bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Raising awareness of Graves' orbitopathy with early warning cards
Authors: Mitchell Anna L. , Hickey Janis , Vaidya Bijay , Mason Rhianne , Ajjan Ramzi , Zammitt Nicola , Perros Petros , Dayan Colin ,   TEAMeD
Published: July 2017

SummaryBackgroundClinically significant Graves' orbitopathy (GO) develops in about 25% of those with Graves' disease (GD); most cases of GD in the UK are managed by endocrinologists. Despite this, patients report significant delays before a diagnosis of GO is made. Measures to increase awareness of the early signs of GO and establishing a fast‐track referral pathway to specialist care should overcome these delays and potentially improve outcomes.AimsWe aimed to determine whether issuing a “GO early warning card” to all GD patients raises awareness of GO and facilitates early diagnosis, what percentage of cards result in a telephone contact, the number of “false reports” from card carriers and patient perceptions of the cards.MethodsWe designed cards, detailing common GO symptoms and a telephone number for patients developing symptoms. Cards were distributed to 160 GD patients, without known GO, attending four endocrine clinics in the UK (December 2015‐March 2016). We recorded telephone contacts over twelve months from when the last card was distributed and gathered patient feedback.ResultsThe early warning cards were well received by patients in general. Over twelve months, ten telephone contacts from nine patients, all related to ocular symptoms, were received (6% of cards issued). Nine calls resulted in an additional clinic review (for eight patients), and four diagnoses of GO were made.ConclusionsThis pilot study demonstrates that it is feasible to distribute GO early warning cards in clinic, and that they can be used to facilitate an early diagnosis of GO.
Thioredoxin‐interacting protein induced α‐synuclein accumulation via inhibition of autophagic flux: Implications for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Su Cun‐Jin , Feng Yu , Liu Teng‐Teng , Liu Xu , Bao Jun‐Jie , Shi Ai‐Ming , Hu Duan‐Min , Liu Tong , Yu Yun‐Li 
Published: July 2017

SummaryAimsThioredoxin‐interacting protein (TXNIP) is associated with activation of oxidative stress through inhibition of thioredoxin (Trx). However, some evidences point out that TXNIP acts as a scaffolding protein in signaling complex independent of cellular redox regulation. The autophagy‐lysosomal pathway plays important roles in the clearance of misfolded proteins and dysfunctional organelles. Lysosomal dysfunction has been involved in several neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD). Although researchers have reported that TXNIP inhibited autophagic flux, the specific mechanism is rarely studied.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the effects of TXNIP on autophagic flux and α‐synuclein accumulation by Western blot in HEK293 cells transfected with TXNIP plasmid. Further, we explored the influence of TXNIP on DA neuron survival in substantia nigra by IHC.ResultsWe found that TXNIP induced LC3‐II expression, but failed to degrade p62, a substrate of autophagy. Also, TXNIP aggravated α‐synuclein accumulation. We also found that TXNIP inhibited the expression of ATP13A2, a lysosomal membrane protein. Moreover, we found that overexpression of ATP13A2 attenuated the impairment of autophagic flux and α‐synuclein accumulation induced by TXNIP. Furthermore, overexpression of TXNIP in substantia nigra resulted in loss of DA neuron.ConclusionOur data suggested that TXNIP blocked autophagic flux and induced α‐synuclein accumulation through inhibition of ATP13A2, indicating TXNIP was a disease‐causing protein in PD.
The effect of a multidisciplinary regional educational programme on the quality of colon cancer resection
Authors: Sheehan‐Dare G. E. , Marks K. M. , Tinkler‐Hundal E. , Ingeholm P. , Bertelsen C. A. , Quirke P. , West N. P. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimMesocolic plane surgery with central vascular ligation produces an oncologically superior specimen following colon cancer resection and appears to be related to optimal outcomes. We aimed to assess whether a regional educational programme in optimal mesocolic surgery led to an improvement in the quality of specimens.MethodFollowing an educational programme in the Capital and Zealand areas of Denmark, 686 cases of primary colon cancer resected across six hospitals were assessed by grading the plane of surgery and undertaking tissue morphometry. These were compared to 263 specimens resected prior to the educational programme.ResultsAcross the region, the mesocolic plane rate improved from 58% to 77% (P < 0.001). One hospital had previously implemented optimal surgery as standard prior to the educational programme and continued to produce a high rate of mesocolic plane specimens (68%) with a greater distance between the tumour and the high tie (median for all fresh cases: 113 vs 82 mm) and lymph node yield (33 vs 18) compared to the other hospitals. Three of the other hospitals showed a significant improvement in the plane of surgical resection.ConclusionA multidisciplinary regional educational programme in optimal mesocolic surgery improved the oncological quality of colon cancer specimens as assessed by mesocolic planes; however, there was no significant effect on the amount of tissue resected centrally. Surgeons who attempt central vascular ligation continue to produce more radical specimens suggesting that such educational programmes alone are not sufficient to increase the amount of tissue resected around the tumour.
Characteristics of people with high visit‐to‐visit glycaemic variability in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Noyes J. D. , Soto‐Pedre E. , Donnelly L. A. , Pearson E. R. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimsIncreased visit‐to‐visit glycaemic variability is independently associated with adverse outcomes in Type 2 diabetes. Our aim was to identify the patient characteristics associated with raised visit‐to‐visit glycaemic variability in people with Type 2 diabetes.MethodsA case–control study was conducted to establish associations between HbA1c variability and clinical covariates in 10 130 people with Type 2 diabetes. Variability was calculated by two metrics [sd and coefficient of variation (CV)] from a minimum of four HbA1c readings obtained over a 4‐year period. High and low variability groups were defined as the top and bottom tertile of the sd or CV, and used in logistic regression analyses including a number of clinical and biochemical covariates. The analyses were stratified into low mean (< 53 mmol/mol; 7%) and high mean (≥ 53 mmol/mol; 7%) HbA1c groups.ResultsFindings were consistent across both HbA1c groups and variability metrics. Treatment, independent of other factors, was the most strongly associated covariate for the risk of high HbA1c variability. A six‐fold increased risk was observed in the low HbA1c group, between the most and least intense treatment regimens (P < 0.001). Similar findings were present in the high HbA1c group with a three‐fold increase in risk (P < 0.001). In addition, male gender, younger age, reduced HDL‐cholesterol and increased BMI were all found to be independently associated with raised visit‐to‐visit glycaemic variability.ConclusionsIntensive treatment resulting in low mean HbA1c was associated with marked increase in HbA1c variability. Irrespective of diabetes control, the greatest visit‐to‐visit variability was observed in young, insulin resistant men.
Decline‐associated Phaeoacremonium species occurring on forest trees in the north of Iran
Authors: Kazemzadeh Chakusary M. , Mohammadi H. , Khodaparast S. A. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryBetween 2013 and 2015, several surveys were conducted throughout forest areas in the north of Iran with the aim of isolating and identifying fungi present on trees showing decline symptoms. Fungal species, isolated from symptomatic wood tissues of various tree genera, including Zelkova, Acer, Parrotia, Quercus, Diospyros, Fagus, Fraxinus, Populus, Pinus, Pterocarya, Gleditsia, Carpinus, Ulmus, Crataegus, Alnus, Mespilus, Punica, Cydonia, Cupressus and Prunus, were morphologically identified and characterized. A molecular identification based on comparisons of DNA sequences of the β‐tubulin gene allowed us to identify seven species belonging to Phaeoacremonium; namely, Phaeoacremonium parasiticum, Pm. alvesii, Pm. minimum, Pm. iranianum, Pm. scolyti, Pm. fraxinopennsylvanicum and Pm. croatiense were isolated and identified. Phaeoacremonium minimum was the most common species and isolated from Gleditsia caspica, Parrotia persica, Cydonia oblonga and Alnus glutinosa. Pathogenicity on selected plants using a mycelium plug inoculation method revealed that most of these species are pathogenic to all the tested trees, with Pm. parasiticum and Pm. minimum being the most pathogenic species. According to host plant species and geographical distribution, the majority of Phaeoacremonium species found represent new records. This is also the first report of Pm. croatiense in Iran and outside Croatia.
Morphological features of congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I: The role of electron microscopy in diagnosis
Authors: Resnitzky Peretz , Shaft Dina , Shalev Hanna , Kapelushnik Joseph , Dgany Orly , Krasnov Tanya , Tamary Hannah 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntroductionCongenital dyserythropoietic anemias are rare blood disorders characterized by congenital anemia and a wide range of morphological and functional abnormalities of erythroid precursors.ObjectivesTo analyze the relative frequency of both light microscopic (LM) and electron microscopic (EM) morphological features of erythroblasts in a large group of patients with molecular proven congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I (CDAI).MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the LM and EM of bone marrow (BM) erythroblasts in 35 patients with CDAI. Thirty‐four patients carried the CDAN1 Arg1042Trp founder mutation and one the p.Pro1130Leu mutation. BM slides of 24 patients were available for LM examination. EM studies were performed in all 35 patients.ResultsOn LM, marked erythroid hyperplasia, binuclear erythroblasts, and various non‐specific dyserythropoietic features were documented in every case; internuclear chromatin bridges were detected in 19 patients (79%). In all, EM of erythroblasts revealed a spongy appearance of heterochromatin, a widening of nuclear pores, and invagination of cytoplasm into the nuclear region.ConclusionsEM studies revealed high morphological frequency of specific ultrastructural changes in erythroblasts which facilitate prompt diagnosis of CDAI. Due to low specificity of BM LM findings, when BM EM is unavailable diagnostic approach should also include other inherited anemias.
Extrapolating evidence of antiepileptic drug efficacy in adults to children ≥2 years of age with focal seizures: The case for disease similarity
Authors: Pellock John M. , Arzimanoglou Alexis , D'Cruz O'Neill , Holmes Gregory L. , Nordli Douglas , Shinnar Shlomo ,   the Pediatric Epilepsy Academic Consortium for Extrapolation
Published: July 2017

SummaryExpediting pediatric access to new antiseizure drugs is particularly compelling, because epileptic seizures are the most common serious neurological symptom in children. Analysis of antiepileptic drug (AED) efficacy outcomes of randomized controlled trials, conducted during the past 20 years in different populations and a broad range of study sites and countries, has shown considerable consistency for each drug between adult and pediatric populations. Historically, the majority of regulatory approvals for AEDs have been for seizure types and not for specific epilepsy syndromes. Available data, both anatomical and neurophysiological, support a similar pathophysiology of focal seizures in adults and young children, and suggest that by age 2 years the structural and physiological milieu upon which seizures develop is similar. Although the distribution of specific etiologies and epilepsy syndromes is different in children from in adults, this should not impact approvals of efficacy based on seizure type, because the pathophysiology of focal seizures and the drug responsiveness of these seizure types are quite similar. Safety and pharmacokinetics cannot be extrapolated from adults to children. The scientific rationale, clinical consensus, and published data support a future approach accepting efficacy data from adult trials and focusing exclusively on prospective pharmacokinetic, tolerability, and safety studies and long‐term follow‐up in children. Whereas tolerability studies can be compared easily in children and adults, safety studies require large numbers of patients followed for many years.
Bufalin, a bufanolide steroid from the parotoid glands of the Chinese toad, suppresses hERG K+ currents expressed in HEK293 cells
Authors: Song Tao , Zhang Yuanyuan , Song Qiongtao , Han Xue , Guan Shengjiang , Zhang Xuan , Chu Xi , Zhang Fenghua , Zhang Jianping , Chu Li 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the effect of bufalin on the human ether‐à‐go‐go‐related gene (hERG) K+ channels using the perforated patch recording technique. We measured a half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 24.83 μM and maximal inhibitory effect of 39.45 ± 1.14% with bufalin. These findings suggest that bufalin is a potent hERG K+ channel blocker and may provide a new way for understanding Chan Su‐induced arrhythmia.
Hierarchical role for transcription factors and chromatin structure in genome organization along adipogenesis
Authors: Sarusi Portuguez Avital , Schwartz Michal , Siersbaek Rasmus , Nielsen Ronni , Sung Myong‐Hee , Mandrup Susanne , Kaplan Tommy , Hakim Ofir 
Published: July 2017

The three dimensional folding of mammalian genomes is cell type specific and difficult to alter suggesting that it is an important component of gene regulation. However, given the multitude of chromatin‐associating factors, the mechanisms driving the colocalization of active chromosomal domains and the role of this organization in regulating the transcription program in adipocytes are not clear. Analysis of genome‐wide chromosomal associations revealed cell type‐specific spatial clustering of adipogenic genes in 3T3‐L1 cells. Time course analysis demonstrated that the adipogenic ‘hub’, sampled by PPARγ and Lpin1, undergoes orchestrated reorganization during adipogenesis. Coupling the dynamics of genome architecture with multiple chromatin datasets indicated that among all the transcription factors (TFs) tested, RXR is central to genome reorganization at the beginning of adipogenesis. Interestingly, at the end of differentiation, the adipogenic hub was shifted to an H3K27me3‐repressive environment in conjunction with attenuation of gene transcription. We propose a stage‐specific hierarchy for the activity of TFs contributing to the establishment of an adipogenic genome architecture that brings together the adipogenic genetic program. In addition, the repositioning of this network in a H3K27me3‐rich environment at the end of differentiation may contribute to the stabilization of gene transcription levels and reduce the developmental plasticity of these specialized cells.DatabaseAll sequence data reported in this paper have been deposited at GEO (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/) (GSE92475)
The Impact of Government Intervention on Corporate Investment Allocations and Efficiency: Evidence from China
Authors: Hao Ying , Lu Jing 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe examine whether government intervention plays an important role in determining corporate investment allocations and efficiency in China. We find the government tends to intervene to promote corporate investment in fixed assets, equity in other state‐owned enterprises (SOEs), and natural resources including oil, natural gas, and mines, but reduces research and development (R&D) investment. However, the effects of government intervention on these investment allocations are primarily found in local SOEs rather than in central SOEs or in private enterprise. Government intervention also induces a crowding‐out effect in natural resource investments of private firms, suggesting that government intervention distorts investment allocations and reduces investment efficiency.
The Seal of Biliteracy: Variations in Policy and Outcomes
Authors: Davin Kristin J. , Heineke Amy J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe Seal of Biliteracy is an award that recognizes students who have demonstrated proficiency in English and one or more other world languages. In participating school districts in states that have adopted the Seal of Biliteracy, students who demonstrate proficiency in both English and a world language are eligible to earn a seal that is affixed to their high school diploma or transcript. With scant research conducted to date on the Seal of Biliteracy, this study aimed to understand the variation in policies across participating states. Documentation and interview data were collected and analyzed from each state offering the Seal of Biliteracy. Findings revealed that substantial variation existed across states regarding minimum required levels of proficiency, world language proficiency requirements, and English language proficiency requirements. These variations in policy influenced the types of schools offering the award and the percentage of students earning it. This article offers implications for those in the process of policy adoption or revision and for those who are interested in researching efforts to increase equity and access to the Seal of Biliteracy.
Impact of winter roads on boreal peatland carbon exchange
Authors: Strack Maria , Softa Divya , Bird Melanie , Xu Bin 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAcross Canada's boreal forest, linear disturbances, including cutlines such as seismic lines and roads, crisscross the landscape to facilitate resource exploration and extraction; many of these linear disturbances cross peatland ecosystems. Changes in tree canopy cover and the compression of the peat by heavy equipment alter local thermal, hydrological, and ecological conditions, likely changing carbon exchange on the disturbance, and possibly in the adjacent peatland. We measured bulk density, water table, soil temperature, plant cover, and CO2 and CH4 flux along triplicate transects crossing a winter road through a wooded fen near Peace River, Alberta, Canada. Sample plots were located 1, 5, and 10 m from the road on both sides with an additional three plots on the road. Productivity of the overstory trees, when present, was also determined. The winter road had higher bulk density, shallower water table, higher graminoid cover, and thawed earlier than the adjacent peatland. Tree productivity and CO2 flux varied between the plots, and there was no clear pattern in relation to distance from the road. The plots on the winter road acted as a greater CO2 sink and greater CH4 source compared to the adjacent peatland with plots on the winter road emitting on average (standard error) 479 (138) compared to 41 (10) mg CH4 m−2 day−1 in the adjacent peatland. Considering both gases, global warming potential increased from 70 to 250 g CO2e m−2 year−1 in the undisturbed area to 2100 g CO2e m−2 year−1 on the winter road. Although carbon fluxes on any given cutline through peatland will vary depending on level of compaction, line width and vegetation community shifts, the large number of linear disturbances in Canada's boreal forest and slow recovery on peatland ecosites suggest they could represent an important anthropogenic greenhouse gas source.
Identifying keystone habitats with a mosaic approach can improve biodiversity conservation in disturbed ecosystems
Authors: Hitchman Sean M. , Mather Martha E. , Smith Joseph M. , Fencl Jane S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractConserving native biodiversity in the face of human‐ and climate‐related impacts is a challenging and globally important ecological problem that requires an understanding of spatially connected, organismal‐habitat relationships. Globally, a suite of disturbances (e.g., agriculture, urbanization, climate change) degrades habitats and threatens biodiversity. A mosaic approach (in which connected, interacting collections of juxtaposed habitat patches are examined) provides a scientific foundation for addressing many disturbance‐related, ecologically based conservation problems. For example, if specific habitat types disproportionately increase biodiversity, these keystones should be incorporated into research and management plans. Our sampling of fish biodiversity and aquatic habitat along ten 3‐km sites within the Upper Neosho River subdrainage, KS, from June‐August 2013 yielded three generalizable ecological insights. First, specific types of mesohabitat patches (i.e., pool, riffle, run, and glide) were physically distinct and created unique mosaics of mesohabitats that varied across sites. Second, species richness was higher in riffle mesohabitats when mesohabitat size reflected field availability. Furthermore, habitat mosaics that included more riffles had greater habitat diversity and more fish species. Thus, riffles (<5% of sampled area) acted as keystone habitats. Third, additional conceptual development, which we initiate here, can broaden the identification of keystone habitats across ecosystems and further operationalize this concept for research and conservation. Thus, adopting a mosaic approach can increase scientific understanding of organismal‐habitat relationships, maintain natural biodiversity, advance spatial ecology, and facilitate effective conservation of native biodiversity in human‐altered ecosystems.
How disturbance, competition, and dispersal interact to prevent tree range boundaries from keeping pace with climate change
Authors: Liang Yu , Duveneck Matthew J. , Gustafson Eric J. , Serra‐Diaz Josep M. , Thompson Jonathan R. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractClimate change is expected to cause geographic shifts in tree species' ranges, but such shifts may not keep pace with climate changes because seed dispersal distances are often limited and competition‐induced changes in community composition can be relatively slow. Disturbances may speed changes in community composition, but the interactions among climate change, disturbance and competitive interactions to produce range shifts are poorly understood. We used a physiologically based mechanistic landscape model to study these interactions in the northeastern United States. We designed a series of disturbance scenarios to represent varied disturbance regimes in terms of both disturbance extent and intensity. We simulated forest succession by incorporating climate change under a high‐emissions future, disturbances, seed dispersal, and competition using the landscape model parameterized with forest inventory data. Tree species range boundary shifts in the next century were quantified as the change in the location of the 5th (the trailing edge) and 95th (the leading edge) percentiles of the spatial distribution of simulated species. Simulated tree species range boundary shifts in New England over the next century were far below (usually <20 km) that required to track the velocity of temperature change (usually more than 110 km over 100 years) under a high‐emissions scenario. Simulated species` ranges shifted northward at both the leading edge (northern boundary) and trailing edge (southern boundary). Disturbances may expedite species' recruitment into new sites, but they had little effect on the velocity of simulated range boundary shifts. Range shifts at the trailing edge tended to be associated with photosynthetic capacity, competitive ability for light and seed dispersal ability, whereas shifts at the leading edge were associated only with photosynthetic capacity and competition for light. This study underscores the importance of understanding the role of interspecific competition and disturbance when studying tree range shifts.