bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemodenitrification in the cryoecosystem of Lake Vida, Victoria Valley, Antarctica
Authors: Ostrom N. E. , Gandhi H. , Trubl G. , Murray A. E. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractLake Vida, in the Victoria Valley of East Antarctica, is frozen, yet harbors liquid brine (~20% salt, >6 times seawater) intercalated in the ice below 16 m. The brine has been isolated from the surface for several thousand years. The brine conditions (permanently dark, −13.4 °C, lack of O2, and pH of 6.2) and geochemistry are highly unusual. For example, nitrous oxide (N2O) is present at a concentration among the highest reported for an aquatic environment. Only a minor 17O anomaly was observed in N2O, indicating that this gas was predominantly formed in the lake. In contrast, the 17O anomaly in nitrate () in Lake Vida brine indicates that approximately half or more of the present is derived from atmospheric deposition. Lake Vida brine was incubated in the presence of 15N‐enriched substrates for 40 days. We did not detect microbial nitrification, dissimilatory reduction of to ammonium (), anaerobic ammonium oxidation, or denitrification of N2O under the conditions tested. In the presence of 15N‐enriched nitrite (), both N2 and N2O exhibited substantial 15N enrichments; however, isotopic enrichment declined with time, which is unexpected. Additions of 15N– alone and in the presence of HgCl2 and ZnCl2 to aged brine at −13 °C resulted in linear increases in the δ15N of N2O with time. As HgCl2 and ZnCl2 are effective biocides, we interpret N2O production in the aged brine to be the result of chemodenitrification. With this understanding, we interpret our results from the field incubations as the result of chemodenitrification stimulated by the addition of 15N‐enriched and ZnCl2 and determined rates of N2O and N2 production of 4.11–41.18 and 0.55–1.75 nmol L−1 day−1, respectively. If these rates are representative of natural production, the current concentration of N2O in Lake Vida could have been reached between 6 and 465 years. Thus, chemodenitrification alone is sufficient to explain the high levels of N2O present in Lake Vida.
Transformation of galena to pyromorphite produces bioavailable sulfur for neutrophilic chemoautotrophy
Authors: Walczak A. B. , Kafantaris F.‐C. A. , Druschel G. K. , Yee N. , Young L. Y. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe aqueous concentration of lead [Pb(II)] in geochemical environments is controlled by the solubility of Pb‐bearing minerals and their weathering products. In contaminated soils, a common method for in situ stabilization of Pb(II) is the addition of phosphate to convert more redox sensitive sulfide minerals into sparingly soluble pyromorphite [Pb5(PO4)3X]. In this study, we conducted experimental studies to investigate the fate of reduced sulfur during the conversion of galena [PbS] to chloropyromorphite [Pb5(PO4)3Cl]. Powder X‐ray diffraction analysis indicated that the reaction of phosphate with galena under oxic conditions resulted in the oxidation of sulfide and formation of elemental sulfur [S8]. Under oxic abiotic conditions, the S8 was retained in the solid phase, and negligible concentrations of sulfur as sulfide and thiosulfate were detected in the aqueous phase and only a small amount of sulfate. When PbS reacted in the presence of the chemoautotrophic organism Bosea sp. WAO, the S8 in the secondary mineral was oxidized to sulfate. Strain WAO produced significantly more sulfate from the secondary S8 than from the primary galena. Microscopic analysis of mineral–microbe aggregates on mineral‐embedded slide cultures showed that the organism was colocalized and increased in biomass over time on the secondary mineral surface supporting a microbial role. The results of this study indicate that stimulation of sulfur‐oxidizing activity may be a direct consequence of phosphate amendments to Pb(II)‐contaminated soils.
Richer histories for more relevant policies: 42 years of tree cover loss and gain in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Kelley Lisa C. , Evans Samuel G. , Potts Matthew D. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractUnderstandings of contemporary forest cover loss are critical for policy but have come at the expense of long‐term, multidirectional analyses of land cover change. This is a critical gap given (i) profound reconfigurations in land use and land control over the past several decades and (ii) evidence of widespread ‘woodland resurgence’ throughout the tropics. In this study, we argue that recent advancements within the field of land change science provide new opportunities to address this gap. In turn, we suggest that multidecadal and multidirectional analyses of land cover change can facilitate richer social analyses of land cover change and more relevant conservation policies and practice. Our argument is grounded in a case study from Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Using a novel analytical platform, Google Earth Engine, and open access to high‐quality Landsat data, we map land cover change in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, from 1972 to 2014. We find that tree cover loss constitutes the single largest net change over the period 1972–2014 but that gross rates of tree cover gain were three times higher than gross loss rates from 1972 to 1995 and equivalent to loss rates from 1995 to 2014. We suggest the smallholder tree crop economy likely produced both forest loss and Imperata grassland restoration in this region. This case points to the need to expand rather than collapse the baselines used to study carbon and biodiversity change in tropical regions. It also demonstrates the possible utility of applying such methods to other regions.
The October 2008 Nový Kostel earthquake swarm and its gas geochemical precursor
Authors: Weinlich F. H. , Gaždová R. , Teschner M. , Poggenburg J. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractA gas geochemical precursor anomaly was identified prior to the October 2008 Nový Kostel (Czech Republic) earthquake swarm with a peak magnitude ML of 3.8. This anomaly was observed as a deviation of CO2 concentrations from the long‐term annual CO2 concentration trend in the gas extracted from the scree at the Nový Kostel and Oldřišská gas monitoring stations, which are directly above the Plesná valley‐Počátky and Mariánské Lázně fault systems. Both sites are located within the major focal zone of the NW Bohemian swarm earthquake region at the northern edge of the Cheb Basin. A decrease in CO2 concentration started at Nový Kostel in September 2008, 17 days before the swarm, opposite to the usually increasing annual trend in the autumn period, and ended with a nearly coseismic drop immediately prior to the onset of the first swarm. The CO2 concentrations at Oldřišská, deviating from the annual trend, did not further increase after August 2008. The calculated horizontal strain field, based on the data of two permanent Global Navigation Satellite Systems stations, proved there was horizontal compression in this period. The increasing compression along the Plesná valley‐Počátky and Mariánské Lázně fault systems during the stress build‐up reduced the fault permeability prior to this earthquake swarm as indicated by the decrease in CO2 concentration. The 17‐day duration of the earthquake precursor at Nový Kostel and about 65 days at Oldřišská lie within the range of the precursor times that are hypothesized worldwide for an ML = 3.8 earthquake. The nature of earthquake precursors and their origin are discussed, for example, as an indication of changed fault permeability by stress build‐up in the case of the Nový Kostel swarm earthquake precursor or as fault opening in other cases.
Sensitization and cross‐reactions of dermatophyte and Candida albicans allergens in patients with chronic urticaria
Authors: Zhang Min , Liu Fang , Liu Haibo , Shen Yongnian , Kong Qingtao , Sang Hong 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundChronic fungal infections are known to exacerbate allergic symptoms, including those of asthma and chronic urticaria (CU). We applied four prepared fungal antigens of Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, and Candida albicans to examine sensitization to each in subjects with CU and onychomycosis and in healthy subjects, and to evaluate the etiologic role of dermatophytic infection in CU and observe any cross‐reactions among these four antigens.MethodsParticipants were divided into four groups, including those with CU with onychomycosis (experiment group), those with onychomycosis without allergic diseases (control group 1), those with CU without fungal infections (control group 2), and a healthy group (control group 3). In all subjects, skin prick tests with the four fungal antigens were performed. Subjects in the experiment group and control group 1 were also submitted to mycologic investigations.ResultsThe experiment group showed significantly higher rates of positivity than the three control groups to T. rubrum, E. floccosum, and T. mentagrophytes antigens. Control group 1 showed rates higher than those in control groups 2 and 3; no significant difference emerged between control groups 2 and 3. Positivity to the C. albicans antigen did not differ among the four groups. In control group 1, rates of positivity to the three dermatophytic antigens did not differ significantly but did for C. albicans.ConclusionsFungal infection seems to be an important determinant of trichophyton hypersensitivity. Cross‐reactions among T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, and E. floccosum antigens were obvious, but none emerged between the antigens of the three dermatophytes and that of C. albicans.
Observational retrospective study evaluating the effects of oral isotretinoin in keloids and hypertrophic scars
Authors: Guadanhim Lilia R. S. , Gonçalves Rubens G. , Bagatin Ediléia 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundAcne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by non‐inflammatory and inflammatory lesions that can cause scarring. Oral isotretinoin is the current recommended treatment for moderate and severe cases; however, there are reports of possible influences on the healing process of the skin, leading to an increase in the risk for hypertrophic scars and keloids. This hypothesis, although unproven, represents a contraindication to the treatment of acne scars during the 6–12 months after the cessation of isotretinoin.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalences of hypertrophic scars and keloids in acne patients treated with oral isotretinoin.MethodsThree data collection strategies were used: (i) clinical examination of patients with acne vulgaris, exposed or unexposed to oral isotretinoin, focusing on the occurrence of hypertrophic scars and/or keloids; (ii) telephone interviews of patients using oral isotretinoin to treat acne vulgaris on the occurrence or worsening of keloids; and (iii) clinical examination of patients with previous use of oral isotretinoin followed at a specific keloid treatment clinic.ResultsThe resulting data showed no differences in wound healing.ConclusionsThese findings may indicate that the occurrence of hypertrophic scars or keloids in patients using oral isotretinoin is an undesirable event arising from an individual response and may be related to inflammatory acne evolution.
Clinical and pathologic parameters predicting recurrence of facial basal cell carcinoma: a retrospective audit in an advanced care center
Authors: Troeltzsch Matthias , Probst Florian A. , Knösel Thomas , Mast Gerson , Ehrenfeld Michael , Otto Sven 
Published: July 2016

AbstractObjectivesThis study was designed to investigate the associations between clinical, pathologic, and therapeutic parameters of facial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and recurrence rates in patients treated at an advanced care center.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed. Patients who presented to an advanced care center within a 6‐year period with facial BCC and who received surgical treatment were included for further review according to predefined inclusion criteria. The predictor variable was defined as “negative‐margin (R0) resection after the first surgery”. The primary outcome variable was defined as “BCC recurrence”. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05.ResultsA total of 71 patients (29 female, 42 male; average age: 71.76 years) were found to meet all of the study inclusion criteria. All BCCs had been referred, and 50.7% had been submitted to previous surgery. The mean ± standard deviation tumor diameter was 2.3 ± 1.8 cm. Recurrence of BCC was observed in 11 patients (15.5%). Large tumor diameters, increased patient age, and failure to achieve R0 resection at the first surgical appointment significantly increased recurrence rates.ConclusionsComplete facial BCC excision at the first surgical appointment is pivotal in reducing the likelihood of recurrence. The influence of the anatomic location of facial BCC on recurrence rates may be limited.
Accuracy and confidence in the clinical diagnosis of basal cell cancer using dermoscopy and reflex confocal microscopy
Authors: Nelson Steven A. , Scope Alon , Rishpon Ayelet , Rabinovitz Harold S. , Oliviero Margaret C. , Laman Susan D. , Cole Christine M. , Chang Yu‐Hui H. , Swanson David L. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundDiagnosis of suspected basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is typically confirmed with incisional biopsy before referral to final surgery.ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical confidence and accuracy of physicians making a diagnosis of BCC based on dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) features.MethodsThis study was designed as a simulation to determine the certainty and willingness to refer to surgery without previous biopsy confirmation of BCC. Study subjects were identified with suspected BCC. Dermoscopic and RCM lesion images were obtained before biopsy. Eight clinicians with various expertise levels blindly interpreted these images and chose among four hypothetical treatment options: definite BCC, refer directly to surgery without biopsy; other malignancy, perform biopsy for diagnosis; uncertain diagnosis, perform biopsy; benign, do not biopsy. Decisions for treatment were based on dermoscopic images alone and, subsequently, on dermoscopic and RCM images combined.ResultsThe sensitivity for referral to surgery without biopsy was 67.6% with the use of dermoscopy; the positive predictive value (PPV) was 97.0%. Adding RCM increased the sensitivity to 76.5% and the PPV to 98.6%.ConclusionsDermoscopy provides a high PPV for BCC. The addition of RCM to dermoscopy increases diagnostic sensitivity, particularly in less experienced dermoscopists. Physician behavior might be different if actual referrals were made for surgery without biopsy.
Psoriasis and obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Shalom Guy , Dreiher Jacob , Cohen Arnon 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that is associated with the metabolic syndrome and its components. An association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the metabolic syndrome was previously observed.ObjectivesTo investigate the association between psoriasis and OSA in a comprehensive community‐based database.Materials and methodsThe study was performed utilizing the medical database of Clalit Health Services. Patients with psoriasis were compared to controls regarding the prevalence of OSA in a case–control study. A logistic multivariate model was used to control for independent covariates.ResultsThe study included 12,336 patients with psoriasis ≥21 years and 24,008 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. The prevalence of OSA in patients with psoriasis was increased compared to the control group (2.7%, 1.5%, respectively, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, and peptic disease demonstrated a significant association between psoriasis and OSA (odds ratio = 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.08–1.49, P < 0.001).ConclusionWe found an association between psoriasis and OSA among a large cohort of patients with psoriasis. Clinicians should take into account that patients with psoriasis may have undiagnosed OSA.
Insignificant role of bacillus Calmette–Guérin maintenance therapy after complete transurethral resection of bladder tumor for intermediate‐ and high‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: Results from a randomized trial
Authors: Nakai Yasushi , Anai Satoshi , Tanaka Nobumichi , Chihara Yoshitomo , Haramoto Masaki , Otani Takeshi , Nakagawa Yoshinori , Hirao Yoshihiko , Konishi Noboru , Fujimoto Kiyohide 
Published: July 2016

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of bacillus Calmette–Guérin maintenance therapy on patients with intermediate‐ and high‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer receiving aggressive complete transurethral resection of bladder tumors standardized by well‐trained surgeons.MethodsA total of 95 patients were prospectively enrolled. Patients were diagnosed with multiple or recurrent non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (Ta and T1), or with carcinoma in situ after complete transurethral resection of bladder tumors. Patients with Ta or T1 tumors without carcinoma in situ received six bacillus Calmette–Guérin instillations as induction therapy. Those with carcinoma in situ underwent eight bacillus Calmette–Guérin instillations as induction therapy. The patients were randomized into maintenance and non‐maintenance groups. The maintenance group received intravesical bacillus Calmette–Guérin instillations once a week for 3 weeks at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after bacillus Calmette–Guérin instillation. The primary end‐point was recurrence‐free survival.ResultsA total of 88 patients were evaluated. The average follow‐up period was 48.3 ± 19.0 months. Five‐year recurrence‐free survival rates for the maintenance and non‐maintenance groups were 80.1% and 79.3%, respectively. Five‐year progression‐free survival rates of the maintenance and non‐maintenance groups were 92.4% and 85.3%, respectively. Recurrence‐ and progression‐free survival rates did not significantly increase in the maintenance group compared with that in the non‐maintenance group.ConclusionsBacillus Calmette–Guérin maintenance therapy did not improve recurrence‐ and progression‐free survival rates after the initial complete transurethral resection of bladder tumors compared with that after bacillus Calmette–Guérin induction therapy alone.
Caring presence in practice: facilitating an appreciative discourse in nursing
Authors: du Plessis E. 
Published: July 2016

AimTo report on an appreciation of caring presence practised by nurses in South Africa in order to facilitate an appreciative discourse in nursing and a return to caring values and attitudes.BackgroundAppreciative reports on caring presence are often overlooked. Media may provide a platform for facilitating appreciation for caring presence practised by nurses. Such an appreciation may foster further practice of caring presence and re‐ignite a caring ethos in nursing.IntroductionThis article provides an appreciative discourse on caring presence in nursing in the form of examples of caring presence practised by nurses.MethodAn anecdotal approach was followed. Social media, namely narratives on caring presence shared by nurses on a Facebook page, and formal media, namely news reports in which nurses are appreciated for their efforts, were used. Deductive content analysis was applied to analyse the narratives and news reports in relation to a definition of caring presence and types of caring presence.FindingsThe analysis of the narratives and news reports resulted in an appreciative discourse in which examples of nurses practising caring presence could be provided.DiscussionExamples of nurses practising caring presence could be found, and an appreciative discourse could be initiated.Conclusion and implications for nursing policyAppreciation ignites positive action and ownership of high‐quality health care. Leadership should thus cultivate a culture of appreciating nurses, through using media, and encourage nurses to share how caring presence impact on quality in health care.
Regulatory mechanisms of TGF‐β1‐induced fibrogenesis of human alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Shi Lin , Dong Nian , Fang Xiaocong , Wang Xiangdong 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPulmonary fibrosis is characterized by an extensive activation of fibrogenic cells and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, probably through the epithelial‐ to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and ECM production. The present study investigates potential mechanism by which TGF‐β1 induces EMT and ECM production in the fibrogenesis of human lung epithelial cells during pulmonary fibrosis. The expression of EMT phenotype and other proteins relevant to fibrogenesis were measured and the cell bio‐behaviours were assessed using Cell‐IQ Alive Image Monitoring System. We found that TGF‐β1‐induced EMT was accompanied with increased collagen I deposition, which may be involved in the regulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) signalling pathway. Treatment with PI3K inhibitors significantly attenuated the TGF‐β1‐ induced EMT, CTGF expression and collagen I synthesis in lung epithelial cells. The interference of CTGF expression impaired the basal and TGF‐β1‐stimulated collagen I deposition, but did not affect the process of EMT. Our data indicate that the signal pathway of TGF‐β1/PI3K/CTGF plays an important role in the fibrogenesis of human lung epithelial cells, which may be a novel therapeutic approach to prevent and treat pulmonary fibrosis.
The lncRNA MALAT1 functions as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate MCL‐1 expression by sponging miR‐363‐3p in gallbladder cancer
Authors: Wang Shou‐Hua , Zhang Wen‐Jie , Wu Xiao‐Cai , Weng Ming‐Zhe , Zhang Ming‐Di , Cai Qiang , Zhou Di , Wang Jian‐Dong , Quan Zhi‐Wei 
Published: July 2016

AbstractGallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is an aggressive neoplasm, and the treatment options for advanced GBC are limited. Recently, long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as new gene regulators and prognostic markers in several cancers. In this study, we found that metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) expression was up‐regulated in GBC tissues (P < 0.05). Luciferase reporter assays and RNA pull down assays showed that MALAT1 is a target of miR‐363‐3p. Real‐time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis indicated that MALAT1 regulated Myeloid cell leukaemia‐1 (MCL‐1) expression as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR‐363‐3p in GBC cells. Furthermore, MALAT1 silencing decreased GBC cell proliferation and the S phase cell population and induced apoptosis in vitro. In vivo, tumour volumes were significantly decreased in the MALAT1 silencing group compared with those in the control group. These data demonstrated that the MALAT1/miR‐363‐3p/MCL‐1 regulatory pathway controls the progression of GBC. Inhibition of MALAT1 expression may be to a novel therapeutic strategy for gallbladder cancer.