bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of prescribed burning on plant rarity in a temperate forest
Authors: Patykowski John , Holland Greg J. , Dell Matt , Wevill Tricia , Callister Kate , Bennett Andrew F. , Gibson Maria 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRare species can play important functional roles, but human‐induced changes to disturbance regimes, such as fire, can inadvertently affect these species. We examined the influence of prescribed burns on the recruitment and diversity of plant species within a temperate forest in southeastern Australia, with a focus on species that were rare prior to burning. Floristic composition was compared among plots in landscapes before and after treatment with prescribed burns differing in the extent of area burnt and season of burn (before–after, control‐impact design). Floristic surveys were conducted before burns, at the end of a decade of drought, and 3 years postburn. We quantified the effect of prescribed burns on species grouped by their frequency within the landscape before burning (common, less common, and rare) and their life‐form attributes (woody perennials, perennial herbs or geophytes, and annual herbs). Burn treatment influenced the response of rare species. In spring‐burn plots, the recruitment of rare annual herbs was promoted, differentiating this treatment from both autumn‐burn and unburnt plots. In autumn‐burn plots, richness of rare species increased across all life‐form groups, although composition remained statistically similar to control plots. Richness of rare woody perennials increased in control plots. For all other life‐form and frequency groups, the floristic composition of landscapes changed between survey years, but there was no effect of burn treatment, suggesting a likely effect of rainfall on species recruitment. A prescribed burn can increase the occurrence of rare species in a landscape, but burn characteristics can affect the promotion of different life‐form groups and thus affect functional diversity. Drought‐breaking rain likely had an overarching effect on floristic composition during our study, highlighting that weather can play a greater role in influencing recruitment and diversity in plant communities than a prescribed burn.
Genet dynamics of a regenerating dwarf bamboo population across heterogeneous light environments in a temperate forest understorey
Authors: Matsuo Ayumi , Tomimatsu Hiroshi , Sangetsu Yushin , Suyama Yoshihisa , Makita Akifumi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDespite the advantage of plant clonality in patchy environments, studies focusing on genet demography in relation to spatially heterogeneous environments remain scarce. Regeneration of bamboos in forest understoreys after synchronous die‐off provides an opportunity for assessing how they come to proliferate across heterogeneous light environments. In a Japanese forest, we examined genet demography of a population of Sasa kurilensis over a 7‐year period starting 10 years after die‐off, shortly after which some genets began spreading horizontally by rhizomes. The aboveground biomass was estimated, and genets were discriminated in 9‐m2 plots placed under both canopy gaps and closed canopies. Overall, the results suggest that the survival and spread of more productive genets and the spatial expansion of genets into closed canopies underlie the proliferation of S. kurilensis. Compared to canopy gaps, the recovery rate of biomass was much slower under closed canopies for the first 10 years after the die‐off, but became accelerated during the next 7 years. Genet survival was greater for more productive genets (with greater initial number of culms), and the spaces occupied by genets that died were often colonized afterward by clonal growth of surviving genets. The number of genets decreased under canopy gaps due to greater mortality, but increased under closed canopies where greater number of genets colonized clonally from outside the plots than genets died. The colonizing genets were more productive (having larger culms) than those originally germinated within the plots, and the contribution of colonizing genets to the biomass was greater under closed canopies. Our study emphasizes the importance of investigating genet dynamics over relevant spatiotemporal scales to reveal processes underlying the success of clonal plants in heterogeneous habitats.
Adaptations of white spruce to climate: strong intraspecific differences in cold hardiness linked to survival
Authors: Sebastian‐Azcona Jaime , Hacke Uwe G , Hamann Andreas 
Published: January 2018

AbstractUnderstanding local adaptation of tree populations to climate allows the development of assisted migration guidelines as a tool for forest managers to address climate change. Here, we study the relationship among climate, a wide range of physiological traits, and field performance of selected white spruce provenances originating from throughout the species range. Tree height, survival, cold hardiness, hydraulic, and wood anatomical traits were measured in a 32‐year‐old common garden trial, located in the center of the species range. Provenance performance included all combinations of high versus low survival and growth, with the most prevalent population differentiation for adaptive traits observed in cold hardiness. Cold hardiness showed a strong association with survival and was associated with cold winter temperatures at the site of seed origin. Tree height was mostly explained by the length of the growing season at the origin of the seed source. Although population differentiation was generally weak in wood anatomical and hydraulic traits, within‐population variation was substantial in some traits, and a boundary analysis revealed that efficient water transport was associated with vulnerable xylem and low wood density, indicating that an optimal combination of high water transport efficiency and high cavitation resistance is not possible. Our results suggest that assisted migration prescriptions may be advantageous under warming climate, but pronounced trade‐offs between survival and cold hardiness require a careful consideration of the distances of these transfers.
Treatment of MCPT8DTR mice with high‐ or low‐dose diphtheria toxin leads to differential depletion of basophils and granulocyte‐macrophage progenitors
Authors: El Hachem Carole , Hener Pierre , Kirstetter Peggy , Li Jiagui , Chan Susan , Li Mei 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBasophils have been recently recognized to play important roles in type 2 immune responses during allergies and parasitic infection, largely due to the development of novel tools for the in vivo study of these cells. As such, the genetically‐engineered MCPT8DTR mouse line has been used to specifically deplete basophils following treatment with diphtheria toxin (DT). In this study, we showed that DT‐injected MCPT8DTR mice exhibited a striking decrease of eosinophils and neutrophils in skin when subjected to a hapten fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) experimental protocol. Unexpectedly, we found that loss of skin eosinophils and neutrophils was not due to a lack of basophil‐mediated recruitment, as DT injection caused a systemic reduction of eosinophils and neutrophils in MCPT8DTR mice in a time‐dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that hematopoietic stem‐cell‐derived granulocyte‐macrophage progenitors (GMPs) expressed MCPT8 gene, and that these cells were depleted upon DT injection. Finally, we optimized a protocol in which a low‐dose DT achieved a better specificity for depleting basophils, but not GMPs, in MCPT8DTR mice, and demonstrate that basophils do not play a major role in recruiting eosinophils and neutrophils to ACD skin. These data provide new and valuable information about functional studies of basophils.
Reduction of Chlorophyll in Cold‐Pressed Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Seed Oil by Ultrasonic Bleaching and Enhancement of Oxidative Stability
Authors: Liang Jingbang , Aachary Ayyappan A. , Hydamaka Arnold , Eskin N. A. Michael , Eck Peter , Thiyam‐Holländer Usha 
Published: January 2018

The effects of ultrasonic bleaching on chlorophyll reduction and oxidative stability of cold‐pressed Cannabis sativa (hemp) seed oil is investigated using three different clays, Sepiolite, activated Bentonite, and an industrial clay. The chlorophyll content is significantly reduced (p < 0.05) from 56.3 μg g−1 in the untreated oil to 14.8 μg kg−1, 9.9 μg kg−1, and 7.8 μg kg−1 in oils treated with Sepiolite, activated Bentonite, and industrial clay, respectively. Oxidative stability is enhanced in all ultrasonically‐treated oils by a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in Peroxide Value (PV) with the highest reduction (97%) observed in the presence of industrial clay (PV = 0.11 mEq kg−1). A corresponding reduction in Conjugated Dienes (CD) is also found in the treated samples ranging from 0.073–0.095% compared to 0.102% for the control. During accelerated storage at 60 °C, increase in PVs and CDs are significantly (p < 0.05) slower for the ultrasonically treated oils in the presence of clays compared to the control. Accelerated storage at 40 °C shows that the PV is greater in hempseed oil bleached with Sepiolite clay compared to a combination of Sepiolite and ultrasonic bleaching. Based on these results it is evident that the rapid removal of chlorophyll from cold pressed hempseed oil is enhanced by a combination of bleaching clay and ultrasonic treatment.Practical Applications: Ultrasonic treatment of cold pressed hempseed oil combined with bleaching clays proves very effective in reducing chlorophyll content. The method is not only rapid and clean but requires significantly less bleaching clay. Hempseed oil treated in this way exhibits greater oxidative stability making it more attractive for industrial and consumer use. The results of ultrasonic bleaching suggest its potential for prolonging the shelf‐life. Utilizing the ultrasonic bleaching technique as an alternative to conventional bleaching would be beneficial to the edible oil industry.The results of ultrasonic bleaching prove effectiveness in reducing chlorophyll content in cold‐pressed hempseed oil and suggest its potential for prolonging the shelf‐life.
Fabrication of Electrochemical Sensor Based on Layered Double Hydroxide/Polypyrrole/Carbon Paste for Determination of an Alpha‐adrenergic Blocking Agent Terazosin
Authors: Hassanein A. , Salahuddin N. , Matsuda A. , Hattori T. , Elfiky M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractNew insights into the design of highly sensitive, carbon‐based electrochemical sensors are presented in this work. This was achieved by exploring the interesting properties of conductive (Mg/Al) layered double hydroxide‐dodecyl sulphate/polypyrrole nanocomposites which were synthesized by in‐situ polymerization of pyrrole during the assembly of (Mg/Al) layered double hydroxide, and by employing the anionic surfactant dodecyl sulphate as a modifier. Changes in morphology and surface area of the nanocomposites occured as a result of change in pyrrole percentage. Under optimal conditions, the modified carbon paste electrode successfully achieved detection limits of 0.057 and 0.134 nmol L−1 of Terazosin hydrochloride in pharmaceutical formulation and spiked human serum fluid, respectively. Moreover, the sensors are highly stable, reusable and free of interference by other commonly present excipients in drug formulations.
Value‐at‐risk under market shifts through highly flexible models
Authors: BenSaïda Ahmed , Boubaker Sabri , Nguyen Duc Khuong , Slim Skander 
Published: January 2018

AbstractManaging market risk under unknown future shocks is a critical issue for policymakers, investors, and professional risk managers. Despite important developments in market risk modeling and forecasting over recent years, market participants are still skeptical about the ability of existing econometric designs to accurately predict potential losses, particularly in the presence of hidden structural changes. In this paper, we introduce Markov‐switching APARCH models under the skewed generalized t and the generalized hyperbolic distributions to fully capture the fuzzy dynamics and stylized features of financial market returns and to generate value‐at‐risk (VaR) forecasts. Our empirical analysis of six major stock market indexes shows the superiority of the proposed models in detecting and forecasting unobservable shocks on market volatility, and in calculating daily capital charges based on VaR forecasts.
Multiple DICER1‐related tumors in a child with a large interstitial 14q32 deletion
Authors: de Kock Leanne , Geoffrion Dominique , Rivera Barbara , Wagener Rabea , Sabbaghian Nelly , Bens Susanne , Ellezam Benjamin , Bouron‐Dal Soglio Dorothée , Ordóñez Jessica , Sacharow Stephanie , Polo Nieto Jose Fernando , Guillerman R. Paul , Vujanic Gordan M. , Priest John R. , Siebert Reiner , Foulkes William D. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractGerm‐line interstitial deletions involving the 14q32 chromosomal region, resulting in 14q32 deletion syndrome, are rare. DICER1 is a recently described cancer‐predisposition gene located at 14q32.13. We report the case of a male child with a ∼5.8 Mbp 14q32.13q32.2 germ‐line deletion, which included the full DICER1 locus. We reviewed available clinical and pathological material, and conducted genetic analyses. In addition to having congenital dysmorphic features, the child developed multiple DICER1 syndrome‐related tumors before age 5 y: a pediatric cystic nephroma (pCN), a ciliary body medulloepithelioma (CBME), and a small lung cyst (consistent with occult pleuropulmonary blastoma Type I/Ir cysts seen in DICER1 mutation carriers). He also developed a cerebral spindle‐cell sarcoma with myogenous differentiation. Our investigations revealed that the deletion encompassed 31 protein‐coding genes. In addition to the germ‐line DICER1 deletion, somatic DICER1 RNase IIIb mutations were found in the CBME (c.5437G > A, p.E1813K), pCN (c.5425G > A, p.G1809R), and sarcoma (c.5125G > A, p.D1709N). The sarcoma also harbored a somatic TP53 mutation: c.844C > T, p.R282W. Additional copy number alterations were identified in the CBME and sarcoma using an OncoScan array. Among the 8 cases with molecularly‐defined 14q32 deletions involving DICER1 and for whom phenotypic information is available, our patient and one other developed DICER1‐related tumors. Biallelic DICER1 mutations have not previously been reported to cause cerebral sarcoma, which now may be considered a rare manifestation of the DICER1 syndrome. Our study shows that DICER1‐related tumors can occur in children with 14q32 deletions and suggests surveillance for such tumors may be warranted.
A window‐less approach for capturing time‐varying connectivity in fMRI data reveals the presence of states with variable rates of change
Authors: Yaesoubi Maziar , Adalı Tülay , Calhoun Vince D. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFunctional connectivity during the resting state has been shown to change over time (i.e., has a dynamic connectivity). However, resting‐state fluctuations, in contrast to task‐based experiments, are not initiated by an external stimulus. Consequently, a more complicated method needs to be designed to measure the dynamic connectivity. Previous approaches have been based on assumptions regarding the nature of the underlying dynamic connectivity to compensate for this knowledge gap. The most common assumption is what we refer to as locality assumption. Under a locality assumption, a single connectivity state can be estimated from data that are close in time. This assumption is so natural that it has been either explicitly or implicitly embedded in many current approaches to capture dynamic connectivity. However, an important drawback of methods using this assumption is they are unable to capture dynamic changes in connectivity beyond the embedded rate while, there has been no evidence that the rate of change in brain connectivity matches the rates enforced by this assumption. In this study, we propose an approach that enables us to capture functional connectivity with arbitrary rates of change, varying from very slow to the theoretically maximum possible rate of change, which is only imposed by the sampling rate of the imaging device. This method allows us to observe unique patterns of connectivity that were not observable with previous approaches. As we explain further, these patterns are also significantly correlated to the age and gender of study subjects, which suggests they are also neurobiologically related.
Critical evaluation of international health programs: Reframing global health and evaluation
Authors: Chi Chunhuei , Tuepker Anaïs , Schoon Rebecca , Núñez Mondaca Alicia 
Published: January 2018

SummaryStriking changes in the funding and implementation of international health programs in recent decades have stimulated debate about the role of communities in deciding which health programs to implement. An important yet neglected piece of that discussion is the need to change norms in program evaluation so that analysis of community ownership, beyond various degrees of “participation,” is seen as central to strong evaluation practices. This article challenges mainstream evaluation practices and proposes a framework of Critical Evaluation with 3 levels: upstream evaluation assessing the “who” and “how” of programming decisions; midstream evaluation focusing on the “who” and “how” of selecting program objectives; and downstream evaluation, the focus of current mainstream evaluation, which assesses whether the program achieved its stated objectives. A vital tenet of our framework is that a community possesses the right to determine the path of its health development. A prerequisite of success, regardless of technical outcomes, is that programs must address communities' high priority concerns. Current participatory methods still seldom practice community ownership of program selection because they are vulnerable to funding agencies' predetermined priorities. In addition to critiquing evaluation practices and proposing an alternative framework, we acknowledge likely challenges and propose directions for future research.
The Interaction of BMP2‐Induced Defect Healing in Rat and Fixator Stiffness Modulates Matrix Alignment and Contraction
Authors: Schwarz Carolin , Ott Claus‐Eric , Wulsten Dag , Brauer Erik , Schreivogel Sophie , Petersen Ansgar , Hassanein Kerstin , Roewer Linda , Schmidt Tanja , Willie Bettina M , Duda Georg N 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTSuccessful fracture healing requires a tight interplay between mechanical and biological cues. In vitro studies illustrated that mechanical loading modulates bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. However, in the early phases of large bone defect regeneration in vivo, the underlying mechanisms leading to this mechanosensation remained unknown. We investigated the interaction of BMP2 stimulation and mechanical boundary conditions in a rat critical‐sized femoral defect model (5 mm) stabilized with three distinctly different external fixator stiffness. Defects were treated with 5 μg rhBMP2 loaded on an absorbable collagen sponge. Early matrix alignment was monitored by second‐harmonic generation imaging. Bony bridging of defects and successive healing was monitored by histology at day 7 and day 14 as well as in vivo microCT at days 10, 21, and 42 post‐operation. Femora harvested at day 42 were characterized mechanically assessing torsional load to failure ex vivo. At tissue level, differences between groups were visible at day 14 with manifest bone formation in the microCT. Histologically, we observed prolonged chondrogenesis upon flexible fixation, whereas osteogenesis started earlier after rigid and semirigid fixation. At later time points, there was a boost of bone tissue formation upon flexible fixation, whereas other groups already displayed signs of tissue maturation. Based on gene expression profiling, we analyzed the mechanobiological interplay. Already at day 3, these analyses revealed differences in expression pattern, specifically of genes involved in extracellular matrix formation. Gene regulation correlating with fixator stiffness was pronounced at day 7 comprising genes related to immunological processes and cellular contraction. The influence of loading on matrix contraction was further investigated and confirmed in a 3D bioreactor. Taken together, we demonstrate an early onset of mechanical conditions influencing BMP2‐induced defect healing and shed light on gene regulatory networks associated with extracellular matrix organization and contraction that seemed to directly impact healing outcomes. © 2018 The Authors. JBMR Plus is published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
MicroRNA‐1271 suppresses the proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer cells by regulating metadherin/Wnt signaling
Authors: Sun Xiaoli , Zhai Hongjun , Chen Xi , Kong Ranran , Zhang Xinwu 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRecent studies have reported an important role for microRNA‐1271 (miR‐1271) in tumorigenesis. However, the role of miR‐1271 in colorectal cancer remains unknown. Here, we found that miR‐1271 was significantly decreased in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR‐1271 inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, cell invasion, and induced cell cycle arrest in colorectal cancer cells. Metadherin (MTDH) was identified as a target gene of miR‐1271. Moreover, miR‐1271 negatively regulated MTDH expression in colorectal cancer cells and reversely correlated with MTDH expression in colorectal cancer specimens. Additionally, miR‐1271 also regulated the activation of Wnt signaling in colorectal cancer cells. The restoration of MTDH expression significantly reversed the antitumor effect of miR‐1271 in colorectal cancer cells. These findings indicate an important role for miR‐1271/MTDH in the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer, and suggest that miR‐1271 may be a novel therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.
Curcumin ameliorates doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity by abrogation of inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative DNA damage, and protein oxidation in rats
Authors: Benzer Fulya , Kandemir Fatih Mehmet , Ozkaraca Mustafa , Kucukler Sefa , Caglayan Cuneyt 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDoxorubicin (DXR) is a highly effective drug for chemotherapy. However, cardiotoxicity reduces its clinical utility in humans. The present study aimed to assess the ameliorative effect of curcumin against DXR‐induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Rats were subjected to oral treatment of curcumin (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) for 7 days. Cardiotoxicity was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of DXR (40 mg/kg body weight) on the 5th day and the rats sacrificed on 8th day. Curcumin ameliorated DXR‐induced lipid peroxidation, glutathione depletion, decrease in antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) enzyme activities, and cardiac toxicity markers (CK‐MB, LDH, and cTn‐I). Curcumin also attenuated activities of Caspase‐3, cyclooxygenase‐2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and levels of nuclear factor kappa‐B, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and interleukin‐1β, and cardiac tissue damages that were induced by DXR. Moreover, curcumin decreased the expression of 8‐OHdG and 3,3′‐dityrosine. This study demonstrated that curcumin has a multi‐cardioprotective effect due to its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties.