bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term outcome after a treosulfan‐based conditioning regimen for patients with acute myeloid leukemia: A report from the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Authors: Nagler Arnon , Labopin Myriam , Beelen Dietrich , Ciceri Fabio , Volin Liisa , Shimoni Avichai , Foá Roberto , Milpied Noel , Peccatori Jacopo , Polge Emmanuelle , Mailhol Audrey , Mohty Mohamad , Savani Bipin N. 
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUNDAllogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a curative therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, post‐HCT relapse and regimen‐related toxicity remain significant barriers to long‐term survival. In recent years, new conditioning regimens have been explored to improve transplantation outcomes in patients with AML. Treosulfan combines a potent immunosuppressive and antileukemic effect with a low toxicity profile.METHODSTo investigate the role of treosulfan‐based conditioning, the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Acute Leukemia Working Party performed a registry analysis of 520 adult patients with AML who received treosulfan‐based conditioning and underwent HCT between 2000 and 2012, including 225 patients in first complete remission, 107 in second or later complete remission, and 188 with active/advanced disease 188 (88 with primary refractory disease). The median patient age was 57 years (range, 20‐73 years). Donors were human leukocyte antigen‐identical siblings (n = 187), unrelated donors (n = 235), or mismatched related donors (n = 98). Conditioning regimens included treosulfan (42 g/m2 [n = 396], 36 g/m2 [n = 109], or 30 g/ m2 [n = 15]) with fludarabine or alkylating agents followed by infusion of hematopoietic stem cells (bone marrow, n = 52; peripheral blood, n = 468).RESULTSAt a median follow‐up of 61 months, the 5‐year overall survival, leukemia‐free survival, relapse incidence, and nonrelapse mortality rates were 38%, 33%, 42%, and 25%, respectively. The incidence of grade II‐IV acute and chronic graft‐versus‐host disease was 24% (grade III‐V, 11%) and 38%, respectively. Only 11 patients (2%) developed veno‐occlusive disease, with two deaths (0.4%) from veno‐occlusive disease.CONCLUSIONSTreosulfan‐based conditioning regimens provide an acceptable long‐term survival with favorable nonrelapse mortality and a very low risk of veno‐occlusive disease. Further studies are needed to optimize the treosulfan‐based conditioning regimen for patients with AML. Cancer 2017;123:2671‐79. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Genetic evidence challenges the native status of a threatened freshwater fish (Carassius carassius) in England
Authors: Jeffries Daniel L. , Copp Gordon H. , Maes Gregory E. , Lawson Handley Lori , Sayer Carl D. , Hänfling Bernd 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA fundamental consideration for the conservation of a species is the extent of its native range, that is, regions naturally colonized. However, both natural processes and human‐mediated introductions can drive species distribution shifts. Ruling out the human‐mediated introduction of a species into a given region is vital for its conservation, but remains a significant challenge in most cases. The crucian carp Carassius carassius (L.) is a threatened freshwater fish thought to be native to much of Europe. However, its native status in England is based only on anecdotal evidence. Here, we devise an approach that can be used to empirically test the native status of English fauna. We use this approach, along with 13 microsatellite loci, population structure analyses, and Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC), to test hypotheses for the origins of C. carassius in England. Contrary to the current consensus, we find strong support for the human‐mediated introduction of C. carassius into England during the 15th century. This result stimulates an interesting and timely debate surrounding motivations for the conservation of species. We discuss this topic, and the potential for continued conservation of C. carassius in England, despite its non‐native origins.
A novel method for estimating the strength of positive mating preference by similarity in the wild
Authors: Fernández‐Meirama Mónica , Estévez Daniel , Ng Terence P. T. , Williams Gray A. , Carvajal‐Rodríguez Antonio , Rolán‐Alvarez Emilio 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMating preference can be a driver of sexual selection and assortative mating and is, therefore, a key element in evolutionary dynamics. Positive mating preference by similarity is the tendency for the choosy individual to select a mate which possesses a similar variant of a trait. Such preference can be modelled using Gaussian‐like mathematical functions that describe the strength of preference, but such functions cannot be applied to empirical data collected from the field. As a result, traditionally, mating preference is indirectly estimated by the degree of assortative mating (using Pearson's correlation coefficient, r) in wild captured mating pairs. Unfortunately, r and similar coefficients are often biased due to the fact that different variants of a given trait are nonrandomly distributed in the wild, and pooling of mating pairs from such heterogeneous samples may lead to “false–positive” results, termed “the scale‐of‐choice effect” (SCE). Here we provide two new estimators of mating preference (Crough and Cscaled) derived from Gaussian‐like functions which can be applied to empirical data. Computer simulations demonstrated that r coefficient showed robust estimations properties of mating preference but it was severely affected by SCE, Crough showed reasonable estimation properties and it was little affected by SCE, while Cscaled showed the best properties at infinite sample sizes and it was not affected by SCE but failed at biological sample sizes. We recommend using Crough combined with the r coefficient to infer mating preference in future empirical studies.
Diminishing returns limit energetic costs of climate change
Authors: Levy Ofir , Borchert Jason D. , Rusch Travis W. , Buckley Lauren B. , Angilletta Michael J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractChanges in the time available for organisms to maintain physiologically preferred temperatures (thermal opportunity) is a primary mechanism by which climate change impacts the fitness and population dynamics of organisms. Yet, it is unclear whether losses or gains in thermal opportunity result in proportional changes in rates of energy procurement and use. We experimentally quantified lizard food consumption and energy assimilation at different durations of thermal opportunity. We incorporated these data in an individual‐based model of foraging and digestion in lizards to explore the implications of nonlinear responses to shifts in thermal opportunity across a wide geographic range. Our model predicts that shifts in thermal opportunities resulting from climate change alter energy intake primarily through digestion rather than feeding, because simulated lizards were able to fill their gut faster than they can digest their food. Moreover, since rates of energy assimilation decelerate with increasing thermal opportunity, shifts in daily energetic assimilation would depend on the previous opportunity for thermoregulation. In particular, the same changes in thermal opportunity will have little impact on lizards from warm locations, while having a large impact on lizards from cold locations where thermoregulation is possible for only a few hours each day. Energy expenditure followed spatial patterns in thermal opportunity, with greater annual energy expenditure occurring at warmer locations. Our model predicts that lizards will spend more energy under climate change by maintaining higher body temperatures and remaining active longer. However, the predicted changes in energy assimilation following climate change greatly exceeded the predicted increases in energy expenditure. Simple models, which assume constant rates of energy gain during activity, will potentially mislead efforts to understand and predict the biological impacts of climate change.
Development of a short form of the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire (AAQ)
Authors: Laidlaw Ken , Kishita Naoko , Shenkin Susan D. , Power Michael J. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivesThe original 24‐item Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire (AAQ) is well established as a measure of attitudes to aging, comprising domains of psychosocial loss (PL), physical change (PC), and psychological growth (PG). This paper presents a new 12‐item short form Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire (AAQ‐SF).MethodsThe original field trial data used to develop the 24‐item AAQ (AAQ‐24) were used to compare 6‐item, 9‐item, and 12‐item versions of AAQ‐SF (sample 1, n = 2487) and to test the discriminative validity of the selected 12‐item AAQ‐SF (sample 2, n = 2488). Data from a separate study reporting on the AAQ‐24 (sample 3, n = 792) verified the analyses.ResultsThe 12‐item AAQ‐SF reported adequate internal consistency in both sample 1 (PL α = .72, PC α = .72, and PG α = .62) and sample 3 (PL α = .68, PC α = .73, and PG α = .61). The AAQ‐SF functioned consistently with the profile of the AAQ‐24 in that subscales in both formats of this measure discriminate between respondents on key parameters such as depression, subjective health status, and overall quality of life in sample 2. Sample 3 also demonstrated the AAQ‐SF can detect the differences in attitudes toward aging between individuals experiencing anxiety and depression and those without psychological symptoms. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the structure of the AAQ‐SF mirrors that of the original 24‐item AAQ.ConclusionsThe AAQ‐SF is a robust measure of attitudes toward aging, which can reduce respondent burden when used within longer questionnaire batteries or longitudinal research. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum phosphate and cognitive function in older men
Authors: Slinin Yelena , Vo Tien , Taylor Brent C. , Murray Anne M. , Schousboe John , Langsetmo Lisa , Ensrud Kristine ,   for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study Group
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveDetermine whether serum phosphate is associated with concurrent cognitive impairment and subsequent cognitive decline in older men independent of demographic covariates and atherosclerotic risk factors.MethodsIn a prospective study of 5529 men enrolled in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men study, we measured baseline serum phosphate, baseline cognitive function, and change in cognitive function between baseline and follow‐up exams an average of 4.6 years later using the Modified Mini‐Mental State (3MS) Examination and Trails B.ResultsThere was no association between serum phosphate and odds of cognitive impairment as assessed by baseline 3MS score or risk of cognitive decline as assessed by longitudinal change in 3MS score. Higher baseline serum phosphate was associated with higher odds of poor executive function as assessed by Trails B with fully adjusted odds ratios 1.12 (95% confidence interval: 0.83–1.52), 1.31 (0.97–1.77), and 1.45 (1.08–1.94) for men in the second, third, and fourth versus the bottom quartile (referent group) of serum phosphate (p‐trend 0.007). However, higher phosphate level was not associated with risk of decline in executive function as assessed by longitudinal change in Trails B score with fully adjusted odds ratios 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.69–1.28), 0.96 (0.70–1.32), and 1.21 (0.89–1.66) for men in the second, third, and fourth versus the bottom quartile (referent group) of serum phosphate (p‐trend 0.22).ConclusionsHigher serum phosphate in older men was associated with a higher likelihood of poor executive function, but not with impaired global cognitive function or decline in executive or global cognition. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrical resistivity imaging of hydrologic flow through surface coal mine valley fills with comparison to other landforms
Authors: Greer Breeyn M. , Burbey Thomas J. , Zipper Carl E. , Hester Erich T. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSurface coal mining has altered land cover, near‐surface geologic structure, and hydrologic processes of large areas in central Appalachia, USA. These alterations are associated with changes in water quality such as elevated total‐dissolved solids, which is usually measured via its surrogate, specific conductance (SC). The SC of valley fill effluent streams is a function of fill construction methods, materials, and age; yet hydrologic studies that relate these variables to water quality are sparse due to the difficulty of conducting traditional hydrologic studies in mined landscapes. We used electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) to visualize the subsurface geologic structure and hydrologic flow paths within a valley fill. ERI is a noninvasive geophysical technique that maps spatiotemporal changes in resistivity of the subsurface. We paired ERI with artificial rainfall experiments to track infiltrated water as it moved through the valley fill. Results indicate that ERI can be used to identify subsurface geologic structure and track advancing wetting fronts or preferential flow paths. Our results suggest that the upper portion of the fill contains significant fines, whereas the deeper profile is primarily large rocks and void spaces. Water tended to pond on the surface of compacted areas until it reached preferential flow paths, where it appeared to infiltrate quickly down to >15 m depth in 75 min. ERI applications can improve understanding of how fill construction techniques influence subsurface water movement, and in turn may aid in the development of valley fill construction methods to reduce water quality effects.
Neferine Enhances the Antitumor Effect of Mitomycin‐C in Hela Cells Through the Activation of p38‐MAPK Pathway
Authors: Eid Wassim , Abdel‐Rehim Wafaa 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTCurrent treatment options for patients with cervical cancer are far from desirable, with cervical cancer remaining to be one of the leading causes of cancer‐related deaths; this highlights the need to formulate strategies that enhance the efficacy of available therapies. Mitomycin C (MMC) possesses antitumor effect in different cancers. However, the efficacy of MMC depends on other drugs in the combinational therapy and is often hampered by side‐effects. Neferine, a natural alkaloid, exhibits antitumor effects in various cancers. In this study, we questioned the antitumor efficacy of a combinational treatment of neferine and MMC in cervical cancer cells. We found that neferine prominently enhanced the antitumor effects of MMC; this effect was dependent on the induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, we also provide a mechanistic insight and show that the enhanced apoptosis was a result of at least in part, a sustained activation of the p38 MAPK pathway in a ROS‐dependent mechanism. Our results therefore demonstrate the potentiated antitumor effect of neferine and MMC on cervical cancer cells and may offer a potential treatment strategy for patients with cervical cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3472–3479, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simulating NaCl accumulation in a closed hydroponic crop of zucchini: Impact on macronutrient uptake, growth, yield, and photosynthesis
Authors: Neocleous Damianos , Savvas Dimitrios 
Published: March 2017

AbstractZucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) plants were grown in a closed‐loop hydroponic system and supplied with nutrient solution (NS) containing NaCl at different concentrations (0.7, 3, 5, and 7 mM). The primary aim of the study was to define the relationship between the concentration of Na+ and Cl− in the root zone solution and the respective Na+/water or Cl−/water uptake ratios (uptake concentrations, UC). A second objective was to determine the UC of macronutrients (i.e., N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) and to test whether they are influenced by the gradual increase of the root zone salinity due to progressive NaCl accumulation. Two experiments were conducted, of which one (spring crop) was used to parameterize an existing empirical model, while the second one (autumn‐winter crop) was commissioned to test the validity of the determined model parameters. Both Cl− and Na+ ions accumulated progressively in the root zone solution over time, showing a tendency to stabilize at final concentrations according to the corresponding NaCl treatment. The relationship between the Na+ and Cl− concentrations in the root zone and the Na+/water or Cl−/water uptake ratios was exponential and the model parameters successfully fitted to data from crops cultivated in different growth seasons. This model may be used to monitor Na+ and Cl− concentrations in the root environment of zucchini crops as relationships of the plant water consumption. The exposure of plants to NaCl affected the UC of N, K, Ca, and Mg, but the results for some nutrients were not consistent in both growth seasons. The measurements of plant growth characteristics (i.e., biomass, yield, fruit quality, and photosynthesis) revealed that water resources containing up to 3 mM NaCl do not cause unacceptable yield losses in zucchini crops grown in completely closed hydroponic systems.
Measuring the effects of lighting on the readability of electronic devices
Authors: Lege Ranson Paul , Hasegawa Satoshi , Ishio Hiromu , Takahashi Tatsumi , Hyodo Kei , Matsunami Shigusa , Ishii Yuki , Iwata Kohei , Kojima Takehito , Miyao Masaru 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to understand to what extent people can read e‐paper devices under various conditions of ambient illuminance that can occur indoors. In this study, 110 young to elderly subjects participated in an experiment to evaluate the effects of 14 different levels of ambient lighting on their reading from three different electronic devises and paper text. The participants were asked to undergo a timed read task and then to evaluate the readability of two eReader devices (a regular electronic display and one with a front light) in comparison with a backlit liquid crystal device and conventional paper text. The results indicated that backlit and front lit devices are easier to read at less than 200 lx and the reflective device is easier to read at levels above 500 lx.
Diatom bloom‐derived bottom water hypoxia off the Changjiang estuary, with and without typhoon influence
Authors: Wang Bin , Chen Jianfang , Jin Haiyan , Li Hongliang , Huang Daji , Cai Wei‐Jun 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDuring the summers of 2009 and 2013, seawater pH and concentrations of dissolved oxygen, inorganic carbon, and nutrients were measured off the Changjiang estuary in the East China Sea. The 2009 cruise captured the effects of Typhoon Morakot; the 2013 cruise sampled more typical conditions (no typhoon). Data from both years indicate a close correlation between high primary productivity in surface waters and hypoxia in bottom waters. Based on these observations, we developed a conceptual model to guide an exploration of processes contributing to the formation of summertime bottom hypoxia. A mixing‐model analysis of the 2009 data identified a surface diatom bloom as the major (70–80%) source of the organic carbon that decomposed and ultimately led to bottom water hypoxia. Within the Changjiang River plume, depth‐integrated net biological production in the water column was 1.8 g C m−2 d−1, indicating strong autotrophic production, which in turn led to a high respiration rate of 1.2 g C m−2 d−1 in the bottom water. During both cruises, strong surface‐to‐bottom physical and metabolic coupling was evident. In 2009, storm‐driven inputs of nutrients from elevated river discharge and strong vertical mixing helped to fuel the rapid development of a surface diatom bloom. Afterwards, stratified conditions re‐established, newly formed labile organic matter sank, and bottom water oxygen was quickly consumed to an extent that hypoxia and acidification developed. To our knowledge, the observed rate of hypoxia and acidification development (within 6 d) is the fastest yet reported for the Changjiang River plume.
Free Fatty Acid Receptor 1 (FFAR1) as an Emerging Therapeutic Target for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Recent Progress and Prevailing Challenges
Authors: Li Zheng , Xu Xue , Huang Wenlong , Qian Hai 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1/GPR40) amplifies glucose‐dependent insulin secretion; therefore, it has attracted widespread attention as a promising antidiabetic target. Current clinical proof of concept also indicates that FFAR1 agonists achieve the initially therapeutic endpoint for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without the hypoglycemic risk. Thus, many pharmaceutical companies and academic institutes are competing to develop FFAR1 agonists. However, several candidates have been discontinued in clinical trials, often without reporting the underlying reasons. Herein, we review the challenges and corresponding strategies chosen by different medicinal chemistry teams to improve the physicochemical properties, potency, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles of FFAR1 agonists, with a brief introduction to the biology and pharmacology of related targets.
Lack of small colony variants of Staphylococcus aureus from lower respiratory tract specimens
Authors: Carzino Rosemary , Hart Emily , Sutton Philip , King Louise , Ranganathan Sarath ,   on behalf of AREST CF
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundSmall‐colony variants (SCVs) of Staphylococcus aureus are associated with worse lung disease in children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), exhibit a higher resistance to antibiotics and co‐colonize more commonly with Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to the normal phenotype. The prevalence of SCVs in lower airway specimens from children with CF is largely unknown.MethodsEach visible morphotype of S. aureus was subcultured onto horse blood agar (HBA) to enable identification of SCVs.ResultsSixty‐one samples from 41 children (mean age 11.7 (SD 5.3) years) were identified with a positive S. aureus culture from lower respiratory tract specimens collected in 2014‐2015. None of the differing morphotypes isolated were identified as S. aureus SCVs.ConclusionIn a center where anti staphylococcal prophylaxis is adopted, S. aureus SCVs were not isolated from the lower airways specimens in young children with CF indicating that acquisition of small colony variant S. aureus may not be a significant clinical problem in young children with CF.
Nucleosome mobility and the regulation of gene expression: Insights from single‐molecule studies
Authors: Rudnizky Sergei , Malik Omri , Bavly Adaiah , Pnueli Lilach , Melamed Philippa , Kaplan Ariel 
Published: March 2017

AbstractNucleosomes at the promoters of genes regulate the accessibility of the transcription machinery to DNA, and function as a basic layer in the complex regulation of gene expression. Our understanding of the role of the nucleosome's spontaneous, thermally driven position changes in modulating expression is lacking. This is the result of the paucity of experimental data on these dynamics, at high‐resolution, and for DNA sequences that belong to real, transcribed genes. We have developed an assay that uses partial, reversible unzipping of nucleosomes with optical tweezers to repeatedly probe a nucleosome's position over time. Using the nucleosomes at the promoters of two model genes, Cga and Lhb, we show that the mobility of nucleosomes is modulated by the sequence of DNA and by the use of alternative histone variants, and describe how the mobility can affect transcription, at the initiation and elongation phases.