the Epimedium plant drug icariin in glioblastoma invasion, the plant Avicennia marina bioactive compound Naphtho[1,2‐b]furan‐4,5‐dione in breast cancer metastasis, the PI3K inhibitor BEZ235 in colon cancer stem cells, the histone methyltransferase EZH1 inhibitor GSK343 in cervical cancer, and vitamin D3 in prostate cancer.
Disordered eating and the contradictions of neoliberal governance
Authors: Pirie Iain
Published: February 2016

The last decade has seen the development of an important literature on the contradictions between neoliberal norms of corporal citizenship and the forms of consumption that market‐based food systems promote. This paper seeks to contribute to the literature by exploring the relationship between these contradictions and the increased prevalence of particular eating disorders (binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa). Within contemporary neoliberal food systems bingeing is increasingly normalised and consumption temporally disorganised. At the same time, neoliberal public health policy, and the wider ‘health’ entertainment media it legitimates, focuses on the promotion of ‘correct’ forms of consumer agency. Individuals who fail to manage consumption ‘appropriately’ are stigmatised. The growth of bulimia and BED can be related to the contradictory pressures that the food system and regime of corporal governance place on individuals. The paper also seeks to explore how the increased medicalisation and biomedicalisation of eating since the 1980s fits within a broader neoliberal governance strategy. By medicalising key social problems the neoliberal state depoliticises these issues. Medicalisation and biomedicalisation obscure the role of capitalism in generating these problems and encourage a focus on individual dysfunction.
Understanding the lived experience of women before and after fistula repair: a qualitative study in Kenya
Authors: Khisa W , Wakasiaka S , McGowan L , Campbell M , Lavender T
Published: February 2016

Objective

To gain understanding of the first‐hand experience of women prior to and following repair of a vaginal fistula, to determine the most effective support mechanisms.

Design

Qualitative phenomenological study using a series of in‐depth semi‐structured interviews at two time points: prior to fistula repair and 6 months post‐surgery. Data were analysed thematically.

Setting

Three fistula clinics in three districts in Kenya.

Population

A purposive sample of 16 women suffering with vaginal fistula who were seeking fistula repair.

Methods

Thrity‐two semi‐structured interviews were conducted.

Results

The two main themes represented the women's journeys from social isolation to social reintegration. Women felt euphoric following fistula repair, believing that a ‘miracle’ had occurred. However, the ‘post‐miracle phase’ demonstrated that the social and psychological impact of fistula leaves scars that are not easily healed, even when fistula repair is successful.

Conclusion

Women's experiences of living with fistula have an impact beyond that which can be repaired solely by surgery. The findings from this study support the need for more active psychological assessment in the management of women with fistula, and the role of targeted psychological support in any package of care given in the post repair phase. The format of this support requires further study. Engagement by health professionals with the wider community could raise awareness of the causes of fistula, and provide support for significant others who may also be feeling vulnerable. It is likely that the collaborative efforts from health professionals and community members will provide the most effective support.

Tweetable abstract

Fistula surgery alone is insufficient for women's physical, social and psychological recovery.
Treatment Effect Estimation Using Nonlinear Two‐Stage Instrumental Variable Estimators: Another Cautionary Note
Authors: Chapman Cole G. , Brooks John M.
Published: February 2016

Objective

To examine the settings of simulation evidence supporting use of nonlinear two‐stage residual inclusion (2SRI) instrumental variable (IV) methods for estimating average treatment effects (ATE) using observational data and investigate potential bias of 2SRI across alternative scenarios of essential heterogeneity and uniqueness of marginal patients.

Study Design

Potential bias of linear and nonlinear IV methods for ATE and local average treatment effects (LATE) is assessed using simulation models with a binary outcome and binary endogenous treatment across settings varying by the relationship between treatment effectiveness and treatment choice.

Principal Findings

Results show that nonlinear 2SRI models produce estimates of ATE and LATE that are substantially biased when the relationships between treatment and outcome for marginal patients are unique from relationships for the full population. Bias of linear IV estimates for LATE was low across all scenarios.

Conclusions

Researchers are increasingly opting for nonlinear 2SRI to estimate treatment effects in models with binary and otherwise inherently nonlinear dependent variables, believing that it produces generally unbiased and consistent estimates. This research shows that positive properties of nonlinear 2SRI rely on assumptions about the relationships between treatment effect heterogeneity and choice.
Immigration and the Property Market: Evidence from England and Wales
Authors: Braakmann Nils
Published: February 2016

This article investigates the link between immigration and property markets in England and Wales. Evidence from fixed effects and shift‐share–based instrumental variable regressions suggests that an increase in regional immigration, depending on the specification, either decreases prices at the lower end of the distribution up to the median or leaves them unchanged and has (almost) no effect on mean property prices or prices above the median. The evidence suggests that these findings can be explained through an interaction between the markets for rented and owned properties as well as through changes in the usage of housing space.
Molecular characterization and expression analysis of target of rapamycin (TmTOR) in coleopteran insect Tenebrio molitor
Authors: Jo Yong Hun , Lee Jung Hee , Tindwa Hamisi , Patnaik Hongray Howerelia , Seong Jeong Hwan , Kim Soo Gon , Patnaik Bharat Bhusan , Oh Seunghan , Lee Yong Seok , Han Yeon Soo
Published: February 2016

Target of rapamycin (TOR) is an evolutionarily conserved serine–threonine kinase that affects various cellular functions including growth, development, ageing, immunity and autophagy. Inhibition in TOR activity stimulates autophagy, a self‐eating process that ensures survival by maintaining metabolic homeostasis and energy retention at both cellular and organismal levels. To understand the interplay between TOR and autophagy during development and immunity, we screened and identified a TOR homologue from the coleopteran insect, Tenebrio molitor (TmTOR). The full‐length cDNA of TmTOR contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 7,197 bp encoding a protein of 2,398 amino acids, and a 5′‐ and 3′‐ untranslated region (UTR) of 156 and 457 bp, respectively. Deduced amino acid sequence of TmTOR shows characteristic Huntington, EF3A, ATM, TOR (HEAT) repeat, focal adhesion kinase targeting (FAT), rapamycin‐binding, phosphatidylinositol 3‐/4‐kinase and FRAP, ATM and TRRAP C‐terminal (FATC) domains known to be conserved among TOR orthologs. TmTOR showed high sequence identity (92%) with Tribolium castaneum TOR (TcTOR) and the two were placed in the same cluster of the phylogenetic tree. TmTOR shows high mRNA expression level in the fat body and integument of T. molitor larvae. Significantly, a reduced expression of TmTOR mRNA during pupation correlated to an increase in the area of autolysosomes. Intriguingly, T. molitor larvae showed an increase in TmTOR transcripts upon a challenge with various bacterial pathogens. This suggests a negative role of TmTOR in the regulation of autophagy during development.
Bioactivity of a Rice Bran–Derived Peptide and Its Sensory Evaluation and Storage Stability in Orange Juice
Authors: Graves Amanda M. , Hettiarachchy Navam , Rayaprolu Srinivas , Li Ruiqi , Horax Ronny , Seo Han‐Seok
Published: February 2016

A pentapeptide prepared from rice bran demonstrated growth inhibition on human lung, liver, breast, and colon cancer cell lines. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the human prostate cancer growth inhibition by the pentapeptide and its 6‐mo storage stability by incorporating spray‐dried orange juice, and determining sensory acceptability. The pentapeptide showed inhibition of human prostate cancer cells by 45% at 460 μg/mL concentration. When incorporated in spray‐dried orange juice, and reconstituted with water and tested, there was an approximately 10% degradation of the peptide at 620 μg/mL concentration under refrigerated conditions over a 6 mo storage period, whereas at ambient temperature the degradation was 30%. Larger degradation was observed when 240 or 460 μg/mL pentapeptide was used. Overall, consumer panelists liked sensory aspect of the reconstituted pentapeptide incorporated orange juice beverage. Also consumer panelists liked the color and mouthfeel attributes, their hedonic impression of flavor attribute was slightly low due to unpalatable bitter note caused by the presence of the peptide. Incorporation of the pentapeptide in spray‐dried orange juice has the potential to serve as a functional food ingredient that can offer health benefits to consumers. It is possible that the structural instability can be minimized by encapsulation.
Water Holding as Determinant for the Elastically Stored Energy in Protein‐Based Gels
Authors: Pouvreau Laurice , van Wijlen Emke , Klok Jan , Urbonaite Vaida , Munialo Claire D. , de Jongh Harmen H.J.
Published: February 2016

To evaluate the importance of the water holding capacity for the elastically stored energy of protein gels, a range of gels were created from proteins from different origin (plant: pea and soy proteins, and animal: whey, blood plasma, egg white proteins, and ovalbumin) varying in network morphology set by the protein concentration, pH, ionic strength, or the presence of specific ions.

The results showed that the observed positive and linear relation between water holding (WH) and elastically stored energy (RE) is generic for globular protein gels studied. The slopes of this relation are comparable for all globular protein gels (except for soy protein gels) whereas the intercept is close to 0 for most of the systems except for ovalbumin and egg white gels. The slope and intercept obtained allows one to predict the impact of tuning WH, by gel morphology or network stiffness, on the mechanical deformation of the protein‐based gel. Addition of charged polysaccharides to a protein system leads to a deviation from the linear relation between WH and RE and this deviation coincides with a change in phase behavior.
The correlation between miR‐146a C/G polymorphism and UHRF1 gene expression level in gastric tumor
Authors: Soleimani Azam , Ghanadi Kourosh , Noormohammadi Zahra , Irani Shiva
Published: February 2016

Objective

To investigate the association between the polymorphism of miR‐146a and The ubiquitin‐like with PHD and ring‐finger domains 1 (UHRF1) expression in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods

MiR‐146a rs2910164 was genotyped in 130 patients with gastric cancer and 130 cancer‐free individuals using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. UHRF1 expression was analyzed in 22 gastric cancer tissues and their adjacent normal tissues using quantitative real‐time PCR.

Results

No significant differences in genotype distributions of miR‐146a rs2910164 were found between cases and controls, but we observed that grade II tumors were more frequently detected in patients with CG/CC genotype compared to those with CC genotype. UHRF1 expressions in cancerous tissues were significantly higher than in noncancerous tissues (1.89‐fold). Patients with CC genotype showed a significant increase in UHRF1 expression in comparison to the carriers of GG/CG genotype. A higher UHRF1 expression was associated with cancer stage IV and grade III (P<0.05).

Conclusion

The overexpression of UHRF1 was correlated with the stage and grade of gastric cancer and is associated with the genotype distribution of rs2910164.
Psychological factors influence the overlap syndrome in functional gastrointestinal disorders and their effect on quality of life among firefighters in South Korea
Authors: Jang Seung‐Ho , Ryu Han‐Seung , Choi Suck‐Chei , Lee Sang‐Yeol
Published: February 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictor variables that could influence overlap syndrome in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) among firefighters in Korea.

Methods

Data collected from 1217 firefighters in Korea were reviewed. FGID were diagnosed according to the Rome III diagnostic criteria. Psychological factors were measured by self‐reported questionnaires. The scores for depression, anxiety, quality of life (QOL) and occupational job stress were analyzed. The correlation between psychological factors and QOL was analyzed and a stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed.

Results

FGID were observed in 461 (37.9%) participants. In those with FGID, functional heartburn (FH) was most common (32.2%), followed by functional dyspepsia (12.2%). Patients with overlap syndrome had the highest depression, anxiety and occupational stress score than those having non‐overlap syndrome and healthy controls, respectively (depression: F = 142.29, η2 = 0.190; anxiety: F = 88.33, η2 = 0.127; occupational stress: F = 43.68, η2 = 0.067; all P < 0.001). Healthy controls had the highest QOL score (F = 73.39, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.108). Pychological factors were significantly correlated with QOL in the overlap syndrome of FGID. After the stepwise selection, the final model explained 45.6% of predictable variance and contained four significant variables: depression, self‐esteem, occupational stress and anxiety.

Conclusions

Psychological factors are associated with the overlap syndrome of FGID. Acknowledging this common comorbidity may facilitate the recognition and treatment of patients with FGID.
Use of mulberry–soybean intercropping in salt–alkali soil impacts the diversity of the soil bacterial community
Authors: Li Xin , Sun Minglong , Zhang Huihui , Xu Nan , Sun Guangyu
Published: February 2016

Diverse intercropping system has been used to control disease and improve productivity in the field. In this research, the bacterial communities in salt–alkali soils of monoculture and intercropping mulberry and soybean were studied using 454‐pyrosequencing of the 16S rDNA gene. The dominant taxonomic groups were Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes and Gemmatimonadetes and these were present across all samples. However, the diversity and composition of bacterial communities varied between monoculture and intercropping samples. The estimated bacterial diversity (H') was higher with intercropping soybean than in monoculture soybean, whereas H' showed an opposite pattern in monoculture and intercropping mulberry. Populations of Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Proteobacteria were variable, depending on growth of plants as monoculture or intercropped. Most of Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi were found in intercropping samples, while Acidobacteria and Proteobacteria were present at a higher percentage in monoculture samples. The plant diversity of aboveground and microbial diversity of belowground was linked and soil pH seemed to influence the bacterial community. Finally, the specific plant species was the major factor that determined the bacterial community in the salt–alkali soils.
A Whole Plant Herbaceous Angiosperm from the Middle Jurassic of China
Authors: Gang HAN , Zhongjian LIU , Xueling LIU , Limi MAO , JACQUES Frédéric M.B. , Xin WANG
Published: February 2016

In contrast to woody habit with secondary growth, truthful herbaceous habit lacking secondary growth is restricted to angiosperms among seed plants. Although angiosperms might have occurred as early as in the Triassic and herbaceous habit theoretically may have been well adopted by pioneer angiosperms, pre‐Cretaceous herbs are missing hitherto, leaving the origin of herbs and evolution of herbaceous angiosperms mysterious. Here we report Juraherba bodae gen. et sp. nov, a whole plant herbaceous angiosperm, from the Middle Jurassic (>164 Ma) at Daohugou Village, Inner Mongolia, China, a fossil Lagerstätten that is worldwide famous for various fossil finds. The angiospermous affinity of Juraherba is ensured by its enclosed ovules/seeds. The plant is small but complete, with physically connected hairy root, stem, leaves, and fructifications. The Middle Jurassic age recommends Juraherba as the earliest record of herbaceous seed plants, demanding a refresh look at the evolutionary history of angiosperms.
Research on Dinoasur Footprints in Zizhou, Shaanxi Province, China
Authors: Baopeng WANG , Jianjun LI , Zhiqiang BAI , Junmin GAO , Shurong DONG , Bailin HU , Suiqin ZHAO , Jieqiong CHANG
Published: February 2016

In recent years, the discoveries of dinosaur footprints have been successively reported from Dianshi Town, Zizhou City, Shaanxi Province. The footprints include the tracks of theropod, ornithopod and sauropod as well. Actually, the dinosaur footprints were found by local inhabitants much earlier in history, but not for science. The slabs bearing the dinosaur footprints were collected for domestic use, such as building stones, millstones, cellar covers, sheepfold fences, windlass holders, etc. This paper is to describe the dinosaur footprints on both sides of three slabs used for cellar covers, sheepfold fences and windlass holders by the local people. 24 dinosaur footprints and 4 trackways have been recognized and all of them belong to theropod. Four kinds of dinosaur footprints are identified, including 1 new ichnogenus and 2 new ichnospecies: (1) Shanbeipus caudatus ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov.; (2) Pengxianpus yulinensis ichnosp. nov.; (3) Eubrontes ichnosp; (4) Kayentapus ichnosp. Dinosaur‐footprint‐bearing beds were initially identified as the Fuxian Formation of the Lower Jurassic. Multipal dinosaur footprints associated with fragment plant fossils suggest a humid fluvio‐lacustrine environment setting in the Ordos Basin during the early period of the Jurassic.
Discovering Crustal Deformation Bands by Processing Regional Gravity Field
Authors: Wencai YANG , Yanyun SUN
Published: February 2016

Objectives: This article presents a new computational procedure to discover scratches buried in the earth's crust. We also validate this new interdisciplinary analysis method with regional gravity data located in a well‐known Dabie orogenic zone for test.

Methods: Based on the scratch analysis method evolved with mathematical morphology of surfaces, we present a procedure that extracts information of the crustal scratches from regional gravity data. Because the crustal scratches are positively and highly correlated to crustal deformation bands, it can be used for delineation of the crustal deformation belts. The scratches can be quantitatively characterized by calculation of the ridge coefficient function, whose high value traces delineate the deformation bands hidden in the regional gravity field. In addition, because the degree of crustal deformation is an important indicator of tectonic unit divisions, so the crust can be further divided according to the degree of crustal deformation into some tectonic units by using the ridge coefficient data, providing an objective base map for earth scientists to build tectonic models with quantitative evidence.

Results: After the ridge coefficients are calculated, we can further enhance the boundary of high ridge‐coefficient blocks, resulting in the so‐called ridge‐edge coefficient function. The high‐value ridge‐edge coefficients are well correlated with the edge faults of tectonic units underlay, providing accurate positioning of the base map for compilation of regional tectonic maps. In order to validate this new interdisciplinary analysis method, we select the Dabie orogenic zone as a pilot area for test, where rock outcrops are well exposed on the surface and detailed geological and geophysical surveys have been carried out. Tests show that the deformation bands and the tectonic units, which are conformed by tectonic scientists based on surface observations, are clearly displayed on the ridge and ridge‐edge coefficient images obtained in this article. Moreover, these computer‐generated images provide more accurate locations and geometric details.

Conclusions: This work demonstrates that application of modern mathematical tools can promote the quantitative degree in research of modern geosciences, helping to open a door to develop a new branch of mathematical tectonics.
Changes in Relative Plate Motion during the Isan Orogeny (1670–1500 Ma) and Implications for Pre‐Rodinia Reconstructions
Authors: ABU SHARIB A. S. A. A.
Published: February 2016

Foliation inflexion/intersection axes (FIAs) preserved within porphyroblasts that grew throughout Isan orogenesis reveal significant anticlockwise changes in the direction of bulk horizontal shortening between 1670 and 1500 Ma from NE–SW, N–S, E–W to NW–SE. This implies an anticlockwise shift in relative plate motion with time during the Isan orogeny. Dating monazite grains amongst the axial planar foliations defining three of the four FIAs enabled an age for the periods of relative plate motion that produced these structures to be determined. Averaging the ages from monazite grains defining each FIA set revealed 1649±12 Ma for NE–SW shortening, 1645±7 Ma for N–S shortening, and 1591±10 Ma for that directed E‐W. Inclusion trail asymmetries indicate shear senses of top to the SW for NW–SE FIAs and dominantly top to the N for E–W FIAs, reflecting thrusting towards the SW and N. No evidence for tectonism related to early NE–SW bulk horizontal shortening has previously been detected in the Mount Isa Inlier. Amalgamation of the Broken Hill and possibly the Gawler provinces with the Mount Isa province may have taken place during these periods of NE–SW and N–S‐directed thrusting as the ages of tectonism are similar. Overlapping dates, tectonic, metamorphic, and metallogenic similarities between eastern Australia (Mount Isa and Broken Hill terranes) and the southwest part of Laurentia imply a most probable connection between both continental masses. Putting Australia in such position with respect to North America during the Late‐Paleo‐to‐Mesoproterozoic time is consistent with the AUSWUS model of the Rodinia supercontinent.
Geochemistry and Genesis of Iron‐apatite Ore in the Khanlogh Deposit, Eastern Cenozoic Quchan‐Sabzevar Magmatic Arc, NE Iran
Authors: ZAREI Arezo , SHAFAROUDI Azadeh Malekzadeh , KARIMPOUR Mohammad Hassan
Published: February 2016

The Khanlogh deposit in the Cenozoic Quchan‐Sabzevar magmatic belt, NE Iran, is hosted by Oligocene granodioritic rock. The Khanlogh intrusive body is I‐type granitoid of the calc‐alkaline series. The orebodies are vein, veinlet, massive, and breccia in shape and occur along the fault zones and fractures within the host rock. Ore minerals dominantly comprise magnetite and apatite associated with epidote, clinopyroxene, calcite, quartz, and chlorite. Apatites of the Khanlogh deposit have a high concentration of REE, and show a strong LREE/HREE ratio with a pronounced negative Eu anomaly. Magnetites have a high concentration of REE and show weak to moderate LREE/HREE fractionation. They are comparable to the REE patterns in Kiruna‐type iron ores and show an affinity to calc‐alkaline magmas. The Khanlogh deposit is similar in the aspects of host rock lithology, alteration, mineralogy, and mineral chemistry to the Kiruna‐type deposits. Field observations, hydrothermal alteration halos, style of mineralization, and the geochemical characteristics of apatite, magnetite, and host rock indicate that these magnetite veins have hydrothermal origin similar to Cenozoic Kiruna‐type deposits within the Tarom subzone, NW Iran, and are not related to silica‐iron oxide immiscibility, as are the major Precambrian magnetite deposits in central Iran.
Sedimentary Microfacies and Porosity Modeling of Deep‐Water Sandy Debris Flows by Combining Sedimentary Patterns with Seismic Data: An Example from Unit I of Gas Field A, South China Sea
Authors: Shengli LI , Xinghe YU , Jianli JIN
Published: February 2016

Sandy debris flow deposits are present in Unit I during Miocene of Gas Field A in the Baiyun Depression of the South China Sea. The paucity of well data and the great variability of the sedimentary microfacies make it difficult to identify and predict the distribution patterns of the main gas reservoir, and have seriously hindered further exploration and development of the gas field. Therefore, making full use of the available seismic data is extremely important for predicting the spatial distribution of sedimentary microfacies when constructing three‐dimensional reservoir models. A suitable reservoir modeling strategy or workflow controlled by sedimentary microfacies and seismic data has been developed. Five types of seismic attributes were selected to correlate with the sand percentage, and the root mean square (RMS) amplitude performed the best The relation between the RMS amplitude and the sand percentage was used to construct a reservoir sand distribution map. Three types of main sedimentary microfacies were identified: debris channels, fan lobes, and natural levees. Using constraints from the sedimentary microfacies boundaries, a sedimentary microfacies model was constructed using the sequential indicator and assigned value simulation methods. Finally, reservoir models of physical properties for sandy debris flow deposits controlled by sedimentary microfacies and seismic inversion data were established. Property cutoff values were adopted because the sedimentary microfacies and the reservoir properties from well‐logging interpretation are intrinsically different. Selection of appropriate reservoir property cutoffs is a key step in reservoir modeling when using simulation methods based on sedimentary microfacies control. When the abnormal data are truncated and the reservoir properties probability distribution fits a normal distribution, microfacies‐controlled reservoir property models are more reliable than those obtained from the sequence Gauss simulation method. The cutoffs for effective porosity of the debris channel, fan lobe, and natural levee facies were 0.2, 0.09, and 0.12, respectively; the corresponding average effective porosities were 0.24, 0.13, and 0.15. The proposed modeling method makes full use of seismic attributes and seismic inversion data, and also makes the property data of single‐well depositional microfacies more conformable to a normal distribution with geological significance. Thus, the method allows use of more reliable input data when we construct a model of a sandy debris flow.
Hydrogeochemical and Isotopic Study of Groundwater in a Semi‐arid Region: Yeniceoba Plain (Cihanbeyli‐KONYA), Central Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: BOZDAĞ Ayla , GÖÇMEZ Güler
Published: February 2016

Groundwater is the most important source of water supply in the Yeniceoba Plain in Central Anatolia, Turkey. An understanding of the geochemical evolution of groundwater is important for the sustainable development of water resources in this region. A hydrogeochemical investigation was conducted in the Plio‐Quaternary aquifer system using stable isotopes (δ18O and δD), tritium (3H), major and minor elements (Ca, Na, K, Mg, Cl, SO4, NO3, HCO3 and Br) in order to identify groundwater chemistry patterns and the processes affecting groundwater mineralization in this system. The chemical data reveal that the chemical composition of groundwater in this aquifer system is mainly controlled by rock/water interactions including dissolution of evaporitic minerals, weathering of silicates, precipitation/dissolution of carbonates, ion exchange, and evaporation. Based on the values of Cl/Br ratio (> 300 mg/l) in the Plio‐Quaternary groundwater, dissolution of evaporitic minerals in aquifer contributes significantly to the high mineralization. The stable isotope analyses indicate that the groundwater in the system was influenced by evaporation of rainfall during infiltration. Low tritium values (generally <1 tritium units) of groundwater reflect a minor contribution of recent recharge and groundwater residence times of more than three or four decades.
Effects of Material Composition and Water Content on the Mechanical Properties of Landslide Deposits Triggered by the Wenchuan Earthquake
Authors: Jiawen ZHOU , Peng CUI , Xingguo YANG
Published: February 2016

Abundant landslide deposits were triggered by the Wenchuan earthquake, providing a rich source of material for subsequent debris flows or slope failures under rainfall conditions. A good understanding of the physical and mechanical properties of the landslide deposits is very important to the research on slope failure mechanisms and the initiation of debris flow. Laboratory biaxial compression tests are used to study the material compositions and water content impacts on the mechanical properties of landslide deposits, and a discrete element method (a bond‐contact model) is used to study the particle stiffness, bond force, friction coefficient and confining stress impact on the mechanical behaviors and the relationships between the numerical and experimental parameters. The experimental results show that the failure stress of landslide deposits is decreased with increasing content of fine particles and also with increased water content, especially at the initial increasing stage. Cohesion of the saturated landslide deposits is increased, but the friction angle is decreased with the increase in the fine particle content. Shear strength parameters (the cohesion and friction angle) are decreased with the increasing water content at the initial increasing stage, and then, they slowly decrease. There is a critical value of the water content at 5%‐7% (in weight) for the failure stress and shear strength parameters of the landslide deposits. Quadratic equations are presented to describe the relation between the bond force and cohesion, and the numerical friction coefficient and the experimental friction angle.
Velocity and Structural Modeling of Mesozoic Chiltan Limestone and Goru Formation for Hydrocarbon Evaluation in the Bitrisim Area, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan
Authors: KHAN Sarfraz , LATIF Zahid , HANIF Muhammad , JAN Irfan U. , IQBAL Shahid
Published: February 2016

The present study focuses on building a workflow for structural interpretation and velocity modeling and implementing to Jurassic‐Cretaceous succession (Chiltan Limestone and Massive sand of the Lower Goru Formation). 2D‐Migrated seismic sections of the area are used as data set and in order to confirm the presence of hydrocarbons in the study area, P and S‐wave seismic velocities are estimated from single‐component seismic data. Some specific issues in the use of seismic data for modeling and hydrocarbon evaluation need to deal with including distinguishing the reservoir and cap rocks, and the effects of faults, folds and presence of hydrocarbons on these rocks. This study has carried out the structural interpretation and modeling of the seismic data for the identification of traps. The results demonstrate existence of appropriate structural traps in the form of horst and grabens in the area. 2D and 3D velocity modeling of the horizons indicates the presence of high velocity zones in the eastern half of the study while relatively low velocity zones are encountered in the western half of the area. Two wells were drilled in the study area (i.e. Fateh‐01 and Ichhri‐01) and both are dry. Immature hydrocarbons migration is considered as a failure reason for Fateh‐01 and Ichhri‐01 well.
Reefs in the Early Paleozoic Taebaek Group, Korea: A Review
Authors: Jeong‐Hyun LEE , Jongsun HONG , Jusun WOO , Jae‐Ryong OH , Dong‐Jin LEE , Suk‐Joo CHOH
Published: February 2016

Various early Paleozoic (Cambrian Series 3–Middle Ordovician) reefs are found in the Taebaek Group, eastern Korea, located in the eastern margin of the Sino‐Korean Block. They occur in every carbonate‐dominant lithostratigraphic unit of the group, but their morphology and composition differ markedly. The Daegi Formation (middle Cambrian: Cambrian Series 3) contains siliceous sponge‐Epiphytonreefs formed in a shallow subtidal environment, which is one of the earliest metazoan‐bearing microbial reefs after the archaeocyath extinction. The Hwajeol Formation (upper Cambrian: Furongian) encloses sporadic dendrolites consisting ofAngulocellularia, which developed in a relatively deep subtidal environment, representing a rare deeper water example. The onset of the Ordovician radiation resulted in the formation of microbialite–Archaeoscyphia–calathiid patch reefs in shallow subtidal deposits of the Lower Ordovician Dumugol Formation. Subsequent late Early Ordovician relative sea‐level fall established extensive peritidal environments, forming microbial mats and stromatolites of the Lower–Middle Ordovician Makgol Formation. Ensuing Ordovician radiation resulted in one of the earliest metazoan skeletal reefs of the Middle Ordovician Duwibong Formation, constructed by stromatoporoidCystostromaand bryozoanNicholsonella, and developed around shallow shoals. These reefs reflect ongoing evolution and sea‐level change during the early Paleozoic, and exemplify a rare glimpse of peri‐Gondwanan records of reef evolution, which warrant detailed investigations and comparison with their counterparts in other regions.
Efficacy and safety of chronomodulated chemotherapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Huang Yuanwei , Yu Qiuyan , Liu Yan , Zhu Zhenli , Wang Li , Wang Haidong , Li Ke
Published: February 2016

Aim

Chronomodulated chemotherapy has been reported to be superior to conventional chemotherapy, but the results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are inconsistent. We performed a meta‐analysis to summarize the efficacy and safety of chronomodulated chemotherapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods

A literature search for relevant RCTs comparing the efficacy and safety of chronomodulated chemotherapy and conventional chemotherapy was performed. The main outcomes were overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR) and toxicity (grade 3/4), which included vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, mucositis, neutropenia and peripheral sensory neuropathy. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated.

Results

Six RCTs involving 1347 patients were included. Chronomodulated chemotherapy showed no advantages for OS (HR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.84–1.08; P = 0.463) or ORR (RR = 1.06; 95% CI, 0.81–1.39; P = 0.499). The two groups were similar in terms of grade 3/4 vomiting and nausea (RR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.78–1.35; P = 0.872), diarrhea (RR = 1.44; 95% CI, 0.87–2.36; P = 0.149) or peripheral sensory neuropathy (RR = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.56–1.34; P = 0.512), whereas decreased risks of mucositis (RR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.14–0.66; P = 0.000) and neutropenia (RR = 0.40; 95% CI, 0.27–0.57; P = 0.000) were observed in chronomodulated chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Chronomodulated chemotherapy may be favorable to reduce the risks of certain side effects, but there is no current evidence for improvement in OS or ORR. Our analysis suggests that the available data does not support the use of chronomodulated chemotherapy.