bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TextDNA: Visualizing Word Usage with Configurable Colorfields
Authors: Szafir D. A. , Stuffer D. , Sohail Y. , Gleicher M.
Published: July 2016

Patterns of words used in different text collections can characterize interesting properties of a corpus. However, these patterns are challenging to explore as they often involve complex relationships across many words and collections in a large space of words. In this paper, we propose a configurable colorfield design to aid this exploration. Our approach uses a dense colorfield overview to present large amounts of data in ways that make patterns perceptible. It allows flexible configuration of both data mappings and aggregations to expose different kinds of patterns, and provides interactions to help connect detailed patterns to the corpus overview. TextDNA, our prototype implementation, leverages the GPU to provide interactivity in the web browser even on large corpora. We present five case studies showing how the tool supports inquiry in corpora ranging in size from single document to millions of books. Our work shows how to make a configurable colorfield approach practical for a range of analytic tasks.
ConToVi: Multi‐Party Conversation Exploration using Topic‐Space Views
Authors: El‐Assady Mennatallah , Gold Valentin , Acevedo Carmela , Collins Christopher , Keim Daniel
Published: July 2016

We introduce a novel visual analytics approach to analyze speaker behavior patterns in multi‐party conversations. We propose Topic‐Space Views to track the movement of speakers across the thematic landscape of a conversation. Our tool is designed to assist political science scholars in exploring the dynamics of a conversation over time to generate and prove hypotheses about speaker interactions and behavior patterns. Moreover, we introduce a glyph‐based representation for each speaker turn based on linguistic and statistical cues to abstract relevant text features. We present animated views for exploring the general behavior and interactions of speakers over time and interactive steady visualizations for the detailed analysis of a selection of speakers. Using a visual sedimentation metaphor we enable the analysts to track subtle changes in the flow of a conversation over time while keeping an overview of all past speaker turns. We evaluate our approach on real‐world datasets and the results have been insightful to our domain experts.
Composite Flow Maps
Authors: Cornel D. , Konev A. , Sadransky B. , Horváth Z. , Brambilla A. , Viola I. , Waser J.
Published: July 2016

Flow maps are widely used to provide an overview of geospatial transportation data. Existing solutions lack the support for the interactive exploration of multiple flow components at once. Flow components are given by different materials being transported, different flow directions, or by the need for comparing alternative scenarios. In this paper, we combine flows as individual ribbons in one composite flow map. The presented approach can handle an arbitrary number of sources and sinks. To avoid visual clutter, we simplify our flow maps based on a force‐driven algorithm, accounting for restrictions with respect to application semantics. The goal is to preserve important characteristics of the geospatial context. This feature also enables us to highlight relevant spatial information on top of the flow map such as traffic conditions or accessibility. The flow map is computed on the basis of flows between zones. We describe a method for auto‐deriving zones from geospatial data according to application requirements. We demonstrate the method in real‐world applications, including transportation logistics, evacuation procedures, and water simulation. Our results are evaluated with experts from corresponding fields.
From Visual Exploration to Storytelling and Back Again
Authors: Gratzl S. , Lex A. , Gehlenborg N. , Cosgrove N. , Streit M.
Published: July 2016

The primary goal of visual data exploration tools is to enable the discovery of new insights. To justify and reproduce insights, the discovery process needs to be documented and communicated. A common approach to documenting and presenting findings is to capture visualizations as images or videos. Images, however, are insufficient for telling the story of a visual discovery, as they lack full provenance information and context. Videos are difficult to produce and edit, particularly due to the non‐linear nature of the exploratory process. Most importantly, however, neither approach provides the opportunity to return to any point in the exploration in order to review the state of the visualization in detail or to conduct additional analyses. In this paper we present CLUE (Capture, Label, Understand, Explain), a model that tightly integrates data exploration and presentation of discoveries. Based on provenance data captured during the exploration process, users can extract key steps, add annotations, and author “Vistories”, visual stories based on the history of the exploration. These Vistories can be shared for others to view, but also to retrace and extend the original analysis. We discuss how the CLUE approach can be integrated into visualization tools and provide a prototype implementation. Finally, we demonstrate the general applicability of the model in two usage scenarios: a Gapminder‐inspired visualization to explore public health data and an example from molecular biology that illustrates how Vistories could be used in scientific journals.
A Survey on Visual Analysis Approaches for Financial Data
Authors: Ko S. , Cho I. , Afzal S. , Yau C. , Chae J. , Malik A. , Beck K. , Jang Y. , Ribarsky W. , Ebert D. S.
Published: July 2016

Market participants and businesses have made tremendous efforts to make the best decisions in a timely manner under varying economic and business circumstances. As such, decision‐making processes based on Financial data have been a popular topic in industries. However, analyzing Financial data is a non‐trivial task due to large volume, diversity and complexity, and this has led to rapid research and development of visualizations and visual analytics systems for Financial data exploration. Often, the development of such systems requires researchers to collaborate with Financial domain experts to better extract requirements and challenges in their tasks. Work to systematically study and gather the task requirements and to acquire an overview of existing visualizations and visual analytics systems that have been applied in Financial domains with respect to real‐world data sets has not been completed. To this end, we perform a comprehensive survey of visualizations and visual analytics. In this work, we categorize Financial systems in terms of data sources, applied automated techniques, visualization techniques, interaction, and evaluation methods. For the categorization and characterization, we utilize existing taxonomies of visualization and interaction. In addition, we present task requirements extracted from interviews with domain experts in order to help researchers design better systems with detailed goals.
Matrix Reordering Methods for Table and Network Visualization
Authors: Behrisch Michael , Bach Benjamin , Henry Riche Nathalie , Schreck Tobias , Fekete Jean‐Daniel
Published: July 2016

This survey provides a description of algorithms to reorder visual matrices of tabular data and adjacency matrix of Networks. The goal of this survey is to provide a comprehensive list of reordering algorithms published in different fields such as statistics, bioinformatics, or graph theory. While several of these algorithms are described in publications and others are available in software libraries and programs, there is little awareness of what is done across all fields. Our survey aims at describing these reordering algorithms in a unified manner to enable a wide audience to understand their differences and subtleties. We organize this corpus in a consistent manner, independently of the application or research field. We also provide practical guidance on how to select appropriate algorithms depending on the structure and size of the matrix to reorder, and point to implementations when available.
Management of side effects of immune checkpoint blockade by anti‐CTLA‐4 and anti‐PD‐1 antibodies in metastatic melanoma
Authors: Kähler Katharina C. , Hassel Jessica C. , Heinzerling Lucie , Loquai Carmen , Mössner Rotraut , Ugurel Selma , Zimmer Lisa , Gutzmer Ralf ,   for the “Cutaneous Side Effects” Committee of the Work Group Dermatological Oncology (ADO)
Published: July 2016

CTLA‐4 and PD‐1 are potential targets for tumor‐induced downregulation of lymphocytic immune responses. Immune checkpoint‐modifying monoclonal antibodies oppose these effects, inducing T cell‐mediated immune responses to various tumors including melanoma. Both anti‐CTLA‐4 and anti‐PD‐1 antibodies modify the interaction between tumor, antigen‐presenting cells, and T lymphocytes. With respect to overall survival, clinical studies have shown a major benefit for the anti‐CTLA‐4 antibody ipilimumab as well as the two anti‐PD‐1 antibodies nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Following approval of ipilimumab in 2011, the latter two achieved market authorization in the summer of 2015.

Immune responses thus induced and enhanced inevitably entail autoimmune phenomena, affecting various organs to varying degrees. Knowledge of these side effects is crucial with regard to prevention and management by treating physicians. Typically occurring early on and presenting with pronounced and persistent diarrhea, colitis represents a major and severe side effect. Other immune‐mediated disorders include dermatitis, hypophysitis, thyroiditis, hepatitis, iridocyclitis as well as other less common autoimmune phenomena. Early recognition and initiation of treatment can reduce risks and sequelae for patients.

This review describes the mechanisms of action of immune checkpoint blockade as well as its clinical effects in metastatic melanoma, with a detailed focus on the spectrum of adverse events and their therapeutic management.
Survey of sensitizing components of oxidative hair dyes (retail and professional products) in Germany
Authors: Kirchlechner Stephan , Hübner Anja , Uter Wolfgang
Published: July 2016

Background

Components of oxidative hair dyes, such as p‐toluylenediamine, are very potent contact sensitizers to which many consumers as well as hairdressers and their clients are commonly exposed.

Methods

Based on the qualitative composition of both retail and professional haircare products as determined by package labeling (according to INCI), we conducted a survey on the exposure to active components of oxidative hair dyes in Germany. The joint occurrence of components is also discussed.

Results

Nearly all of the 20 most commonly used substances are potent or very potent contact sensitizers. Contained in 88 % of all products, p‐toluylenediamine is the most common component. There are only minor differences between retail and professional products. A frequent combination of substances includes p‐toluylenediamine (sulfate), resorcinol as well as m‐aminophenol. However, their actual concentrations (which were not investigated in this study) may vastly differ depending on the shade of the individual hair dye.

Conclusions

Descriptive univariate analysis reveals that the currently used patch test series “Hairdressing Chemicals”, as recommended by the German Contact Allergy Research Group (DKG), does not adequately cover the spectrum of allergens consumers and professionals are exposed to. Other studies have also suggested that a number of other allergens should be tested as well. Taking into account the dynamic kinetics of oxidative hair dyes with respect to allergy development, the effects of combined simultaneous exposure to multiple allergens on the risk of sensitization requires further research.
Migration, Health and Inequality in Asia
Authors: Amrith Megha , Amrith Sunil
Published: July 2016

Focusing on health, migration and inequality, this contribution examines the role of citizenship in shaping migrants’ experiences of health. The idea of national citizenship has frequently dominated the framing of debates about whether states or markets should play the dominant role in health. Yet, health inequalities are embedded in transnational flows of people, capital and ideas, which are themselves a product of history. Migration is thus essential to understanding the transnational production and reinforcement, or mitigation, of health inequalities. Adopting a focus on migration in Asia, past and present, this article argues that the health risks and vulnerabilities that migrants face are a result of both state and market failures. Migrants’ exclusion from various forms of care and protection, and their political disenfranchisement, expose a fraught relationship between health and citizenship for those who move within and across borders. At the same time, both historical and contemporary experience demonstrates how migrants might contest these inequalities and allow us to reimagine alternative forms of citizenship. Efforts to ensure the health and well‐being of migrants demonstrate diverse alliances at work, even if such alliances remain limited when confronted with the logic of the nation, borders and security.
Desired response to phototherapy vs photoaggravation in psoriasis: what makes the difference?
Authors: Wolf Peter , Weger Wolfgang , Patra VijayKumar , Gruber‐Wackernagel Alexandra , Byrne Scott N.
Published: July 2016

Psoriasis commonly responds beneficially to UV radiation from natural sunlight or artificial sources. Therapeutic mechanisms include the proapoptotic and immunomodulating effects of UV, affecting many cells and involving a variety of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines, downregulating the Th17/IL‐23 response with simultaneous induction of regulatory immune cells. However, exposure to UV radiation in a subset of psoriasis patients leads to exacerbation of the disease. We herein shed light on the predisposing factors of photosensitive psoriasis, including genetics (such as HLA‐Cw*0602 or CARD14), gender and coexisting photodermatoses such as polymorphic light eruption (PLE) in the context of potential molecular mechanisms behind therapeutic photoresponsiveness or photoaggravation. UV‐induced damage/pathogen‐associated molecular patterns, damage to self‐coding RNA (signalling through Toll‐like receptors), certain antimicrobial peptides and/or inflammasome activation may induce innate immunity, leading to psoriasis at the site of UV exposure when there is concomitant, predisposing resistance against UV‐induced suppression of the adaptive immune response (like in PLE) that otherwise would act to reduce psoriasis.
Dimethyl‐ and monomethylfumarate regulate indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) activity in human immune cells
Authors: Eminel Sevgi , Jin Na , Rostami Martin , Dibbert Stefan , Mrowietz Ulrich , Suhrkamp Ina
Published: July 2016

Fumaric acid esters (FAEs) are used as an oral treatment for psoriasis. Dimethylfumarate (DMF) and its metabolite monomethylfumarate (MMF) are regarded as the pharmacologically active moieties. Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) is the key enzyme for the metabolism of tryptophan. The kynurenine pathway is established as a major regulator of innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we investigated the effect of DMF and MMF on IDO activity and expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). IDO activity was determined by measuring the concentration of kynurenine in the culture medium using a HPLC technique. IDO and kynureninase protein expressions were analysed by Western blot. Our results demonstrated that DMF and MMF dose‐dependently reduced the levels of L‐kynurenine in PBMCs activated by interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ). Furthermore, MMF had an inhibitory effect on IDO activity in vitro with an ED50 of 10 μmol/L, a value within the therapeutic concentration range for this molecule. We also observed that IDO and kynureninase expressions were reduced in PBMCs in a dose‐dependent manner by DMF and MMF. The results of our study show that DMF and MMF (in therapeutic concentrations) inhibited IDO and kynureninase activity and expression in a NF‐κB‐dependent manner in PBMCs while also decreasing the level of L‐kynurenine in these cells. As we found that FAEs inhibit both IDO expression and enzymatic activity leading to a modulation of tryptophan degradation, we believe this effect may contribute to the clinical efficacy of this drug in psoriasis by downregulating pro‐inflammatory mediators generated by the kynurenine pathway.
TNF‐α inhibitors reduce the pathological Th1–Th17/Th2 imbalance in cutaneous mesenchymal stem cells of psoriasis patients
Authors: Campanati Anna , Orciani Monia , Lazzarini Raffaella , Ganzetti Giulia , Consales Veronica , Sorgentoni Giulia , Di Primio Roberto , Offidani Annamaria
Published: July 2016

Psoriasis is a disease characterized by an imbalance between Th1 and Th17 and Th2 inflammatory axes, in which cutaneous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are early involved, as they show a greater relative expression of several genes encoding for Th1 and Th17 cytokines. Therapeutic implications of TNF‐α inhibitors on differentiated skin cells have been largely described in psoriasis; however, their effects on MSCs derived from patients with psoriasis have been only partially described. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of TNF‐α inhibitors on cytokine milieu expressed by MSCs isolated from the skin of patients with psoriasis. Resident MSCs from skin of patients with psoriasis and healthy subjects have been isolated, characterized and profiled by PCR and ELISA for the expression of 22 cytokines involved in Th1, Th2 and Th17 pathways, both before and after 12 weeks therapy with TNF‐α inhibitors. The administration of TNF‐α inhibitors for 12‐weeks acts on MSCs as follows: it reduces the expression of several Th1‐Th17 cytokines whose levels are elevated at baseline (IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐12, IL‐23A, IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, CCL2, CCL20, CXCL2, CXCL5, IL‐17A, IL‐17C, IL‐17F, IL‐21, G‐CSF). Similarly, it enhances the expression of several Th2 cytokines which are underexpressed at baseline (IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5), reducing the expression of those overexpressed at baseline (TGF‐β and IL‐13). TNF‐α inhibitors could contribute to reduce the pathological imbalance between the Th1–Th17 vs Th2 axis in MSCs of patients with psoriasis.
RNA‐based therapies for genodermatoses
Authors: Bornert Olivier , Peking Patricia , Bremer Jeroen , Koller Ulrich , van den Akker Peter C. , Aartsma‐Rus Annemieke , Pasmooij Anna M. G. , Murauer Eva M. , Nyström Alexander
Published: July 2016

Genetic disorders affecting the skin, genodermatoses, constitute a large and heterogeneous group of diseases, for which treatment is generally limited to management of symptoms. RNA‐based therapies are emerging as a powerful tool to treat genodermatoses. In this review, we discuss in detail RNA splicing modulation by antisense oligonucleotides and RNA trans‐splicing, transcript replacement and genome editing by in vitro‐transcribed mRNAs, and gene knockdown by small interfering RNA and antisense oligonucleotides. We present the current state of these therapeutic approaches and critically discuss their opportunities, limitations and the challenges that remain to be solved. The aim of this review was to set the stage for the development of new and better therapies to improve the lives of patients and families affected by a genodermatosis.
The tripeptide KdPT ameliorates ongoing psoriasis‐like skin inflammation in murine and human skin
Authors: Mykicki Nadine , Klenner Lars , Baumann Christoph , Auriemma Matteo , Sternemann Carlo , Soeberdt Michael , Elliott Graham R. , Abels Christoph , Luger Thomas A. , Loser Karin
Published: July 2016

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease appearing as scaly erythematous cutaneous lesions, which are characterized by parakeratosis and acanthosis as well as the infiltration of immune cells, such as T helper‐1 and T helper‐17 cells. Here, we demonstrated that KdPT, a tripeptide structurally related to the C‐terminal amino acids of alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone, which was previously shown to exhibit anti‐inflammatory effects in intestinal inflammation, ameliorated ongoing disease in the mouse model of imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like skin inflammation and in the small xenotransplant mouse model of psoriasis. We could show that systemic KdPT treatment significantly reduced hyperkeratosis and acanthosis in murine as well as human skin. Moreover, KdPT upregulated Foxp3 in CD4+ T cells from mice and from peripheral blood of individuals with psoriasis and decreased the expression of type 1 inflammatory cytokines, indicating that the beneficial effect of KdPT was, at least in part, mediated by the induction of functional regulatory T cells that suppressed the activation of pathogenic CD4+IFN‐γ+ and CD4+IL‐17+ T cells. Thus, these data might suggest KdPT as a potential novel therapeutic alternative for the treatment of psoriasis.
Conservation tillage reduces the negative impact of urbanisation on carabid communities
Authors: Tamburini Giovanni , Pevere Ines , Fornasini Niccolò , De Simone Serena , Sigura Maurizia , Boscutti Francesco , Marini Lorenzo
Published: July 2016

Urban sprawl has been widely recognised as major cause of biodiversity decline across multiple taxonomic levels. Nevertheless, comprehensive studies investigating the effects of landscape urbanisation and farming practices on arthropod biodiversity in agroecosystems are still scarce.

We explored the combined effect of urbanisation in the landscape and tillage management (conservation vs. conventional tillage) on predatory carabid beetle communities (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in 10 pairs of winter cereal fields in the agricultural landscape of Udine province (north‐east Italy).

Urbanisation (at 750 m scale) strongly decreased carabid activity density, species richness, functional richness and increased functional divergence. We, however, found an interaction between tillage system and the proportion of urban areas in the landscape, i.e., the negative effects of urbanisation on carabid communities were more evident in the fields managed under conventional tillage, while conservation tillage supported more diverse (both taxonomically and ecologically) and abundant beetle communities also in highly urbanised landscapes. We also found that different functional groups differently responded to tillage management.

The better local habitat quality provided by conservation tillage may mitigate the negative effects of urbanisation on carabid communities. Our study stresses the importance of considering both local management and landscape composition when planning strategies to support farmland biodiversity.
Ten‐year analyses of the German DRG data about negative pressure wound therapy
Authors: von Beckerath Olga , Zapenko Alexander , Dissemond Joachim , Kröger Knut ,   on behalf of the Initiative Chronische Wunden (ICW) e.V.
Published: July 2016

Exact data regarding the clinical role of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for wound care in a specific country are not available. Thus, we analysed the use of NPWT in hospitalised patients in Germany.

Detailed lists of all hospitalised cases treated with NPWT in Germany for each of the years from 2005 to 2014 were obtained from the Federal Statistical Office, as well as lists of the 15 most frequent principal and additional diagnoses documented with NPWT in 2014.

Within the 10‐year time period of the study, the number of cases treated with NPWT increased by 349%, from 37 053 in 2005 to 129 269 in 2014. The rate of all hospitalised cases treated with NPWT increased form 0·22% to 0·66% in Germany.

In 2014, wounds affecting skin and subcutaneous tissue (5–916.a0) are the most frequent documented indication for NPWT followed by deep wounds involving bones and joints at the limbs (5–916.a1). Open abdomens (5–916.a3) count for higher numbers than deep wounds of the thorax, mediastinum and sternum (5–916.a2). Fifty percent of all cases hospitalised for stage IV pressure ulcers at sacrum or ischium and around one third (32.2%) of cases with pyothorax received NPWT. Every fourth to fifth case hospitalised for disruption of surgical wounds or infections following a procedure (24·1%), as well as for infections and inflammations because of internal joint prosthesis or because of an internal fixation device was treated with NPWT (22·9%). In cases with diabetic foot syndrome, it is still every tenth case (10·1%).

This analysis shows a substantial increase in the use of NPWT in the last decade for hospitalised patients. NPWT has a fixed role in the treatment of stage IV pressure ulcers at sacrum or ischium, pyothorax, infection and inflammation because of internal joint prosthesis or an internal fixation device and diabetic foot syndrome.
A Facile Synthesis of PdO‐Decorated SnO2 Nanocomposites with Open Porous Hierarchical Architectures for Gas Sensors
Authors: Zhu Yifu , Su Huilan , Chen Yifan , Jin Zebin , Xu Jiazhen , Zhang Di
Published: July 2016

PdO‐decorated SnO2 nanocomposites with open porous hierarchical architectures are fabricated through a facile biotemplating sol–gel technique. The sol–gel soakage process is carried out by immersing the templates butterfly wings in Sn‐ and Pd‐ impregnants successively to generate a uniform colloid layer. PdO and SnO2 nanocrystallites come into being with subsequent calcination treatment, and PdO‐decorated SnO2 nanocomposites further construct the parallel main ridges with connective pillars and vertical struts, finally present a 3‐D open porous hierarchical architecture. Benefiting from unique ingredients and structure hierarchy, the nanocomposites give enhanced acetone‐sensing performance of high sensitivity and rapid response/recovery rate
The Abnormal Optical Property and Room‐Temperature Exchange Bias Behavior in Na‐ and Ru‐Codoped BiFeO3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Han Yuling , Liu Weifang , Xu Xunling , Guo Minchen , Zhang Xiongnan , Wu Ping , Gao Ju , Rao Guanghui , Wang Shouyu
Published: July 2016

Bi0.98Na0.02Fe1−xRuxO3 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02) samples were prepared via a sol–gel method. The formation of the desired materials was confirmed using X‐ray diffraction. The tetravalent Ru doping could effectively reduce the number of oxygen vacancy, and subsequently reduce the leakage current. Interestingly, the optical band gap was narrowed gradually in our samples, which seems contradictory with the variation in oxygen vacancy. To better understand this abnormal optical property, the effect of bandwidth was analyzed based on the change in Fe–O bond length and Fe–O–Fe bond angle, and the corresponding phenomenological qualitative model was proposed. The magnetization was increased with Ru substitution. In addition, an exchange bias (EB) phenomenon without field cooled process was observed at room temperature for all the samples, which was explained by introducing a core–shell structure model. Moreover, the EB behavior becomes more pronounced at 5 K for 1% Ru‐doped sample.
Overall Lifelong Fortune: A Critique of the Intrinsic Potential Account
Authors: Smolkin Doran
Published: July 2016

It seems clear that a fortunate life for a human being is very different from a fortunate life for a dog. But it is not clear what the appropriate measure is for determining whether a life is fortunate or not. Jeff McMahan rejects the Species Norm Account and defends the Intrinsic Potential Account of overall lifelong fortune. In this article, I argue that the Intrinsic Potential Account fails. More specifically, I will argue that it is vulnerable to numerous counterexamples; fails for the same basic reason that McMahan rejects the Species Norm Account; and is insensitive to a consideration that is morally significant.
Realized climatic niches are conserved along maximum temperatures among herpetofaunal invaders
Authors: Liu Xuan , Petitpierre Blaise , Broennimann Olivier , Li Xianping , Guisan Antoine , Li Yiming
Published: July 2016

Aim

The conservatism of the realized climatic niche is a pivotal assumption for predicting invasion risk under present and future climates. To date, however, no studies have identified the particular dimensions of realized climatic niches that are spatially and temporally conserved for a whole taxonomic group on a global scale. Understanding realized niche dynamics along each individual climatic variable separately is a key consideration for improving forecasts of invasive species distributions and anticipating future range expansions.

Location

Global.

Methods

Using 181 successful invasion events for 128 alien herpetofaunal species across the globe, we applied a robust niche dynamics framework and analysed the conservatism of the realized climatic niche and its influencing factors along 19 temperature and precipitation variables.

Results

We found that the magnitude of the niche expansion along the maximum temperature of the warmest month (or warmest quarter) was, on average, the lowest compared with the niche expansion magnitude along the minimum, average, range and seasonal temperature characteristics and all precipitation variables. Furthermore, the niche shift along the maximum temperature was only negatively correlated with native range size and was unrelated to residence time, species traits, introduction propagule pressure, topographic heterogeneity or equatorwards and polewards range expansion.

Main conclusions

We provide the first evidence that the realized climatic niche of alien herpetofaunal species is generally most conserved along maximum temperatures. This finding highlights the importance of preferentially choosing conserved climatic niche parameters to develop robust predictions of biological invasions or shifts in species ranges in response to climate change.
Little evidence for Bergmann's rule body size clines in passerines along tropical elevational gradients
Authors: Freeman Benjamin G.
Published: July 2016

Aim

To test whether intra‐ and interspecific patterns in body mass along elevational gradients follow Bergmann's rule for a subset of tropical montane passerines.

Location

Tropical elevational gradients in New Guinea, Borneo, Peru and Costa Rica.

Methods

I used linear regressions to assess intraspecific patterns in body mass along elevational gradients in common New Guinean passerines (2697 mist‐netted individuals of 21 species). I then evaluated interspecific patterns using two data sets. First, I investigated differences in body mass in species pairs of elevational replacements, closely related species with minimal overlap along elevational gradients (species pairs; New Guinea: n = 45, Borneo: n = 22, Peru: n = 58 and Costa Rica: n = 30). Second, I used a comparative phylogenetic approach to test whether species’ mid‐point elevations predicted their masses within entire passerine avifaunas found along single elevational gradients (species; New Guinea: n = 184, Peru: n = 529 and Costa Rica: n = 220).

Results

New Guinean passerines exhibited minimal intraspecific variation in mass along elevational gradients. In two species, lower elevation individuals had significantly larger masses than upper elevation conspecifics. In species pairs of elevational replacements, there was no trend for upper elevation species to have larger masses than lower elevation species. Overall, species pairs tended to have positive mass disparities (mass of upper elevation species/mass of lower elevation species). However, contrary to predictions of Bergmann's rule, mass disparity was unrelated to elevational overlap. When considering entire passerine avifaunas along single elevational gradients, species’ masses were uncorrelated with their mid‐point elevational distributions.

Main conclusions

I found little evidence that tropical montane passerines have larger body masses at higher elevations where temperatures are colder. This lack of pattern was consistent across evolutionarily independent avifaunas of different biogeographical regions. These results suggest mean temperature is not a generally important driver of body size evolution in tropical montane passerines.
Genetic variants of nuclear factor erythroid‐derived 2‐like 2 associated with the complications in Han descents with type 2 diabetes mellitus of Northeast China
Authors: Xu Xiaohong , Sun Jing , Chang Xiaomin , Wang Ji , Luo Manyu , Wintergerst Kupper A. , Miao Lining , Cai Lu
Published: July 2016

The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2‐like 2 (NFE2L2) is essential for preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)‐induced complications in animal models. This case and control study assessed genetic variants of NFE2L2 for associations with T2DM and its complications in Han Chinese volunteers. T2DM patients with (n = 214) or without (n = 236) complications, or healthy controls (n = 359), were genotyped for six NFE2L2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: rs2364723, rs13001694, rs10497511, rs1806649, rs1962142 and rs6726395) with TaqMan Pre‐Designed SNP Genotyping and Sequence System. Serum levels of heme oxygenase‐1 (HMOX1) were determined through enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Informative data were obtained for 341 cases and 266 controls. Between T2DM patients and controls, the genotypic and allelic frequencies and haplotypes of the SNPs were similar. However, there was a significant difference in genotypic and allelic frequencies of rs2364723, rs10497511, rs1962142 and rs6726395 between T2DM patients with and without complications, including peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, foot ulcers and microangiopathy. Furthermore, HMOX1 levels were significantly higher in T2DM patients with complications than in controls. Multiple logistic regression analysis, however, showed that only rs2364723 significantly reduced levels of serum HMOX1 in T2DM patients for the GG genotype carriers compared with participants with CG+CC genotype. The data suggest that although NFE2L2 rs2364723, rs10497511, rs1962142 and rs6726395 were not associated with T2DM risk, they were significantly associated with complications of T2DM. In addition, only for rs2364723 higher serum HMOX1 levels were found in the T2DM patients with CG+CC than those with GG genotype.
Long non‐coding RNA Malat1 promotes neurite outgrowth through activation of ERK/MAPK signalling pathway in N2a cells
Authors: Chen Lei , Feng Peimin , Zhu Xi , He Shixu , Duan Jialan , Zhou Dong
Published: July 2016

Accumulating evidence suggests that long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are playing critical roles in neurogenesis, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely elusive. Neurite outgrowth is an early step in neuronal differentiation and regeneration. Using in vitro differentiation of neuroblastoma‐derived Neuro‐2a (N2a) cell as a model, we performed expression profiling to identify lncRNAs putatively relevant for neurite outgrowth. We identified that Metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (Malat1) was one of the most significantly up‐regulated lncRNAs during N2a cell differentiation. Malat1 knockdown resulted in defects in neurite outgrowth as well as enhanced cell death. To pinpoint signalling pathways perturbed by Malat1 depletion, we then performed a reporter‐based screening to examine the activities of 50 signalling pathways in Malat1 knockdown cells. We found that Malat1 knockdown resulted in conspicuous inhibition of Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway as well as abnormal activation of Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) and P53 signalling pathway. Inhibition of ERK/MAPK pathway with PD98059 potently blocked N2a cell neurite outgrowth, whereas phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate‐induced ERK activation rescued defects in neurite outgrowth and cell death induced by Malat1 depletion. Together, our results established a critical role of Malat1 in the early step of neuronal differentiation through activating ERK/MAPK signalling pathway.
Oncogenic role of mortalin contributes to ovarian tumorigenesis by activating the MAPK–ERK pathway
Authors: Hu Yingying , Yang Ling , Yang Yujie , Han Yanyan , Wang Yongbo , Liu Wen , Zuo Ji
Published: July 2016

Mortalin is frequently overexpressed in human malignancies. Previous studies have suggested that mortalin contributes to ovarian cancer development and progression, but further investigation is warranted. The aim of this study is to elucidate the mechanism of mortalin in ovarian cancer development and progression. In this study, lentivirus‐delivered mortalin short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to knockdown mortalin expression in A2780 and A2780/cis ovarian cancer cell lines, and lentiviral mortalin‐pLVX‐AcGFP was used to generate mortalin‐overexpressing cell lines. The results demonstrated that decreased mortalin expression reduced ovarian cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion by Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay, colony formation assay, wounding healing assay and Transwell cell invasion assay, respectively. Flow cytometry results suggested that mortalin promotes the G1 transition, leading to faster restoration of a normal cell‐cycle distribution. Cell‐cycle proteins, including C‐myc and Cyclin‐D1, significantly increased, and Cyclin‐B1 remarkably decreased upon mortalin down‐regulation. Western blot analysis showed that mortalin knockdown significantly decreased p‐c‐Raf and phospho‐extracellular–regulated protein kinases (p‐ERK1/2) pathways but not the Jun N‐terminal kinase pathway, whereas mortalin overexpression had the opposite effect. Taken together, these results indicate that mortalin is an oncogenic factor, and mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐ERK signalling pathway activation by mortalin may contribute to ovarian cancer development and progression.
Early remodelling of the extracellular matrix proteins tenascin‐C and phosphacan in retina and optic nerve of an experimental autoimmune glaucoma model
Authors: Reinehr Sabrina , Reinhard Jacqueline , Wiemann Susanne , Stute Gesa , Kuehn Sandra , Woestmann Julia , Dick H. Burkhard , Faissner Andreas , Joachim Stephanie C.
Published: July 2016

Glaucoma is characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and optic nerve fibres. Previous studies noted fewer RGCs after immunization with ocular antigens at 28 days. It is known that changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) components conduct retina and optic nerve degeneration. Here, we focused on the remodelling of tenascin‐C and phosphacan/receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase β/ζ in an autoimmune glaucoma model. Rats were immunized with optic nerve homogenate (ONA) or S100B protein (S100). Controls received sodium chloride (Co). After 14 days, no changes in RGC number were noted in all groups. An increase in GFAP mRNA expression was observed in the S100 group, whereas no alterations were noted via immunohistochemistry in both groups. Extracellular matrix remodelling was analyzed after 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. Tenascin‐C and 473HD immunoreactivity in retinae and optic nerves was unaltered in both immunized groups at 3 days. At 7 days, tenascin‐C staining increased in both tissues in the ONA group. Also, in the optic nerves of the S100 group, an intense tenascin‐C staining could be shown. In the retina, an increased tenascin‐C expression was also observed in ONA animals via Western blot. 473HD immunoreactivity was elevated in the ONA group in both tissues and in the S100 optic nerves at 7 days. At 14 days, tenascin‐C and 473HD immunoreactivity was up‐regulated in the ONA retinae, whereas phosphacan expression was up‐regulated in both groups. We conclude that remodelling of tenascin‐C and phosphacan occurred shortly after immunization, already before RGC loss. We assume that both ECM molecules represent early indicators of neurodegeneration.
The pre‐spawning migratory behaviour of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in a large lacustrine catchment
Authors: Kennedy R.J. , Allen M.
Published: July 2016

The movements of adult Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were determined as they migrated to spawning habitats in a large lacustrine catchment, Lough Neagh, in Northern Ireland. The minimum average ground speed of S. salar through the lake was 2·1 km day−1 and the mean residence time was 11 days. Tagged S. salar tended to actively migrate through the lake which represented a transitory habitat for adult S. salar. Migration time from the release site, through the lake, to a spawning tributary decreased during the migratory period. During the 4 year study period between 20·5 and 41·6% of tagged S. salar which entered the lake each year, explored at least one other channel before ascending the final spawning tributary. Exploratory behaviour was more likely in S. salar which spawned in the tributaries furthest from the sea. Exploratory behaviour was also more likely to occur during periods of reduced discharge in the natal stream. The fishery management implications of complex pre‐spawning behaviour in a mixed stock lacustrine system, are discussed.
School Breakfast‐Club Program Changes and Youth Eating Breakfast During the School Week in theCOMPASSStudy
Authors: Leatherdale Scott T. , Stefanczyk Jennifer M. , Kirkpatrick Sharon I.
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND

Despite the importance of breakfast consumption, breakfast skipping is common among Canadian youth. This study examines how changes to school‐based breakfast programs are associated with breakfast‐skipping behavior.

METHODS

Using school‐level longitudinal data from Year 1 (Y1: 2012‐2013) and Year 2 (Y2: 2013‐2014) of theCOMPASSstudy, quasi‐experimental methods evaluated the impact over time that changes to school‐based breakfast programs had on breakfast skipping or participating in school‐based breakfast program.

RESULTS

BetweenY1andY2, the school‐level prevalence of breakfast skipping (54.5%‐54.9%) and breakfast program participation (12.3%‐13.6%) increased. Of the 43 participating schools, 5 implemented a new school breakfast program. Among the intervention schools, 1 school (School 4) observed a significant, and 1 school (School 3) observed a significant increase in the school‐level prevalence of skipping breakfast; there was no significant change in the other 3 intervention schools.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the availability of free school breakfast programs, the majority of youth skipped breakfast at least once a school week. Owing to the variation in the types of programs implemented, additional evaluation evidence is necessary to determine which students benefited the most from these programs.
Planning Adolescent Mental Health Promotion Programming in Saskatoon
Authors: Cushon Jennifer , Waldner Cheryl , Scott Christina , Neudorf Cordell
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND

We assessed associations between key demographic risk factors and the outcome of depressed mood in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to inform the planning and implementation of mental health promotion programming in schools.

METHODS

In the 2008/2009 school year, 3958 students from grades 5 through 8 from 76 elementary schools completed questions regarding depressed mood on the Student Health Survey administered by the Saskatoon Health Region. The demographic risk factors for depressed mood considered in this study included age, sex, cultural status, and neighborhood income, as well as the role of school and age cohorts or grades within schools.

RESULTS

We found Aboriginal students were significantly more likely to report moderate/severe depressed mood than other students. We also found older female adolescents were significantly more likely to report moderate/severe depressed mood. Neighborhood income explained the largest proportion (40%) of depressed mood differences between schools.

CONCLUSIONS

These results can inform the planning and implementation of mental health promotion programming by the health sector in Saskatoon's elementary schools, including an appropriate balance between targeted and population‐based interventions that address both the distal and proximal determinants of depressed mood in adolescents.
Effectiveness of an Adaptation of the Project Connect Health Systems Intervention: Youth and Clinic‐Level Findings
Authors: Loosier Penny S. , Doll Shelli , Lepar Danielle , Ward Kristin , Gamble Ginger , Dittus Patricia J.
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND

The Project Connect Health Systems Intervention (Project Connect) uses a systematic process of collecting community and healthcare infrastructure information to craft a referral guide highlighting local healthcare providers who provide high quality sexual and reproductive healthcare. Previous self‐report data on healthcare usage indicated Project Connect was successful with sexually experienced female youth, where it increased rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing and receipt of contraception. This adaption of Project Connect examined its effectiveness in a new context and via collection of clinic encounter‐level data.

METHODS

Project Connect was implemented in 3 high schools. (only 2 schools remained open throughout the entire project period). Participant recruitment and data collection occurred in 5 of 8 participating health clinics. Students completed Youth Surveys (N = 608) and a Clinic Survey (paired with medical data abstraction in 2 clinics [N = 305]).

RESULTS

Students were more likely than nonstudents to report having reached a clinic via Project Connect. Nearly 40% of students attended a Project Connect school, with 32.7% using Project Connect to reach the clinic. Students were most likely to have been referred by a school nurse or coach.

CONCLUSIONS

Project Connect is a low‐cost, sustainable structural intervention with multiple applications within schools, either as a standalone intervention or in combination with ongoing efforts.
The gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase‐to‐platelet ratio predicts liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in HBeAg‐positive chronic HBV infection patients with high HBV DNA and normal or mildly elevated alanine transaminase levels in China
Authors: Li Q. , Li W. , Huang Y. , Chen L.
Published: July 2016

The gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase‐to‐platelet ratio (GPR) is a new serum diagnostic model, which is reported to be more accurate than aspartate transaminase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis index based on the four factors (Fib‐4) for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic HBV infection (CHBVI) patients in West Africa. To evaluate the performance of the GPR model for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in HBeAg‐positive CHBVI patients with high HBV DNA (≥5 log10 copies/mL) and normal or mildly elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) (≤2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)) in China. A total of 1521 consecutive CHBVI patients who underwent liver biopsies and routine laboratory tests were retrospectively screened. Of these patients, 401 treatment naïve HBeAg‐positive patients with HBV DNA≥5 log10 copies/mL and ALT≤2 ULN were included. The METAVIR scoring system was adopted as the pathological diagnosis standard of liver fibrosis. Using liver histology as a gold standard, the performances of GPR, APRI, and Fib‐4 for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were evaluated and compared by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curves (AUROCs). Of 401 patients, 121 (30.2%), 49 (12.2%) and 17 (4.2%) were classified as having significant fibrosis (≥F2), severe fibrosis (≥F3) and cirrhosis (=F4), respectively. After estimating the AUROC to predict significant fibrosis, the performance of GPR (AUROC=0.66, 95% CI 0.60–0.72) was higher than APRI (AUROC=0.58, 95% CI 0.52–0.64, P=.002) and Fib‐4 scores (AUROC=0.54, 95% CI 0.47–0.60, P<.001). After estimating the AUROC to predict severe fibrosis, the performance of GPR (AUROC=0.71, 95% CI 0.63–0.80) was also higher than APRI (AUROC=0.65, 95% CI 0.56–0.73, P=.003) and Fib‐4 scores (AUROC=0.67, 95% CI 0.58–0.75, P=.001). After estimating the AUROC to predict cirrhosis, the performance of GPR (AUROC=0.73, 95% CI 0.56–0.88) was higher than APRI (AUROC=0.69, 95% CI 0.54–0.83, P=.041) and Fib‐4 scores (AUROC=0.69, 95% CI 0.55–0.82, P=.012) too. The GPR is a new serum model for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and shows obvious advantages in Chinese HBeAg‐positive patients with HBV DNA≥5 log10 copies/mL and ALT≤2 ULN compared with APRI and Fib‐4, thus warranting its widespread use for this specific population.