bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Legionella thermalis sp. nov., isolated from hot spring water in Tokyo, Japan
Authors: Ishizaki Naoto , Sogawa Kazuyuki , Inoue Hiroaki , Agata Kunio , Edagawa Akiko , Miyamoto Hiroshi , Fukuyama Masafumi , Furuhata Katsunori 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTStrain L‐47T of a novel bacterial species belonging to the genus Legionella was isolated from a sample of hot spring water from Tokyo, Japan. The 16S rRNA gene sequences (1477 bp) of this strain (accession number AB899895) had less than 95.0% identity with other Legionella species. The dominant fatty acids of strain L‐47T were a15:0 (29.6%) and the major ubiquinone was Q‐12 (71.1%). It had a guanine‐plus‐cytosine content of 41.5 mol%. The taxonomic description of Legionella thermalis sp. nov. is proposed to be type strain L‐47T (JCM 30970T = KCTC 42799T).
Phytochemical traits underlie genotypic variation in susceptibility of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) to browsing by a keystone forest ungulate
Authors: Holeski Liza M. , McKenzie Sean C. , Kruger Eric L. , Couture John J. , Rubert‐Nason Kennedy , Lindroth Richard L. 
Published: February 2016

Summary

Overbrowsing by ungulates is a major cause of poor aspen stand regeneration across North America and Eurasia. In general, factors driving ungulate browser preferences include concentrations of plant secondary compounds and the nutritional composition (non‐structural carbohydrates, protein and minerals) of foliage. While each of these phytochemical factors has been shown to independently influence ungulate preference, the relative impact of each factor is unknown, as no study to date has examined them simultaneously.

Plant fitness depends not only on the capacity of plants to resist browsing, but also on their capacity to tolerate browsing once it has occurred. Little is known of aspen tolerance to browsing, which inflicts a different form of damage than insect herbivory.

We employed multiple aspen genotypes, replicate trees of which were subjected to different soil nutrient treatments, to investigate: (i) the effects of aspen genotype, nutrient treatment and genotype × nutrient interactions on susceptibility to browsing by white‐tailed deer, (ii) the phytochemical basis for the patterns observed in (i), and (iii) the effects of genotype, soil nutrients and their interaction on short‐term tolerance to deer browsing.

Aspen genotypes varied markedly in their vernal susceptibility to deer browsing. Genetic variation in early season levels of non‐structural carbohydrates (sugars), protein and multiple macro‐ and trace minerals had the strongest influence on tree susceptibility to browsing. In contrast, levels of phytochemical defences had minimal effects, although the range of levels expressed in this study was small. Soil nutrient availability did not significantly influence deer preference.

The extent of browsing affected post‐browse tolerance across genotypes. Soil nutrient treatment had little differential effect on tolerance, and, for the most part, genotypes did not display differential tolerance to browsing, regardless of which soil nutrient treatment they experienced.

Synthesis. Genetic variation for susceptibility to browsing indicates that ungulate browsers have the potential to be agents of selection in aspen populations. In contrast with previous studies in aspen highlighting the importance of phytochemical defences in shaping preferences of browsing mammals, our results indicate that the nutritional composition of foliage (sugars, protein and mineral concentrations) can have sizable effects on preference. The observed lack of influence of soil nutrient availability on tree browsing tolerance contrasts with predictions of the limiting resource model, the prevailing model for plant tolerance.
Hope is a four‐letter word: riding the emotional rollercoaster of illness management
Authors: Nowakowski Alexandra C.H. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn this autoethnography, I explore the process and emotional experience of trying a new drug to improve my quality of life. In so doing, I synthesise personal history with extant research on chronic illness by analysing ways in which my experiences reflect and reject social norms. I also incorporate perspectives from research on aspirations and attainment, and the mental health consequences of cyclical disappointment. By weaving together lessons from each of these literatures, I articulate an integrative psychosocial understanding of the micro‐level processes and experiences involved in illness management as well as the ways that experiences of illness management may require integration of varied sociological insights concerning health. In closing, I draw out theoretical implications for understanding the integration and variation of insights from many areas of health research in the lived experiences of people with chronic conditions. A Virtual Abstract of this article can be seen at:
https://youtu.be/5aoaWGItDgM
Analogical Levelling and Optimisation: The Treatment of Pointless Lexical Allomorphy in Greek
Authors: Sims‐Williams Helen 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAncient Greek verbal morphology involved extensive allomorphy of lexical morphemes, most of which was phonologically and semantically arbitrary, lexically idiosyncratic, and functionally redundant. In the subsequent history of the language this allomorphy was reduced, partly through analogical levelling, where an allomorphic alternation is eliminated in favour of a single phonological expression of underlying meaning. This kind of reduction of arbitrary complexity is often observed in the development of morphological systems, which has inspired a common view of morphological change as being guided by universal preferences, which nudge morphological systems along paths which will lead them to a more optimal status. This paper uses some systematic empirical data from the history of Greek to put to the test two questions about analogical levelling and the role of ‘optimisation’. Firstly, is levelling motivated by a universal preference for a one‐to‐one alignment of meaning and form in language? Secondly, is the direction of levelling determined by universal preferences for particular ways of marking morphosyntactic distinctions? I will argue that the answer to both questions is no: the changes in the Greek data I have examined are remarkably well predicted by language‐specific, formal properties of paradigms, without the need to invoke universal preferences. These facts are best accommodated if speaker competence includes detailed probabilistic information about the predictive structure of paradigms, which has important implications for morphological theory, as well as historical linguistics.
‘Wrightsonian Incorporation’ and the Public Rhetoric of Mid‐Tudor England
Authors: Hoyle Richard 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis article introduces the idea of ‘Wrightsonian incorporation’ in the later sixteenth century to a wider audience. A number of scholars have taken Wrightson's original idea, that village society split in the later sixteenth century as the ‘yeomen’ were incorporated into the state as officeholders, and elaborated upon it, particularly using it to explain why a late medieval tradition of rebellion should have ended in 1549. A number of reasons are offered as to why we should not readily accept the idea, but it is then shown how the public rhetoric of the period was deeply hostile to all forms of collective action, which it defined as rebellion. It is suggested that this context was as important as ‘incorporation’ in the sense that Wrightson and others have used it in changing the attitudes of the yeomen in the village by closing off options for political expression and activity.
The Fiscal Decentralisation and Economic Growth Nexus Revisited
Authors: Ligthart Jenny E. , van Oudheusden Peter 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis paper addresses two challenges that the fiscal decentralisation and economic growth nexus faces – namely, endogeneity problems and inaccurate measurement of fiscal decentralisation. We introduce novel instrumental variables based on common legal system origin, common federal system, geographical position and relative country size. The positive relationship between fiscal decentralisation and economic growth that we find remains valid when using these instrumental variables. Using fiscal decentralisation measures that better reflect the autonomy of subnational governments changes this relationship. This finding, however, is the result of the accompanying changes in the sample rather than the use of these alternative measures themselves.
A randomized, 5‐arm dose finding study with a mite allergoid SCIT in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients
Authors: Pfaar O. , Nell M. J. , Boot J. D. , Versteeg S. A. , van Ree R. , Roger A. , Riechelmann H. , Sperl A. , Oude Elberink J. N. G. , Diamant Z. , Bachert C. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe safety and tolerability of a mite allergoid subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) product was previously established. The aim of this study (EudraCT number: 2011–000393–61) was to find the optimally safe and effective allergoid dose by evaluating several dosages in patients with house dust mite (HDM)‐induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) using a titrated nasal provocation test (TNPT).MethodsIn total, 290 adult ARC patients (148 females; 142 males) with established HDM allergy and with a positive TNPT were randomized to receive placebo or mite allergoid SCIT 6667, 20 000, 50 000 or 100 000 AUeq/ml for 12 months. Patients were updosed weekly, followed by monthly maintenance dosing. The primary study endpoint comprised the clinical response to TNPT after 12 months of treatment. Secondary endpoints included response to TNPT after 6 months, PNIF measurements, symptom and medication scores during the last 8 weeks of treatment, serum immunoglobulins and safety assessments.ResultsAfter 12 months, a dose–response was observed showing statistically significant improvements in the TNPT with SCIT concentrations of ≥20 000 AUeq/ml, while no significantly different outcomes were reached after 6 months. Specific serum IgG and IgG4 levels were dose dependently increased. In the highest dose group, more treatment‐emergent adverse events were observed compared with the lower dose groups.ConclusionIn this mite allergoid SCIT dose finding study in HDM‐induced ARC, concentrations of ≥20 000 AUeq/ml showed both immunological effects and clinical efficacy in the TNPT compared with placebo. The risk–benefit ratio favours 20 000 AUeq/ml and 50 000 AUeq/ml strengths for further clinical development.
Validity of a selection of pregnancy complications in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway
Authors: Moth Fredrikke N. , Sebastian Tharani R. , Horn Julie , Rich‐Edwards Janet , Romundstad Pål R. , Åsvold Bjørn O. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIntroductionThe validity of information on pregnancy complications in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN) is insufficiently studied. The objective was to examine the validity of information on gestational age, birthweight, medically initiated delivery, and gestational hypertension in the MBRN.Material and methodsWe randomly sampled MBRN records among women who participated in the population‐based HUNT Study in Nord‐Trøndelag county and who gave birth during 1967–2012. We estimated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value of information in the MBRN, using hospital records as the reference standard.ResultsHospital records were available for 786 out of 797 sampled MBRN records. The PPVs of preterm (<37 weeks of gestation) and early preterm birth (<34 weeks of gestation) were approximately 90%, and the PPVs of low (<2500 g) and high (>4500 g) birthweight were 100%. For medically initiated delivery, the PPV was 28% during 1967–85, but 80% during 1986–2012 and higher among preterm (76%) than among term (51%) births. For gestational hypertension, the PPV was 68%, but 88% of women labeled with gestational hypertension in the MBRN had evidence of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia in hospital records.ConclusionsThe validity of information on gestational age and birthweight in the MBRN was very good. For medically initiated delivery, the validity was poor before 1985 and satisfactory thereafter. For gestational hypertension, lack of information in hospital records made the evaluation difficult, but our results suggest that most women labeled with gestational hypertension in the MBRN did have a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.
Cumulative drought and land‐use impacts on perennial vegetation across a North American dryland region
Authors: Munson Seth M. , Long A. Lexine , Wallace Cynthia S.A. , Webb Robert H. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractQuestionThe decline and loss of perennial vegetation in dryland ecosystems due to global change pressures can alter ecosystem properties and initiate land degradation processes. We tracked changes of perennial vegetation using remote sensing to address the question of how prolonged drought and land‐use intensification have affected perennial vegetation cover across a desert region in the early 21st century?LocationMojave Desert, southeastern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, USA.MethodsWe coupled the Moderate‐Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Enhanced Vegetation Index (MODIS‐EVI) with ground‐based measurements of perennial vegetation cover taken in about 2000 and about 2010. Using the difference between these years, we determined perennial vegetation changes in the early 21st century and related these shifts to climate, soil and landscape properties, and patterns of land use.ResultsWe found a good fit between MODIS‐EVI and perennial vegetation cover (2000: R2 = 0.83 and 2010: R2 = 0.74). The southwestern, far southeastern and central Mojave Desert had large declines in perennial vegetation cover in the early 21st century, while the northeastern and southeastern portions of the desert had increases. These changes were explained by 10‐yr precipitation anomalies, particularly in the cool season and during extreme dry or wet years. Areas heavily impacted by visitor use or wildfire lost perennial vegetation cover, and vegetation in protected areas increased to a greater degree than in unprotected areas.ConclusionsWe find that we can extrapolate previously documented declines of perennial plant cover to an entire desert, and demonstrate that prolonged water shortages coupled with land‐use intensification create identifiable patterns of vegetation change in dryland regions.
The Role of Nitric Oxide and Hydrogen Sulfide in Urinary Tract Function
Authors: Fernandes Vítor S. , Hernández Medardo 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis MiniReview focuses on the role played by nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in physiology of the upper and lower urinary tract. NO and H2S, together with carbon monoxide, belong to the group of gaseous autocrine/paracrine messengers or gasotransmitters, which are employed for intra‐ and intercellular communication in almost all organ systems. Because they are lipid‐soluble gases, gaseous transmitters are not constrained by cellular membranes, so that their storage in vesicles for later release is not possible. Gasotransmitter signals are terminated by falling concentrations upon reduction in production that are caused by reacting with cellular components (essentially reactive oxygen species and NO), binding to cellular components or diffusing away. NO and, more recently, H2S have been identified as key mediators in neurotransmission of the urinary tract, involved in the regulation of ureteral smooth muscle activity and urinary flow ureteral resistance, as well as by playing a crucial role in the smooth muscle relaxation of bladder outlet region. Urinary bladder function is also dependent on integration of inhibitory mediators, such as NO, released from the urothelium. In the bladder base and distal ureter, the co‐localization of neuronal NO synthase with substance P and calcitonin gene‐related peptide in sensory nerves as well as the existence of a high nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate‐diaphorase activity in dorsal root ganglion neurons also suggests the involvement of NO as a sensory neurotransmitter.
Oncological and functional outcomes 1 year after radical prostatectomy for very‐low‐risk prostate cancer: results from the prospective LAPPRO trial
Authors: Carlsson Stefan , Jäderling Fredrik , Wallerstedt Anna , Nyberg Tommy , Stranne Johan , Thorsteinsdottir Thordis , Carlsson Sigrid V. , Bjartell Anders , Hugosson Jonas , Haglind Eva , Steineck Gunnar 
Published: February 2016

ObjectivesTo analyse oncological and functional outcomes 12 months after treatment of very‐low‐risk prostate cancer with radical prostatectomy in men who could have been candidates for active surveillance.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a prospective study of all men with very‐low‐risk prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy at one of 14 participating centres. Validated patient questionnaires were collected at baseline and after 12 months by independent healthcare researchers. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) was defined as prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) ≥0.25 ng/mL or treatment with salvage radiotherapy or with hormones. Urinary continence was defined as <1 pad changed per 24 h. Erectile function was defined as ability to achieve erection hard enough for penetration more than half of the time after sexual stimulation. Changes in tumour grade and stage were obtained from pathology reports. We report descriptive frequencies and proportions of men who had each outcome in various subgroups. Fisher's exact test was used to assess differences between the age groups.ResultsOf the 4003 men in the LAPPRO cohort, 338 men fulfilled the preoperative national criteria for very‐low‐risk prostate cancer. Adverse pathology outcomes included upgrading, defined as pT3 or postoperative Gleason sum ≥7, which was present in 35% of the men (115/333) and positive surgical margins, which were present in 16% of the men (54/329). Only 2.1% of the men (7/329) had a PSA concentration >0.1 ng/mL 6–12 weeks postoperatively. Erectile function and urinary continence were observed in 44% (98/222) and 84% of the men (264/315), respectively, 12 months postoperatively. The proportion of men achieving the trifecta, defined as preoperative potent and continent men who remained potent and continent with no BCR, was 38% (84/221 men) at 12 months.ConclusionsOur prospective study of men with very‐low‐risk prostate cancer undergoing open or robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy showed that there were favourable oncological outcomes in approximately two‐thirds. Approximately 40% did not have surgically induced urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction 12 months postoperatively. These results provide additional support for the use of active surveillance in men with very‐low‐risk prostate cancer; however, the number of men with risk of upgrading and upstaging is not negligible. Improved stratification is still urgently needed.
Integrated care for Down syndrome
Authors: Lee Ni‐Chung , Chien Yin‐Hsiu , Hwu Wuh‐Liang 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDown syndrome (DS), caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21), is the most intensively studied human aneuploidy condition. It is the leading cause of intellectual disability and birth defects. Although most prenatally diagnosed DS fetuses are aborted in Taiwan, there are still some infants with DS who are diagnosed after birth. In addition to intellectual disability, people with DS face systemic problems that include short stature, dysmorphism, congenital heart disease, congenital anomalies of gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, abnormal endocrine function, leukemia and leukemoid reactions. To provide better care for people with DS in Taiwan, we began the DS multi‐disciplinary clinic that has opened once per month since November 2013. The multi‐disciplinary clinic consists of several subspecialists who provide care for DS people. To date, approximately 200 patients have used the clinic. The average number of patients who use the clinic per month is 27±6 with a mean patient age of 16±12 years old (range 0.3–53 years). The average number of patients per specialist on each clinic day is 5.2±4.9 (range 0.5–20.9 patients). We focus on early detection and prevention of medical and developmental issues associated with DS. This coordinated approach allows DS patients and family to have more comprehensive care.
Horizontal mucosal thickness at implant sites as it correlates with the integrity and thickness of the buccal bone plate
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Sager Martin , Golubovic Vladimir , Iglhaut Gerhard , Becker Kathrin 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectivesTo histologically assess the association between the horizontal mucosal thickness (MT) at implant sites with the integrity and thickness of the buccal bone plate in a canine model.Materials and methodsTwo‐piece titanium implants were placed at chronic‐type lateral ridge defects. The resulting vestibular dehiscence‐type defects (vertical dimensions of 2–8 mm) were left untreated. After a submerged healing period of 2 and 8 weeks (n = 6 fox hounds each), dissected blocks were processed for histomorphometrical analyses [e.g.MT, bone thickness (BT) and residual defect length].ResultsLinear regression revealed significant associations between vestibularMTandBTvalues after 2 (R2 = 0.22,B = −0.37,P < 0.0001) and 8 weeks (R2 = 0.37,B = −0.45,P < 0.001) of healing.ConclusionThe present analysis has pointed to an inverse relationship between horizontalMTandBTvalues at the vestibular aspect of submerged titanium implants.MTwas most pronounced in the absence of a buccal bone plate.
Peri‐implant bone adaptations to overloading in rat tibiae: experimental investigations and numerical predictions
Authors: Piccinini Marco , Cugnoni Joel , Botsis John , Ammann Patrick , Wiskott Anselm 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectives(i) To assess the effects of mechanical overloading on implant integration in rat tibiae, and (ii) to numerically predict peri‐implant bone adaptation.Materials and methodsTranscutaneous titanium implants were simultaneously placed into both tibiae of rats (n = 40). After 2 weeks of integration, the implants of the right tibiae were stimulated daily for 4 weeks with loads up to 5N (corresponding to peak equivalent strains of 3300 ± 500 με). The effects of stimulation were assessed by ex vivo mechanical tests and quantification of bone mineral density (BMD) in selected regions of interests (ROIs). Specimen‐specific finite element models were generated and processed through an iterative algorithm to mimic bone adaptation.ResultsBilateral implantation provoked an unstable integration that worsened when mild (2–4N) external loads were applied. In contrast, a stimulation at 5N tended to “counterbalance” the harmful effects of daily activity and, if applied to well‐integrated specimens, significantly augmented the implants' resistance to failure (force: +73% P < 0.01, displacement: +50% P < 0.01 and energy: +153% P < 0.01). Specimen‐specific numerical predictions were in close agreement with the experimental findings. Both local and overall BMD variations, as well as the implants' lateral stability, were predicted with small errors (0.14 gHA/cm3 and 0.64%, respectively).ConclusionsThe rats' daily activity detrimentally affects implant integration. Conversely, external stimulations of large magnitudes counterbalance this effect and definitively improve integration. These changes can be predicted using the proposed numerical approach.