bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and safety of using an automated decision support system for insulin therapy in the treatment of steroid‐induced hyperglycemia in patients with acute graft‐versus‐host disease: A randomized trial
Authors: Aberer Felix , Mader Julia K , Holzgruber Julia , Trummer Christian , Schwetz Verena , Pandis Marlene , Pferschy Peter N , Greinix Hildegard , Tripolt Norbert J , Pieber Thomas R , Zebisch Armin , Sill Heinz , Wölfler Albert , Sourij Harald 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSteroid‐induced hyperglycemia (SIHG) has shown to independently increase the risk for mortality in patients with acute graft‐versus‐host disease, and it is still unclear whether SIHG might be a modifiable risk factor. Therefore, a feasibility trial was carried out aiming to evaluate the performance of a standardized decision support system (GlucoTab [GT]) for insulin therapy in patients with SIHG. A total of 10 hyperglycemic acute graft‐versus‐host disease patients were included and treated either with GT or standard of care during hospitalization. Follow‐up duration was 6 months. Comparing the GT versus standard of care group, 364 versus 1,020 glucose readings were available during a median of 41 days (interquartile range [IQR] 22–89) and 101 days (IQR 55–147) of hospitalization. The median overall glucose levels were 151 mg/dL (123–192) versus 162 mg/dL (IQR 138–193) for GT and standard of care, respectively (P < 0.001); hypoglycemia rates were comparably low. Treatment of SIHG with an algorithm‐based system for subcutaneous insulin was feasible and safe.
Utility and limitations of noninvasive fibrosis markers for predicting prognosis in biopsy‐proven Japanese non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease patients
Authors: Ito Takanori , Ishigami Masatoshi , Ishizu Yoji , Kuzuya Teiji , Honda Takashi , Hayashi Kazuhiko , Nishimura Daisaku , Toyoda Hidenori , Kumada Takashi , Goto Hidemi , Hirooka Yoshiki 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackground and AimThe fibrosis stage of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with long‐term prognosis, including liver‐related mortality. However, it is not yet clear whether noninvasive fibrosis markers can predict the incidence of non‐liver‐related complications in Japanese NAFLD. In this study, we clarified the prognosis of NAFLD patients, including non‐liver‐related diseases, based on hepatic pathology and noninvasive fibrosis markers.MethodsA total of 246 Japanese patients with NAFLD diagnosed by liver biopsy were enrolled. We investigated their prognosis based on hepatic pathology and noninvasive fibrosis markers.ResultsWhen these patients were categorized based on the severity of liver fibrosis as F0–2 (n = 196) and F3–4 (n = 50), the patients with F3–4 had significantly poorer prognosis in overall survival rates and all complications (P < 0.05). The fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) index was useful to predict overall survival and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis (LC)‐related complications but not extrahepatic malignancies. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed the following risk factors: total bilirubin ≥ 1.2 (hazard ratio [HR] 6.362, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.393–29.052) and severe liver fibrosis (HR 6.512, 95% CI 1.433–29.592) for overall survival; liver fibrosis (F3–4) (HR 13.370, 95% CI 2.775–64.427) for hepatocellular carcinoma; FIB‐4 index (HR 26.560, 95% CI 3.320–212.494) for LC‐related complications, and liver inflammation (A2–3) (HR 4.214, 95% CI 1.354–13.116) for extrahepatic malignancies.ConclusionsSevere liver fibrosis was associated not only with the hepatocarcinogenesis and LC‐related complications but also with extrahepatic malignancies. The FIB‐4 index was useful for predicting liver‐related diseases but had limitations in predicting extrahepatic malignancies.
What Affects the Secondhand Value of Smartphones: Evidence from eBay
Authors: Makov Tamar , Fishman Tomer , Chertow Marian R. , Blass Vered 
Published: August 2018

SummaryReuse via secondhand markets can extend the use phase of products, thereby reducing environmental impacts. Analyzing 500,000 listings of used Apple and Samsung smartphones sold in 2015 and 2016 via eBay, we examine which product properties affect how long smartphones retain market value and facilitate market‐based reuse. Our results suggest that although repairability and large memory size are typically thought to be “life extending,” in practice they have limited impact on the current economic life span of smartphones and their market‐based reuse. In contrast, we show that brand, an intangible product property, can extend smartphones’ economic life span by 12.5 months. Because longer economic life spans imply extended use phases and longer life spans overall, these results illustrate the potential of harnessing the intangible properties of products to promote sustainable consumption.
Rice miR394 suppresses leaf inclination through targeting an F‐box gene, LEAF INCLINATION 4
Authors: Qu Li , Lin Li‐Bi , Xue Hong‐Wei 
Published: August 2018

AbstractRice leaf inclination is an important agronomic trait, closely related to plant architecture and yield. Identification of genes controlling leaf inclination would assist in crop improvement. Although various factors, including the plant hormones auxin and brassinosteroids, have been shown to regulate lamina joint development, the role of microRNAs in regulating leaf inclination remains largely unknown. Here, we functionally characterize the role of rice miR394 and its target, LEAF INCLINCATION 4 (LC4), which encodes an F‐box protein, in the regulation of leaf inclination. We show that miR394 and LC4 work, antagonistically, to regulate leaf lamina joint development and rice architecture, by modulating expansion and elongation of adaxial parenchyma cells. Suppressed expression of miR394, or enhanced expression of LC4, results in enlarged leaf angles, whereas reducing LC4 expression by CRISPR/Cas9 leads to reduced leaf inclination, suggesting LC4 as candidate for use in rice architecture improvement. LC4 interacts with SKP1, a component of the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and transcription of both miR394 and LC4 are regulated by auxin. Rice plants with altered expression of miR394 or LC4 have altered auxin responses, indicating that the miR394‐LC4 module mediates auxin effects important for determining rice leaf inclination and architecture.
Molecular mechanism of mercuric chloride inhibiting progesterone secretion in ovarian granulosa cells of laying hens
Authors: Ma Yan , Gong Yujie J. , Xu Qianqian Q. , Zou Xiaoting 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of mercury (Hg) on progesterone secretion in ovarian granulosa cells of laying hens. The gene expressions of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 cholesterol side‐chain cleavage (P450scc) and 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β‐HSD), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)‐protein kinase A (PKA) pathway and intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) were further investigated to uncover the molecular mechanism. Results revealed that the cell viability was gradually decreased after Hg exposure from 0 to 24 hr. Besides, progesterone secretion was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) as the concentration of Hg increased from 0 to 4 μM followed by a plateau in 6 μM Hg group at 12‐hr time point. Compared with 0 μM Hg group, 4 and 6 μM Hg for 48 hr had significantly decreased progesterone secretion (p < 0.05), while Hg exposure for 6 and 24 hr had no apparent effect on progesterone secretion. In addition, positive correlations occurred among intracellular progesterone, cAMP, PKA, mRNA expressions of StAR, P450scc and 3β‐HSD at 12‐h and 24‐h time points. On the contrary, intracellular Ca2+ level was negatively related to cAMP level at 6 time point and was negatively correlated with progesterone and PKA level at 48 time point. It could be concluded that Hg dose‐ and time‐dependently inhibited progesterone secretion by means of attenuating cAMP‐PKA signal pathway, gene expressions of StAR, P450scc and 3β‐HSD and enhancing intracellular Ca2+ in ovarian granulosa cells of laying hens.
Morphology, ultrastructure, and molecular phylogeny of Wangodinium sinense gen. et sp. nov. (Gymnodiniales, Dinophyceae) and revisiting of Gymnodinium dorsalisulcum and Gymnodinium impudicum
Authors: Luo Zhaohe , Hu Zhangxi , Tang Yingzhong , Mertens Kenneth Neil , Leaw Chui Pin , Lim Po Teen , Teng Sing Tung , Wang Lei , Gu Haifeng 
Published: August 2018

The genus Gymnodinium includes many morphologically similar species, but molecular phylogenies show that it is polyphyletic. Eight strains of Gymnodinium impudicum, Gymnodinium dorsalisulcum and a novel Gymnodinium‐like species from Chinese and Malaysian waters and the Mediterranean Sea were established. All of these strains were examined with light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. SSU, LSU and internal transcribed spacers rDNA sequences were obtained. A new genus, Wangodinium, was erected to incorporate strains with a loop‐shaped apical structure complex (ASC) comprising two rows of amphiesmal vesicles, here referred to as a new type of ASC. The chloroplasts of Wangodinium sinense are enveloped by two membranes. Pigment analysis shows that peridinin is the main accessory pigment in W. sinense. Wangodinium differs from other genera mainly in its unique ASC, and additionally differs from Gymnodinium in the absence of nuclear chambers, and from Lepidodinium in the absence of Chl b and nuclear chambers. New morphological information was provided for G. dorsalisulcum and G. impudicum, e.g., a short sulcal intrusion in G. dorsalisulcum; nuclear chambers in G. impudicum and G. dorsalisulcum; and a chloroplast enveloped by two membranes in G. impudicum. Molecular phylogeny was inferred using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference with independent SSU and LSU rDNA sequences. Our results support the classification of Wangodinium within the Gymnodiniales sensu stricto clade and it is close to Lepidodinium. Our results also support the close relationship among G. dorsalisulcum, G. impudicum, and Barrufeta. Further research is needed to assign these Gymnodinium species to Barrufeta or to erect new genera.
Fine scale distribution for a population of New Zealand's only endemic dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) shows long‐term stability of coastal hotspots
Authors: Brough Tom , Rayment William , Slooten Elisabeth , Dawson Stephen 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMarine mammal populations often have “hotspots” of distribution. Understanding what drives these is important for understanding relationships with habitat and evaluating exposure to threats. Few studies investigate the stability of hotspots, yet this information is vital in assessing their importance. In this study, over 9,000 sightings made during systematic surveys over 29 yr are used to establish the existence, locations, and temporal dynamics of hotspots for Hector's dolphins at Banks Peninsula, New Zealand. Sightings were divided into four seasons and three time periods to assess temporal trends in habitat use. Kernel density analysis was performed on sightings, weighted by survey effort. Density values at hotspots and reference areas were modeled according to season and time period using linear mixed models. Fifty percent of weighted sightings (n = 4,513) occurred within 21% of the study area. Hotspots had significantly higher densities during summer and these high‐density areas have remained consistent over time. Such consistency implies importance of these areas to the dolphins' ecology. This information adds to our knowledge of how this endangered species uses its habitat, suggests candidate areas for protection from threats, and provides a baseline for assessing habitat related impacts on Hector's dolphins at Banks Peninsula.© 2018 Society for Marine Mammalogy
First record and spreading of the invasive mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901) in Croatia
Authors: Klobučar A. , Lipovac I. , Žagar N. , Mitrović‐Hamzić S. , Tešić V. , Vilibić‐Čavlek T. , Merdić E. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAedes (Hulecoeteomyia) japonicus japonicus (Theobald, 1901) has recently established across North America and Central Europe. A 3‐year survey was conducted in northwestern Croatian regions from 2013 to 2015 using mosquito ovitraps at possible points of entry and house yards, occasionally complemented by larval collections from cemetery vases. In the first year, the survey investigated the county bordering Slovenia, where the first detection of Ae. j. japonicus had taken place on 28 August 2013. During the next 2 years, Ae. j. japonicus was detected in this area from early May until late October. In 2015, several counties further to the east were included in the survey, leading to the detection of Ae. j. japonicus approximately 100 km eastward from the initially surveyed region. Given a moderate continental climate and homogeneous climatic conditions in this part of Europe, the eastward spread of Ae. j. japonicus can be expected to continue.
On the minimum leaf conductance: its role in models of plant water use, and ecological and environmental controls
Authors: Duursma Remko A. , Blackman Christopher J. , Lopéz Rosana , Martin‐StPaul Nicolas K. , Cochard Hervé , Medlyn Belinda E. 
Published: August 2018

Contents

Summary
693

I.
Introduction
693

II.
Comparison of various definitions and measurement techniques of minimum conductance
694

III.
Cuticular conductance
695

IV.
Contribution of stomata
696

V.
Environmental and ecological variation in minimum conductance
696

VI.
Use of minimum conductance in models
698

VII.
Conclusions
703

Acknowledgements
703

References
703

SummaryWhen the rate of photosynthesis is greatly diminished, such as during severe drought, extreme temperature or low light, it seems advantageous for plants to close stomata and completely halt water loss. However, water loss continues through the cuticle and incompletely closed stomata, together constituting the leaf minimum conductance (gmin). In this review, we critically evaluate the sources of variation in gmin, quantitatively compare various methods for its estimation, and illustrate the role of gmin in models of leaf gas exchange. A literature compilation of gmin as measured by the weight loss of detached leaves is presented, which shows much variation in this trait, which is not clearly related to species groups, climate of origin or leaf type. Much evidence points to the idea that gmin is highly responsive to the growing conditions of the plant, including soil water availability, temperature and air humidity – as we further demonstrate with two case studies. We pay special attention to the role of the minimum conductance in the Ball–Berry model of stomatal conductance, and caution against the usual regression‐based method for its estimation. The synthesis presented here provides guidelines for the use of gmin in ecosystem models, and points to clear research gaps for this drought tolerance trait.
Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae from cool climate Australian grapevine vineyards: new phylogroup PG02f associated with bacterial inflorescence rot
Authors: Hall S. J. , Dry I. B. , Gopurenko D. , Whitelaw‐Weckert M. A. 
Published: August 2018

During the period 2006–2011, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae caused a bacterial inflorescence rot (BIR) epidemic in an Australian cool climate viticultural region. Molecular multilocus sequence typing of ‘housekeeping’ genes (MLST), biochemical testing and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) were used to characterize the genotypes and phenotypes of P. syringae pv. syringae grapevine isolates. Comparison of the MLST data with exemplars of phylogroups available at PAMDB demonstrated that the BIR isolates formed a new clade within P. syringae pv. syringae phylogroup 2 (PG02): putatively designated PG02f. Analysis of the MLST and phenotypic data by AMOVA demonstrated some genetic differences between the BIR isolates and the general vineyard P. syringae pv. syringae population. Isolates positive for syringopeptin, syringomycin and tyrosinase, tobacco leaf hypersensitivity reaction (HR), ampicillin resistance and grapevine leaf pathogenicity were genetically distinct from those negative for these factors. This study has shown that, generally, the core genome of P. syringae pv. syringae is only weakly associated with the virulence‐associated traits. As the new phylogroup PG02f consists of the epidemic BIR isolates and nonpathogenic grapevine isolates, these genetically similar isolates differ greatly in pathogenicity and most of the other tested phenotypic traits. However, within the PG02f group, tobacco leaf HR and presence of sylC (the gene for phytotoxin syringolin A) are associated with the BIR and bacterial leaf spot (BLS) isolates, and negative for the nonpathogens, indicating that these two virulence factors may be associated with vineyard pathogenicity within the new Australian phylogroup.
B lymphocyte subsets and outcomes in patients with an initial diagnosis of transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy
Authors: Eroglu Fehime K. , Aerts Kaya Fatima , Cagdas Deniz , Özgür Tuba Turul , Yılmaz Togay , Tezcan İlhan , Sanal Özden 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPurposeTransient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy (THI) is a common immunodeficiency, but definitive diagnosis can only be made retrospectively. While the pathogenesis is still unknown, abnormalities have been reported in the B cell compartment. In this study, we analysed the B cell subsets of patients with an initial THI diagnosis (n = 20) and compared them with those of healthy age‐matched Turkish children (n = 72).MethodsFlow cytometric analyses of the B subsets were performed by staining with anti‐CD27‐PE, anti‐CD19‐PerCP, anti‐IgD‐FITC and anti‐IgM‐APC antibodies.ResultsDuring a median follow‐up of 6.6 years, 13 patients whose IgG levels had normalized before they reached four years of age were diagnosed with definitive THI. The memory subsets of these patients were lower but not statistically different from the healthy controls (HC). The remaining seven patients had prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia after the age of four and had significantly lower memory B cell subsets compared to the HC. On follow‐up, these patients had not experienced recurrent infections or autoimmunity. Re‐evaluation of patients’ B cell subsets six years later showed that the memory B cell ratios had increased to levels comparable to HC, despite the patients still having mildly low IgG levels.ConclusionPatients with prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia had lower levels of memory B cells despite having a similar clinical course to patients who had been diagnosed with definitive THI. This subgroup of putative THI patients poses a diagnostic and classification dilemma. Our results suggested that these patients’ memory B cells and IgG levels may recover over time.
Incidence and outcome of invasive fungal diseases after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A Swiss transplant cohort study
Authors: Kuster Sabine , Stampf Susanne , Gerber Bernhard , Baettig Veronika , Weisser Maja , Gerull Sabine , Medinger Michael , Passweg Jakob , Schanz Urs , Garzoni Christian , Berger Christoph , Chalandon Yves , Mueller Nicolas J. , van Delden Christian , Neofytos Dionysios , Khanna Nina ,   Swiss Transplant Cohort Study
Published: August 2018

AbstractContemporary, comprehensive data on epidemiology and outcomes of invasive fungal disease (IFD) including breakthrough IFD among allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients are scarce. We included 479 allogeneic HSCT recipients with 10 invasive candidiasis (IC) and 31 probable/proven invasive mold disease (IMD) from the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study from 01.2009 to 08.2013. Overall cumulative incidence was 2.3% for IC and 8.5% for probable/proven IMI: 6% for invasive aspergillosis (IA) and 2.5% for non‐AspergillusIMI. Among 41 IFD, 46% IFD were breakthrough, with an overall incidence of 4.6%, more frequently caused by other‐than‐Aspergillus fumigatus molds than primary IFD (47.6% (10/21) vs 13% (3/23), P = 0.04). Twelve‐week mortality among patients with IC was 20% and 58.6% for probable/proven IMD (60% IA and 54.6% non‐Aspergillus). Our results reveal that breakthrough IFD represent a marked burden of probable/proven IFD postallogeneic HSCT and mortality remains above 50% in patients with probable/proven IMD, underscoring the ongoing challenges to prevent and treat IFD in these patients.
Shedding light on the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP)‐pathway: long hypocotyl 5 (HY5)/phytochrome‐interacting factors (PIFs) transcription factors modulating key limiting steps
Authors: Chenge‐Espinosa Marel , Cordoba Elizabeth , Romero‐Guido Cynthia , Toledo‐Ortiz Gabriela , León Patricia 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe plastidial methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway is an essential route for plants as the source of precursors for all plastidial isoprenoids, many of which are of medical and biotechnological importance. The MEP pathway is highly sensitive to environmental cues as many of these compounds are linked to photosynthesis and growth and light is one of the main regulatory factors. However, the mechanisms coordinating the MEP pathway with light cues are not fully understood. Here we demonstrate that by a differential direct transcriptional modulation, via the key‐master integrators of light signal transduction HY5 and PIFs which target the genes that encode the rate‐controlling DXS1, DXR and HDR enzymes, light imposes a direct, rapid and potentially multi‐faceted response that leads to unique protein dynamics of this pathway, resulting in a significant difference in the protein levels. For DXS1, PIF1/HY5 act as a direct activation/suppression module. In contrast, DXR accumulation in response to light results from HY5 induction with minor contribution of de‐repression by PIF1. Finally, HDR transcription increases in the light exclusively by suppression of the PIFs repression. This is an example of how light signaling components can differentially multi‐target the initial steps of a pathway whose products branch downstream to all chloroplastic isoprenoids. These findings demonstrate the diversity and flexibility of light signaling components that optimize key biochemical pathways essential for plant growth.