bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isotopic methods for non‐destructive assessment of carbon dynamics in shrublands under long‐term climate change manipulation
Authors: Andresen Louise C. , Domínguez Maria T. , Reinsch Sabine , Smith Andrew R. , Schmidt Inger K. , Ambus Per , Beier Claus , Boeckx Pascal , Bol Roland , de Dato Giovanbattista , Emmett Bridget A. , Estiarte Marc , Garnett Mark H. , Kröel‐Dulay György , Mason Sharon L. , Nielsen Cecilie S. , Peñuelas Josep , Tietema Albert 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Long‐term climate change experiments are extremely valuable for studying ecosystem responses to environmental change. Examination of the vegetation and the soil should be non‐destructive to guarantee long‐term research. In this paper, we review field methods using isotope techniques for assessing carbon dynamics in the plant–soil–air continuum, based on recent field experience and examples from a European climate change manipulation network.

Eight European semi‐natural shrubland ecosystems were exposed to warming and drought manipulations. One field site was additionally exposed to elevated atmospheric CO2. We discuss the isotope methods that were used across the network to evaluate carbon fluxes and ecosystem responses, including: (1) analysis of the naturally rare isotopes of carbon (13C and 14C) and nitrogen (15N); (2) use of in situ pulse labelling with 13CO2, soil injections of 13C‐ and 15N‐enriched substrates, or continuous labelling by free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) and (3) manipulation of isotopic composition of soil substrates (14C) in laboratory‐based studies.

The natural 14C signature of soil respiration gave insight into a possible long‐term shift in the partitioning between the decomposition of young and old soil carbon sources. Contrastingly, the stable isotopes 13C and 15N were used for shorter‐term processes, as the residence time in a certain compartment of the stable isotope label signal is limited. The use of labelled carbon‐compounds to study carbon mineralisation by soil micro‐organisms enabled to determine the long‐term effect of climate change on microbial carbon uptake kinetics and turnover.

Based on the experience with the experimental work, we provide recommendations for the application of the reviewed methods to study carbon fluxes in the plant–soil–air continuum in climate change experiments. 13C‐labelling techniques exert minimal physical disturbances, however, the dilution of the applied isotopic signal can be challenging. In addition, the contamination of the field site with excess 13C or 14C can be a problem for subsequent natural abundance (14C and 13C) or label studies. The use of slight changes in carbon and nitrogen natural abundance does not present problems related to potential dilution or contamination risks, but the usefulness depends on the fractionation rate of the studied processes.
Trends in Alcohol‐Related Emergency Department Visits in the United States: Results from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, 2006 to 2014
Authors: White Aaron M. , Slater Megan E. , Ng Grace , Hingson Ralph , Breslow Rosalind 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundAcute alcohol consumption and chronic alcohol consumption increase the burden placed on emergency departments (EDs) by contributing to injury and disease. Whether the prevalence of alcohol‐related ED visits in the United States has changed in recent years is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in ED visits involving acute and chronic alcohol consumption in the United States by age and sex between 2006 and 2014.MethodsData from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), the largest all‐payer ED database in the United States involving 945 hospitals in 33 states and Washington, DC, were analyzed to assess changes in prevalence and rates of ED visits involving acute and chronic alcohol consumption by age and sex over time among persons aged ≥12 between 2006 and 2014.ResultsBetween 2006 and 2014, the number of ED visits involving alcohol consumption increased 61.6%, from 3,080,214 to 4,976,136. The rate increased 47% from 1,223 to 1,802 per 100,000 population and the total cost of such visits increased 272% from $4.1 billion to $15.3 billion. The number of acute alcohol‐related ED visits increased 51.5% from 1,801,006 to 2,728,313 and the rate increased 40% from 720.9 to 1,009.6 per 100,000 population. The number chronic alcohol‐related visits increased 75.7% from 1,279,208 to 2,247,823 and the rate increased 57.9% from 502.2 to 792.9 per 100,000. The annual percentage change in rates of all alcohol‐related ED visits was larger for females than for males (5.3% vs. 4.0%). Other drug involvement increased the likelihood of admission for inpatient treatment.ConclusionsAlcohol consumption contributed to an increasing number of ED visits in the United States between 2006 and 2014, especially among females. Increased utilization of evidence‐based interventions is needed.
Acute and chronic modulation of striatal endocannabinoid‐mediated plasticity by nicotine
Authors: Adermark Louise , Morud Julia , Lotfi Amir , Ericson Mia , Söderpalm Bo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe endocannabinoid (eCB) system modulates several phenomena related to addictive behaviors, and drug‐induced changes in eCB signaling have been postulated to be important mediators of physiological and pathological reward‐related synaptic plasticity. Here, we studied eCB‐mediated long‐term depression (eCB‐LTD) in the dorsolateral striatum, a brain region critical for acquisition of habitual and automatic behavior. We report that nicotine differentially affects ex vivo eCB signaling depending on previous exposure in vivo. In the nicotine‐naïve brain, nicotine facilitates eCB‐signaling and LTD, whereas tolerance develops to this facilitating effect after subchronic exposure in vivo. In the end, a progressive impairment of eCB‐induced LTD is established after protracted withdrawal from nicotine. Endocannabinoid‐LTD is reinstated 6 months after the last drug injection, but a brief period of nicotine re‐exposure is sufficient to yet again impair eCB‐signaling. LTD induced by the cannabinoid 1 receptor agonist WIN55,212‐2 is not affected, suggesting that nicotine modulates eCB production or release. Nicotine‐induced facilitation of eCB‐LTD is occluded by the dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinpirole, and by the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist scopolamine. In addition, the same compounds restore eCB‐LTD during protracted withdrawal. Nicotine may thus modulate eCB‐signaling by affecting dopaminergic and cholinergic neurotransmission in a long‐lasting manner. Overall, the data presented here suggest that nicotine facilitates eCB‐LTD in the initial phase, which putatively could promote neurophysiological and behavioral adaptations to the drug. Protracted withdrawal, however, impairs eCB‐LTD, which may influence or affect the ability to maintain cessation.
Fetal aneuploidy diagnosed at celocentesis for early prenatal diagnosis of congenital hemoglobinopathies
Authors: Giambona Antonino , Leto Filippo , Passarello Cristina , Vinciguerra Margherita , Cigna Valentina , Schillaci Giovanna , Picciotto Francesco , Lauricella Salvatrice , Nicolaides Kypros H. , Makrydimas George , Damiani Gianfranca , Maggio Aurelio 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIntroductionCurrently, prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders requires chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis carried out after 11 and 16 weeks of gestation, respectively. Celocentesis is a procedure for prenatal diagnosis that could be used from as early as 7 weeks. The present investigation evaluated the feasibility of performing diagnosis for monogenic diseases using celomic fluid containing cells of fetal origin.Material and methodsAnalysis consisted of 489 singleton pregnancies undergoing celocentesis for the prenatal diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies (n = 367) or before surgical termination of pregnancy for social indications (n = 122). Embryo‐fetal cells were isolated from celomic fluid using CD71 antibodies or by micromanipulation. Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction of short tandem repeat sequences of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y were used to determine the presence of maternal DNA.Results357/489 (73%) of celomic fluid samples were contaminated with maternal cells. In two cases, diagnosis was not possible due to the high contamination of celomic fluid. Eighty‐seven (23.8%) fetuses were affected by hemoglobinopathies and, in five cases, chromosomal aneuploidies were found, including three cases of trisomy 21, one of trisomy 13 and one of triploidy. In all cases, the diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies and chromosomal abnormalities was confirmed by molecular and traditional cytogenetic analysis after amniocentesis, chorionic villus or placental tissue collection following pregnancy termination.ConclusionsThe findings of this study demonstrate that embryo‐fetal cell selection from celomic fluid allows reliable and early prenatal diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies and can give more information on any fetal aneuploidy following the control of maternal contamination by quantitative fluorescent‐PCR.
Gender differences in clinical registration trials: is there a real problem?
Authors: Labots Geert , Jones Aubrey , de Visser Saco J. , Rissmann Robert , Burggraaf Jacobus 
Published: January 2018

AimsSeveral studies have reported the under‐representation of women in clinical trials, thereby challenging the external validity of the benefit/risk assessments of launched drugs. Our aim was to determine the extent to which women have been included in clinical trials used for drug registration and to analyse the fraction of women participating in phases I, II and III.MethodsWe conducted cross‐sectional, structured research into publicly available registration dossiers of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved drugs that are prescribed frequently. Furthermore, we analysed compounds with high hepatic clearance and a known gender‐related difference in drug response. In a sensitivity analysis, we compared figures with US disease prevalence data.ResultsFor 38 of the initial 137 drugs (28%), sufficient data were reported and publicly available. For these drugs, 185 479 trial participants were included, of whom 47% were female and 44% were male; gender was not reported for 9% of participants. However, the number of female participants varied with the phase of the trial, with 22% females in phase I trials vs. 48% and 49%, respectively, in phase II and III trials. When compared with US disease prevalence data, 10 drugs (26%) had a greater than 20% difference between the proportion of females affected with the disease compared with representation in clinical trials.ConclusionsFrom these publicly available data, there was no evidence of any systematic under‐representation of women in clinical trials.
Association between antidepressant medication use and epithelial ovarian cancer risk: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Huo Yun‐Long , Qiao Jia‐Ming , Gao Song 
Published: January 2018

AimThe aim of this paper is to clarify the inconsistent findings in the association between antidepressant use and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).MethodsThis study is a meta‐analysis of observational studies retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases prior to August 15, 2017. Two researchers independently screened studies and extracted study characteristics and risk estimates. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of EOC risk were summarized using an inverse variance weighted random‐effects model. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed with the I2 statistic.ResultsEight case–control studies involving 7878 EOC cases and 73 913 controls were identified. Compared with non‐use, use of antidepressants was not significantly associated with EOC risk (summarized OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.91–1.32, I2 = 74.4%). Similar null results were also observed in the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.80–1.35), tricyclic antidepressants (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.79–1.30), and other antidepressant drugs (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.74–1.12). Subgroup analyses of study characteristics, stratified by the type of control subjects, geographic location, exposure assessment, number of cases, and adjustment for potential confounders, showed that the ORs were broadly consistent across strata. The OR per 1 year‐increment of duration was 0.99 (95% CI = 0.94–1.05, I2 = 40.0%, P = 0.154). Additionally, the OR for the greatest intensity of antidepressant use compared with never use was 0.82 (95% CI = 0.70–0.98, I2 = 0%, P = 0.489). Furthermore, no evidence of publication bias was detected through Funnel plots as well as Egger's and Begg's tests.ConclusionsThere is no association between antidepressant use and EOC risk. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
A novel succinate dehydrogenase subunit B germline variant associated with head and neck paraganglioma in a Dutch kindred: A family‐based study
Authors: de Vos B. , Rijken J.A. , Adank M.A. , Hoksbergen A.W.J. , Bayley J.P. , Leemans C.R. , Hensen E.F. 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveIn the Netherlands, the majority of hereditary head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGL) are caused by germline variants in the succinate dehydrogenase genes (SDHD, SDHB, SDHAF2). Here, we evaluate a four‐generation family linked to a novel SDHB gene variant with the manifestation of a HNPGL.DesignA family‐based study.SettingThe VU University Medical Center (VUmc) Amsterdam, a tertiary clinic for Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.Participants and main outcome measuresThe index patients presented with an embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma and a non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. Array‐based comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) analysis and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) revealed a novel deletion of exon 1‐3 in the SDHB gene, suspected to predispose to paraganglioma (PGL)/pheochromocytoma (PHEO) syndrome type 4. Subsequently, genetic counselling and DNA testing were offered to all family members at risk. Individuals that tested positive for this novel SDHB gene variant were counselled and additional clinical evaluation was offered for the identification of HNPGL and/or PHEO.ResultsThe DNA of 18 family members was tested, resulting in the identification of 10 carriers of the exon 1‐3 deletion in the SDHB gene. One carrier was diagnosed with a carotid body PGL and serum catecholamine excess, which was surgically excised. Negative SDHB immunostaining of the carotid body tumour confirmed that it was caused by the SDHB variant. The remaining 9 carriers showed no evidence of PGL/PHEO.ConclusionDeletion of exon 1‐3 in the SDHB gene is a novel germline variant associated with the formation of hereditary HNPGL.
Galantamine inhibits β‐amyloid‐induced cytostatic autophagy in PC12 cells through decreasing ROS production
Authors: Jiang Sheng , Zhao Ye , Zhang Tao , Lan Jingbin , Yang Jing , Yuan Longhui , Zhang Qiyu , Pan Kejian , Zhang Kun 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectivesAlzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent brain diseases among the elderly, majority of which is caused by abnormal deposition of amyloid beta‐peptide (Aβ). Galantamine, currently the first‐line drug in treatment of AD, has been shown to diminish Aβ‐induced neurotoxicity and exert favourable neuroprotective effects, but the detail mechanisms remain unclear.Materials and methodsEffects of galantamine on Aβ‐induced cytotoxicity were checked by MTT, clone formation and apoptosis assays. The protein variations and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were measured by western blotting analysis and dichloro‐dihydro‐fluorescein diacetate assay, respectively.ResultsGalantamine reversed Aβ‐induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in neuron cells PC12. Aβ activated the entire autophagy flux and accumulation of autophagosomes, and the inhibition of autophagy decreased the protein level of cleaved‐caspase‐3 and Aβ‐induced cytotoxicity. Meanwhile, galantamine suppressed Aβ‐mediated autophagy flux and accumulation of autophagosomes. Moreover, Aβ upregulated ROS accumulation, while ROS scavengers N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine impaired Aβ‐mediated autophagy. Further investigation showed that galantamine downregulated NOX4 expression to inhibit Aβ‐mediated ROS accumulation and autophagy.ConclusionsGalantamine inhibits Aβ‐induced cytostatic autophagy through decreasing ROS accumulation, providing new insights into deep understanding of AD progression and molecular basis of galantamine in neuroprotection.
Clinical characteristics of cystic fibrosis patients prior to lung transplantation: An international comparison between Canada and the United States
Authors: Quon Bradley S. , Sykes Jenna , Stanojevic Sanja , Marshall Bruce C. , Petren Kristofer , Ostrenga Josh , Fink Aliza , Elbert Alexander , Faro Albert , Goss Christopher H. , Stephenson Anne L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundCystic fibrosis (CF) patients from Canada have better‐reported post–lung transplant survival compared to patients from the United States. We hypothesized the clinical characteristics of CF patients prior to lung transplant differ between the two countries.MethodsPopulation‐based cohort study utilizing combined Canadian CF Registry and US CF Foundation Patient Registry data from 1986 to 2013. Demographic and clinical variables were analyzed prior to lung transplant.ResultsBetween 1986 and 2013, 607 (10.2%) CF patients underwent lung transplantation in Canada and 3428 (7.5%) in the United States. A lower proportion of recipients had growth of B. cepacia complex prior to transplant in the United States compared to Canada (0.8% vs 4.3%). Lung function was similar between recipients from the two countries. The proportion of patients classified as underweight was significantly higher in the United States compared to Canada (39.8% vs 28.0%; SD 26.1) despite higher rates of feeding tube use (42.5% vs 28.6%; SD 29.0).ConclusionsCF lung transplant recipients from the United States have similar lung function, lower rates of B. cepacia complex, and worse nutritional parameters prior to transplant compared to counterparts in Canada. Future studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of these differences on post‐transplant survival.
Risk of peritoneal dialysis catheter‐associated peritonitis following kidney transplant
Authors: Rizzi Andrew M. , Riutta Stephen D. , Peterson Joshua M. , Gagin Galina , Fritze Danielle M. , Barrett Meredith , Sung Randall S. , Woodside Kenneth J. , Lu Yee 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectivePeritoneal dialysis (PD) patients have equivalent or slightly better kidney transplant outcomes when compared to hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, given the risk for postoperative infection, we sought to determine the risk factors for PD catheter‐associated infections for patients who do not have the PD catheter removed at the time of engraftment.MethodsDemographic and outcomes data were collected from 313 sequential PD patients who underwent kidney transplant from 2000 to 2015. Risk factors for postoperative peritonitis were analyzed using logistical regression.ResultsOf 329 patients with PD catheters at transplant, 16 PD catheters were removed at engraftment. Of the remaining 313 patients, 8.9% suffered post‐transplant peritonitis. On univariate analysis, patients with peritonitis were significantly more likely to have used the PD catheter or HD within 6 weeks after transplant. Multivariate analysis had similar findings, with increased risk for those using the PD catheter after transplant, with a trend for those who underwent HD only within 6 weeks of transplant.ConclusionThese results suggest that delayed graft function requiring any type of dialysis is associated with increased post‐transplant peritonitis risk.
Impact of superparasitism time intervals on progeny survival and fitness of an egg parasitoid
Authors: DUVAL JEAN‐FRANÇOIS , BRODEUR JACQUES , DOYON JOSÉE , BOIVIN GUY 
Published: January 2018

1.Superparasitism influences the fitness of female parasitoids and their progeny, and increasing time interval between oviposition bouts generally reduces survival probabilities of the second clutch. However, the timing of superparasitism may, under certain conditions, favour the second clutch.2. This study investigated the effects of superparasitism time intervals on survival and fitness of both clutches, allowing the egg parasitoid Trichogramma euproctidis to parasitise previously parasitised Ephestia kuehniella host eggs at different time intervals.3. In short intervals (0–1 h), a significant advantage was found for the second clutch over the first clutch (93.1% survival). In contrast, the second clutch was outcompeted by the first clutch in 17–19 h and 27–29 h intervals. Females deposited their eggs into larvae (intraspecific hyperparasitism) in a 39–41 h interval with a probability of survival of 57.1%. Females mostly refused to hyperparasitise pupae (∼80% rejection at 124–126 h), and when they did, their progeny never survived.4. Hyperparasitism significantly increased parasitoid mortality in both clutches from less than 20% (superparasitism only) to over 35%.5. Except on newly laid eggs (0–1 h), superparasiting females were frequently observed attempting to stab immatures of all stages (from 36.4% to 89.4% of all ovipositions depending on treatment), but infanticide only appeared to succeed on larvae (39–41 h).6. When the second clutch survived, emerging parasitoids were smaller than control individuals, probably due to resource depletion.7. These results suggest that T. euproctidis females can detect that a host has been previously parasitised but they cannot perceive superparasitism time intervals.
Dementia IT screening system (DITS): Practical use of local social resources for early diagnosis of dementia with collaboration between family physicians and dementia specialists
Authors: Satoh Masayuki , Kida Hirotaka , Kawagita Sumie , Yamazaki Kyoko , Tabei Ken‐ichi , Tomimoto Hidekazu 
Published: January 2018

AimTo build a dementia screening system in the community to facilitate collaboration among patients/caregiver(s), family clinic physicians and memory clinic specialists.MethodsWe placed a Dementia Network Promoter (DNP) in four cities in Mie prefecture, Japan. Based on requests from patients/caregiver(s), family clinic physicians ordered dementia screening from the DNP. The DNP carried out screenings at the clinic using an IT device (iPad), and sent the results to a dementia specialist at the Mie University Hospital Dementia Center. The dementia specialist assessed the results of the screening tests, and made a treatment recommendation for a follow‐up consultation with a memory clinic or continuing observation by the family clinic. The DNP reported the recommendation of the dementia specialist to the family clinic physician, who provided this information to the patients/caregiver(s). We investigated the characteristics of the patients referred for consultation with the memory clinic.ResultsA total of 158 patients participated in the screening. The majority of patients were in vulnerable living situations characterized by minimal social and family support. The mean score on the Mini‐Mental State Examination was 24.1 ± 5.2. Of patients screened, 62% were referred for consultation at the memory clinic, and 57% of those referred completed a consultation at the memory clinic. Patients referred to the memory clinic showed significantly worse cognitive function and ability to complete activities of daily living.ConclusionsA dementia screening system might facilitate early consultation and intervention for patients with dementia, and build a more effective network to connect families and memory clinics. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 599–606.