bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drp‐1, a potential therapeutic target for brain ischaemic stroke
Authors: Zuo W , Yang P F , Chen J , Zhang Z , Chen N H 
Published: February 2016

Background and PurposeThe resistance of CA3 neurons to ischaemia and the ischaemic tolerance conferred by ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) are two well‐established endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms. Elucidating the molecules involved may help us find new therapeutic targets. Thus, we determined whether dynamin‐related protein 1 (Drp‐1) is involved in these processes.Experimental ApproachIn vivo, we subjected rats to either 10 min severe global ischaemia using a four‐vessel occlusion (4‐VO) model or 2 min IPC before the onset of 4‐VO.In vitro, we performed oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) studies in rat hippocampal neurons. Drp‐1 was silenced or inhibited by siRNA or pharmacological inhibitor Mdivi1. To assess whether mitochondrial Drp‐1 alters neuronal vulnerability to ischaemic injury, various approaches were used including western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining and electron microscopy. Hippocampal function was assessed using an open‐field test.Key ResultsMitochondrial dynamin‐related protein 1 (mtDrp‐1) was selectively induced by ischaemia in hippocampal CA3 neurons. In hippocampal CA1 neurons, mtDrp‐1 was not affected by ischaemia but significantly up‐regulated by IPC. Suppression of Drp‐1 increased the vulnerability of cells to OGD and global ischaemia. Inhibition of Drp‐1in vivoresulted in loss of acquisition and encoding of spatial information, and also prevented ischaemia‐induced mitophagy in CA3. Thus mitochondrial‐mediated injury was amplified and resistance to ischaemic injury lost.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur findings that Drp‐1 increases the resistance of neurons of hippocampal CA3 affected by global ischaemia and contributes to the tolerance conferred by IPC highlight Drp‐1 as a potential therapeutic target for brain ischaemic stroke.
Initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy within 8 weeks of elective colorectal resection improves overall survival regardless of reoperation
Authors: Nachiappan S. , Askari A. , Mamidanna R. , Munasinghe A. , Currie A. , Stebbing J. , Faiz O. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimReoperation after elective colorectal resection may delay the start of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). The study investigated the dual impact of a reoperation and AC delay on overall survival (OS).MethodThe Hospital Episode Statistics database was analysed between 1997 and 2012. Patients were divided into colon and rectal cancer cohorts and data were analysed based on whether there was delay in receiving AC beyond 8 weeks and whether a patient suffered reoperation within 30 days. Multivariate regression analysis was undertaken to investigate the relationship between delay in giving AC and reoperation and their combined effect on OS.ResultsLogistic regression showed reoperation, amongst other things, to be an independent predictor of AC delay, in both colon and rectal cancer (colon, odds ratio 2.31, P < 0.001; rectal, odds ratio 2.19, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in OS between patients who had no AC delay but suffered a reoperation and patients who had no AC delay and no reoperation. Patients who had AC delay but no reoperation, however, had significantly worse OS compared to those who had no AC delay and no reoperation [colon, hazard ratio (HR) 1.16, P < 0.001; rectal, HR 1.17, P < 0.001]. Individuals who had both AC delay and a reoperation also had worse OS compared with patients who had neither (colon, HR 1.33, P = 0.037; rectal, HR 1.38, P < 0.001).ConclusionDelayed receipt of AC beyond 8 weeks after surgery is associated with significantly reduced OS regardless of reoperation status in both colon and rectal cancer patients.
Single and combined associations of accelerometer‐assessed physical activity and muscle‐strengthening activities on plasma homocysteine in a national sample
Authors: Buckner Samuel L. , Loenneke Jeremy P. , Loprinzi Paul D. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryBackgroundAerobic exercise and resistance training (RT) are individually associated with positive health outcomes. It has been shown that combining both aerobic and RT exercise may produce greater outcomes than each type alone. Homocysteine has been shown to decrease with aerobic and RT exercise. However, no study has examined the combined effects of both types on homocysteine, which was the purpose of this study.MethodsData from the 2003–2006 NHANES were used. Homocysteine values were obtained from a blood sample. Accelerometer‐derived physical activity (PA) was measured using accelerometry, and MSA was measured via a questionnaire.ResultsMeeting the recommendations for accelerometer‐derived PA was associated with lower homocysteine (βadjusted = −0·29; P = 0·04), as was meeting the recommendations for MSA (βadjusted = −0·30; P = 0·028). Compared to those meeting zero recommendations, there was no difference between those meeting 1 and those meeting both (P = 0·08). Further, higher homocysteine was linked with increased all‐cause mortality (HR = 1·47; 95% CI: 1·29–1·69) and CVD‐specific mortality (HR = 1·48; 95% CI: 1·20–1·81).ConclusionThese results suggest that PA and MSA are associated with lower homocysteine and that there may be a dose–response relationship when combining both forms of exercise, which is an important finding as higher homocysteine is predictive of increased all‐cause and CVD‐specific mortality.
Re‐transplants compared to primary kidney transplants recipients: a mate kidney paired analysis of the OPTN/UNOS database
Authors: Khalil Ali K. , Slaven James E. , Mujtaba Muhammad A. , Yaqub Muhammad S. , Mishler Dennis P. , Taber Tim E. , Sharfuddin Asif A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractOutcomes of kidney re‐transplant recipients (RTR) were compared to primary recipients (FTR) from paired donor kidneys. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) database was used to identify deceased donors (n = 6266) who donated one kidney to an RTR and the mate kidney to an FTR between January 2000 to December 2010. As compared to FTR, RTR were younger (45 vs. 52 yr, p < 0.001) and had higher proportion of plasma reactive antibody >80 (25% vs 7%, p < 0.001). There were higher 0 mismatches in RTR (19% vs. 16%, p < 0.001). There were more pre‐emptive transplants in RTR (24% vs. 21%, p = 0.002). Delayed graft function (28% vs. 25%, p = 0.007) was higher in RTR. Patient survival was similar in FTR and RTR groups at one, three, and five yr (95.7%, 90.2%, and 82.5% vs. 95.2%, 89.8% and 82.7%). Allograft survival rates were higher in FTR group compared to RTR group at one, three, and five yr (91.1%, 82.4%, and 70.9% vs. 87.8%, 77.4%, and 66.1% p < 0.001). Death‐censored allograft survival rates were higher in FTR group at one, three, and five yr (91.3%, 82.7% and 71.4% vs. 88%, 77.7% and 66.5% p < 0.001). In today's era of modern immunosuppression, graft survival in RTR has improved but remains inferior to FTR when controlling for donor factors.
Alcohol and economic development: Observations on the kingdom of Bhutan
Authors: Kypri Kypros , Dorji Gampo , Dalton Craig 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBhutan is a small country undergoing rapid social change arising from income growth, urbanisation and Western cultural influence. Markers of poverty, namely infectious disease and infant mortality, have improved dramatically. The attention of health authorities is now focused on the non‐communicable disease and injury burdens, to which alcohol consumption is a major contributor. The paper draws on official data to characterise the consumption of alcohol and related harm, and the nature of the alcohol market, with commentary on crucial aspects of availability policies and drink‐driving regulation that need reform. Kypri K, Dorji G, Dalton C. Alcohol and economic development: Observations on the kingdom of Bhutan. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:333ȃ336.]
Impact of centralized evaluation of bone marrow histology in systemic mastocytosis
Authors: Jawhar Mohamad , Schwaab Juliana , Horny Hans‐Peter , Sotlar Karl , Naumann Nicole , Fabarius Alice , Valent Peter , Cross Nicholas C.P. , Hofmann Wolf‐Karsten , Metzgeroth Georgia , Reiter Andreas 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundBone marrow (BM) histology/immunohistochemistry, KIT D816V mutation analysis and serum tryptase measurements are mandatory tools for diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis (SM).Materials and methodsWithin the ‘German Registry of Disorders on Eosinophils and Mast Cells’, we identified 65 patients with SM who had two consecutive BM biopsies. The first biopsy was evaluated by a local pathologist (LP) and the second biopsy by a reference pathologist (RP) of the ‘European Competence Network on Mastocytosis (ECNM)’.ResultsFinal diagnoses by RP were SM (n = 27), SM or aggressive SM (ASM) with associated clonal haematological non‐mast cell lineage disease [(A)SM‐AHNMD, n = 34)] or mast cell leukaemia ± AHNMD (n = 4). In 15 of 65 patients (23%), initial diagnoses by LP were incorrect (by overlooking SM), for example primary myelofibrosis (n = 3), myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm unclassified (n = 3) or B‐cell lymphoma (n = 2). Fourteen of 15 patients (93%) with incorrect diagnosis had an advanced SM, mostly (A)SM‐AHNMD. In the 50 concordantly diagnosed patients, immunohistochemical markers for quantitative assessment of mast cell infiltration, for example CD117 (KIT) or CD25, were applied by LP in only 34 of 50 patients (68%), and mutational analysis for KIT D816V was performed or recommended in only 13 of 50 patients (26%). Finally, the subclassification of SM was discordant because LP did not diagnose AHNMD in nine of 50 (18%) patients.ConclusionsIn summary, adequate diagnosis and subclassification of SM requires an in‐depth evaluation of the BM by experienced haematopathologists (preferably in a reference centre) in combination with molecular genetics, serum tryptase level and clinical parameters.
National curves of foetal growth in singleton foetuses of Greek origin
Authors: Sotiriadis Alexandros , Eleftheriades Makarios , Chatzinikolaou Fotios , Hassiakos Demetrios , Chrousos George P. , Pervanidou Panagiota 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundFoetal growth monitoring is an essential component of prenatal care with postnatal impact. The aim of the study was to construct reference ranges for foetal biometric parameters in Greek foetuses and to compare them with previously published models.Materials and MethodsMeasurements from 1200 Greek foetuses were used to construct normal curves for biparietal diameter (BPD), occipitofrontal diameter (OFD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femoral length (FL) and the BPD/FL ratio according to the methodology described by Royston and Wright (1998). The model was validated in a second group of 1200 different foetuses using analysis of the corresponding standardized residuals (z‐scores). The z‐scores which were derived by our model were compared to those calculated using previously published models from other populations.ResultsBPD, OFD, HC, AC, FL and the BPD/FL ratio are accurately described by simple quadratic equations (R2 > 0·96 for most of the parameters tested). Statistically significant differences were observed for most of the z‐scores when our models were compared to previously published models. Less than 10% of our foetuses were < 5th or > 95th centile of the latter models. About 10% of our foetuses were > 95th centile for FL and HC when the INTERGROWTH‐21st formulas were used.ConclusionWe present national foetal biometric references. Using charts from other populations (including INTERGROWTH‐21st) may be unrepresentative of local populations and lead to misclassification of foetal growth status.
Incidence and prognosis of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in HIV‐associated progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy
Authors: Sainz‐de‐la‐Maza S. , Casado J. L. , Pérez‐Elías M. J. , Moreno A. , Quereda C. , Moreno S. , Corral I. 
Published: February 2016

Background and purposeProgressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy‐associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (PML‐IRIS) is the paradoxical worsening or unmasking of preexisting infection with JC virus attributable to a rapid recovery of the immune system after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation. We investigated the incidence and factors associated with PML‐IRIS in HIV‐infected patients. We also studied its influence on mortality of PML and the effect of corticosteroid therapy.MethodsSingle‐center retrospective analysis of HIV‐infected patients diagnosed with PML from 1996 to 2012 who received HAART.ResultsAmong 59 PML patients treated with HAART, 18 (30.51%) developed PML‐IRIS (five delayed PML‐IRIS, 13 simultaneous PML‐IRIS). Patients who developed IRIS had lower CD4 counts prior to treatment (102 vs. 68.5, P < 0.05) and experienced a greater decline in HIV‐RNA levels in response to HAART (2.5log vs. 2.95log, P < 0.05). Gadolinium enhancement on MRI was observed in 31.25% of PML‐IRIS cases versus 2.56% of PML non‐IRIS (P < 0.01). Survival rates were higher in patients with PML‐IRIS compared to those with PML non‐IRIS. Eight patients received corticosteroids, five of which had a good outcome. Patients who died were severely ill when treatment was initiated whereas patients who survived were treated before major neurological deterioration occurred.ConclusionsNearly one‐third of HIV‐infected patients with PML develop IRIS after initiating HAART. Patients severely immunocompromised who experience a rapid virological response to HAART have a higher risk for PML‐IRIS. There was a trend for lower mortality in patients with IRIS. Early treatment with corticosteroids might be useful.
Are dermal adipocytes involved in psoriasis?
Authors: Kruglikov Ilja L. , Scherer Philipp E. , Wollina Uwe 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThere is rapidly growing evidence that adipose tissue is involved in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. Recent results demonstrate that murine skin can react to pathogens with the expansion of its dermal adipose depot and an increased production of antimicrobial peptides, which in turn can cause exacerbation of psoriasis‐associated inflammation. We hypothesize that dermal adipocytes rather than subcutaneous adipose tissues are involved in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. This model is supported by the observations that the use of a number of different therapeutic options to alleviate psoriasis invariably leads to a modulation of the dermal adipose tissue. We propose to test this hypothesis through a detailed profiling effort of adipocytes from psoriatic lesions prior to and after psoriasis‐relevant therapies.
Supporting Second Language Writing Using Multimodal Feedback
Authors: Elola Idoia , Oskoz Ana 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe educational use of computer‐based feedback in the classroom is becoming widespread. However, less is known about (1) the extent to which tools influence how instructors provide written and oral comments, and (2) whether receiving oral or written feedback influences the nature of learners' revisions. This case study, which expands existing research on computer‐mediated feedback, examines how four Spanish learners enrolled in a Spanish advanced writing course received multimodal feedback while working on the different drafts of a narrative essay. The instructor provided written feedback via Microsoft Word and oral feedback using screencast software. Results indicate that the tool used affected the quantity and quality of the instructor's comments. When using the screencast software, the instructor provided additional and lengthier comments on content, structure, and organization; the instructor was more explicit on form when using the coding system in Word. Although learners revised similarly regardless of the tool being used, they tended to prefer the oral feedback for global aspects, such as content, structure, and organization, and the written feedback for form. However, learners agreed that no matter the mode and the tool, both approaches to feedback helped them improve their writing skills.
The importance of biogeographical history and extant environmental conditions as drivers of freshwater decapod distribution in southern South America
Authors: Tumini Georgina , Giri Federico , Williner Verónica , Collins Pablo A. 
Published: February 2016

Summary

A topical issue in macroecology is whether the distribution of organisms is related to biogeographical history or current environmental conditions. Distributions of freshwater decapods in southern South America have been mainly attributed to historical factors, such as geoclimatic events, marine ingressions, tectonic uplifts and glaciations. Here, we test the hypothesis that current distributions are strongly influenced by local environmental conditions.

Generalised linear models were used to quantify the importance of altitude, stability of the waterbody, annual temperature range (ATR), pH and conductivity on the distribution of five freshwater decapod families in Argentina (Sergestidae, Palaemonidae, Parastacidae, Aeglidae and Trichodactylidae), while accounting for effects of latitude and longitude.

Decapod occurrence was strongly associated with interacting spatial and environmental factors. Latitudinal and/or longitudinal gradients were important predictors for the occurrence of Acetes paraguayensis (Sergestidae), Palaemonidae, Aeglidae and Trichodactylidae. However, the longitudinal pattern for Palaemonidae was reversed, increasing from east to west, when environmental variables were included in the analyses, whereas for Trichodactylidae, the longitudinal pattern was sufficiently explained by inclusion of local environmental variables.

Altitude, water stability and ATR were important predictors of all families, while Palaemonidae, Parastacidae and Trichodactylidae were significantly associated with pH and Palaemonidae and Aeglidae with conductivity. Interactions terms were often significant, especially with latitude.

Our results show that the macrodistribution of freshwater decapods is not solely a result of historical processes, a finding that disagrees with current understandings. Significant relationships between decapod occurrence and environmental variables indicates limited plasticity and strong adaptation to local habitats, highlighting the importance of including environmental factors in studies of crustacean biogeography and macroecology.
Synchronous genetic turnovers across Western Eurasia in Late Pleistocene collared lemmings
Authors: Palkopoulou Eleftheria , Baca Mateusz , Abramson Natalia I. , Sablin Mikhail , Socha Paweł , Nadachowski Adam , Prost Stefan , Germonpré Mietje , Kosintsev Pavel , Smirnov Nickolay G. , Vartanyan Sergey , Ponomarev Dmitry , Nyström Johanna , Nikolskiy Pavel , Jass Christopher N. , Litvinov Yuriy N. , Kalthoff Daniela C. , Grigoriev Semyon , Fadeeva Tatyana , Douka Aikaterini , Higham Thomas F.G. , Ersmark Erik , Pitulko Vladimir , Pavlova Elena , Stewart John R. , Węgleński Piotr , Stankovic Anna , Dalén Love 
Published: February 2016

AbstractRecent palaeogenetic studies indicate a highly dynamic history in collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx spp.), with several demographical changes linked to climatic fluctuations that took place during the last glaciation. At the western range margin of D. torquatus, these changes were characterized by a series of local extinctions and recolonizations. However, it is unclear whether this pattern represents a local phenomenon, possibly driven by ecological edge effects, or a global phenomenon that took place across large geographical scales. To address this, we explored the palaeogenetic history of the collared lemming using a next‐generation sequencing approach for pooled mitochondrial DNA amplicons. Sequences were obtained from over 300 fossil remains sampled across Eurasia and two sites in North America. We identified five mitochondrial lineages of D. torquatus that succeeded each other through time across Europe and western Russia, indicating a history of repeated population extinctions and recolonizations, most likely from eastern Russia, during the last 50 000 years. The observation of repeated extinctions across such a vast geographical range indicates large‐scale changes in the steppe‐tundra environment in western Eurasia during the last glaciation. All Holocene samples, from across the species' entire range, belonged to only one of the five mitochondrial lineages. Thus, extant D. torquatus populations only harbour a small fraction of the total genetic diversity that existed across different stages of the Late Pleistocene. In North American samples, haplotypes belonging to both D. groenlandicus and D. richardsoni were recovered from a Late Pleistocene site in south‐western Canada. This suggests that D. groenlandicus had a more southern and D. richardsoni a more northern glacial distribution than previously thought. This study provides significant insights into the population dynamics of a small mammal at a large geographical scale and reveals a rather complex demographical history, which could have had bottom‐up effects in the Late Pleistocene steppe‐tundra ecosystem.
Harvest management affects biomass composition responses of C4 perennial bioenergy grasses in the humid subtropical USA
Authors: Na Chae‐In , Fedenko Jeffrey R. , Sollenberger Lynn E. , Erickson John E. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractElephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) and energycane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) are high‐yielding C4 grasses that are attractive biofuel feedstocks in the humid subtropics. Determining appropriate harvest management practices for optimal feedstock chemical composition is an important precursor to their successful use in production systems. In this research, we have investigated the effects of harvest timing and frequency on biomass nutrient, carbohydrate and lignin composition of UF1 and cv. Merkeron elephantgrasses and cv. L 79‐1002 energycane. Biomass properties under increased harvest frequency (twice per year) and delayed harvest (once per year after frost) were compared with a control (once per year prior to frost). There were no differences between elephantgrass entries in structural carbohydrates; however, elephantgrasses had greater structural hexose concentration than energycane for single‐harvest treatments (avg. 398 vs. 366 mg g−1), a trait that is preferred for biofuel production. Delayed harvest of energycane decreased structural hexose compared with the control (374 vs. 357 mg g−1) because nonstructural components accumulated in energycane stem as harvest was delayed. Frequent defoliation (2X) increased N, P, and ash concentrations (75% for N and P and 58% for ash) in harvested biomass compared with single‐harvest treatments. We conclude that multiple harvests per year increase the harvest period during which feedstock is available for processing, but they do not result in optimal feedstock composition. In contrast, extending the period of feedstock supply by delaying a single harvest to after first freeze did not negatively affect cell wall constituent properties, while it increased length of the harvest period by ~30 days in the southeast USA.