bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Limited stand expansion by a long‐lived conifer at a leading northern range edge, despite available habitat
Authors: Krapek John , Buma Brian 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn an era of rapid climate change, understanding the natural capacity of species' ranges to track shifting climatic niches is a critical research and conservation need. Because species do not move across the landscape through empty space, but instead have to migrate through existing biotic communities, basic dispersal ecology and biotic interactions are important considerations beyond simple climate niche tracking.Yellow‐cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis), a long‐lived conifer of the North Pacific coastal temperate rainforest region, is thought to be undergoing a continued natural range expansion in southeast Alaska. At the same time, yellow‐cedar's trailing edge is approaching its leading edge in the region, due to climate‐induced root injury leading to widespread mortality over the past century. To examine the current dispersal capacity of yellow‐cedar at its leading range edge, and potential for the species' leading edge to stay ahead of its trailing edge, we characterized recent yellow‐cedar stand development near Juneau, Alaska, and surveyed the spread of yellow‐cedar seedlings just beyond existing stand boundaries.Despite suitable habitat beyond stand edges, stand expansion appears limited in recent decades to centuries. Large quantities of seed are germinating within stands and just beyond boundaries, but seedlings are not developing to maturity. Furthermore,c. 100–200‐year‐old yellow‐cedar trees are located abruptly at stand boundaries, indicating stand expansion is in a period of stasis with a last pulse at the end of the Little Ice Age climate period.Vegetative regeneration is common across stands and may be an adaptive strategy for this long‐lived tree to persist on the landscape until conditions are favourable for successful seedling recruitment, leading to an overall punctuated migration and colonization of new landscapes.Synthesis. Species ranges do not always respond linearly to shifting climatic conditions. Instead, successful colonization of new habitat may be tied to episodic, threshold‐related landscape phenomena, dispersal ability, and competition with existing plant communities.
A two‐step evolutionary process establishes a non‐native vitamin B6 pathway in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Rosenberg Jonathan , Yeak KahYen C. , Commichau Fabian M. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryPyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP), the most important form of vitamin B6 serves as a cofactor for many proteins. Two alternative pathways for de novo PLP biosynthesis are known: the short deoxy‐xylulose‐5‐phosphate (DXP)‐independent pathway, which is present in the Gram‐positive model bacterium Bacillus subtilis and the longer DXP‐dependent pathway, which has been intensively studied in the Gram‐negative model bacterium Escherichia coli. Previous studies revealed that bacteria contain many promiscuous enzymes causing a so‐called ‘underground metabolism’, which can be important for the evolution of novel pathways. Here, we evaluated the potential of B. subtilis to use a truncated non‐native DXP‐dependent PLP pathway from E. coli for PLP synthesis. Adaptive laboratory evolution experiments revealed that two non‐native enzymes catalysing the last steps of the DXP‐dependent PLP pathway and two genomic alterations are sufficient to allow growth of vitamin B6 auxotrophic bacteria as rapid as the wild type. Thus, the existence of an underground metabolism in B. subtilis facilitates the generation of a pathway for synthesis of PLP using parts of a non‐native vitamin B6 pathway. The introduction of non‐native enzymes into a metabolic network and rewiring of native metabolism could be helpful to generate pathways that might be optimized for producing valuable substances.
Flow cytometric monitoring of bacterioplankton phenotypic diversity predicts high population‐specific feeding rates by invasive dreissenid mussels
Authors: Props Ruben , Schmidt Marian L. , Heyse Jasmine , Vanderploeg Henry A. , Boon Nico , Denef Vincent J. 
Published: October 2017

SummarySpecies invasion is an important disturbance to ecosystems worldwide, yet knowledge about the impacts of invasive species on bacterial communities remains sparse. Using a novel approach, we simultaneously detected phenotypic and derived taxonomic change in a natural bacterioplankton community when subjected to feeding pressure by quagga mussels, a widespread aquatic invasive species. We detected a significant decrease in diversity within 1 h of feeding and a total diversity loss of 11.6 ± 4.1% after 3 h. This loss of microbial diversity was caused by the selective removal of high nucleic acid populations (29 ± 5% after 3 h). We were able to track the community diversity at high temporal resolution by calculating phenotypic diversity estimates from flow cytometry (FCM) data of minute amounts of sample. Through parallel FCM and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analysis of environments spanning a broad diversity range, we showed that the two approaches resulted in highly correlated diversity measures and captured the same seasonal and lake‐specific patterns in community composition. Based on our results, we predict that selective feeding by invasive dreissenid mussels directly impacts the microbial component of the carbon cycle, as it may drive bacterioplankton communities toward less diverse and potentially less productive states.
Poor nutrition from first foods: A cross‐sectional study of complementary feeding of infants and young children in six remote Aboriginal communities across northern Australia
Authors: Leonard Dympna , Aquino Danielle , Hadgraft Nyssa , Thompson Fintan , Marley Julia V. 
Published: October 2017

AimTo describe the first foods of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and young children who were recruited to a nutrition promotion and anaemia prevention program conducted from 2010 to 2012, in six remote communities across northern Australia.MethodsFood records (24‐hour diet history, food variety checklist) were completed on recruitment by interview with a parent or carer. Cross‐sectional analysis assessed the proportion of participants consuming recommended and not‐recommended foods and drinks and meeting recommendations for meal frequency and dietary diversity.ResultsOf 245 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants aged 6–24 months, 227 (92.7%) had a recruitment food record. On the previous day, most (67.4%) had breastmilk, nearly all (98.2%) ate solid food, but only 13% ate fruit, 33% had neither fruit nor vegetables, and 25% had sweet drinks. Children living in smaller households (3–5 people) were more likely to meet the criteria for frequency of meals than those living in larger households of 12–31 people (93% vs 78%, P = 0.012 for trend over household size). Only 30% met the criteria for dietary diversity. Where information was available (n = 91), dietary diversity was adequate more often in ‘pay week’ compared to ‘not pay week’ (31.3% vs 9.3%, P = 0.007).ConclusionSupport for current beneficial breast‐feeding practices and promotion of nutrient‐dense complementary foods, need to be embedded in initiatives for improved family food security. Good nutrition in early life can reduce the disparity in health, education and economic status between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.
To pace or not to pace: a pilot study of four‐ and five‐gaited Icelandic horses homozygous for the DMRT3 ‘Gait Keeper’ mutation
Authors: Jäderkvist Fegraeus K. , Hirschberg I. , Árnason T. , Andersson L. , Velie B. D. , Andersson L. S. , Lindgren G. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThe Icelandic horse is a breed known mainly for its ability to perform the ambling four‐beat gait ‘tölt’ and the lateral two‐beat gait pace. The natural ability of the breed to perform these alternative gaits is highly desired by breeders. Therefore, the discovery that a nonsense mutation (C>A) in the DMRT3 gene was the main genetic factor for horses' ability to perform gaits in addition to walk, trot and canter was of great interest. Although several studies have demonstrated that homozygosity for the DMRT3 mutation is important for the ability to pace, only about 70% of the homozygous mutant (AA) Icelandic horses are reported to pace. The aim of the study was to genetically compare four‐ and five‐gaited (i.e. horses with and without the ability to pace) AA Icelandic horses by performing a genome‐wide association (GWA) analysis. All horses (n = 55) were genotyped on the 670K Axiom Equine Genotyping Array, and a GWA analysis was performed using the genabel package in r. No SNP demonstrated genome‐wide significance, implying that the ability to pace goes beyond the presence of a single gene variant. Despite its limitations, the current study provides additional information regarding the genetic complexity of pacing ability in horses. However, to fully understand the genetic differences between four‐ and five‐gaited AA horses, additional studies with larger sample materials and consistent phenotyping are needed.
Use of D‐dimer measurement to guide anticoagulant treatment in recurrent pregnancy loss associated with antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Bao Shi Hua , Sheng Shi Le , Liao Hong , Zhou Qian , Frempong Sophia Twum , Tu Wei Yan 
Published: October 2017

ProblemTo examine whether the level of plasma D‐dimer can guide anticoagulant treatment in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).MethodsA total of 1096 RPL women with APS between 2012 and 2015 in a single‐center hospital were randomly divided into two groups (group A, 75 mg of low‐dose aspirin [LDA] daily; group B, 75 mg of LDA plus 4100 U of low molecular weight heparin [LMWH] subcutaneously daily); 1015 of the total successfully completed the trial. Plasma D‐dimer level and live birth rates were estimated.ResultsFor APS women with an elevated D‐dimer level at baseline, higher live birth rates were reached in LDA plus LMWH group compared to LDA alone group (92.71% vs 61.68%, P < .0001); however, no significant differences were found between the two groups of women with a normal D‐dimer level (87.08% vs 83.76%, P = .48). Women with a normal D‐dimer level at all blood draw points had the highest live birth rates (92.88%), as compared with those with persistently abnormal D‐dimer at all blood draw points or increased D‐dimer level after treatment (P < .001).ConclusionThe combination therapy with LDA and LMWH is not essential for all APS women, but has proven to be beneficial for women with an elevated D‐dimer level.
Revision gastric bypass after laparoscopic adjustable gastric band: a 10‐year experience at a public teaching hospital
Authors: Carroll James , Kwok Michael , Patel Bhavik , Hopkins George 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundIn Australia, there is limited access to public revisional bariatric procedures. However, the need for such procedures is rising. We investigated the safety and efficacy of band‐to‐bypass procedures in our experience at a public teaching hospital over a period of 10 years.MethodsUsing a prospectively maintained bariatric surgical database, we analysed 91 consecutive planned band‐to‐bypass procedures from 2007 to November 2016. All patients had prior laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands removed and formation of Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass, in one or two stages. Primary outcomes were 30‐day complication rate and excess weight loss from 12 months. The impact of fellows as primary operators on these outcomes was assessed.ResultsEighty‐two patients met the inclusion criteria. Seventy‐one (84.5%) were females. Mean age was 48.8 years (SD: 8.85). Immediate post‐operative complications included six (7.3%) patients with gastrojejunostomy leak, three of whom required conversion to laparotomy, with one mortality (1.22%). Fifty‐two patients had follow‐up of 1 year or more (median: 2.36, range: 1–9.24). Mean excess weight loss at the end of follow‐up was 52.79% (SD: 46.46). Twenty‐eight (34.14%) cases were performed primarily by a fellow under the guidance of an experienced bariatric surgeon, with equivalent results.ConclusionRevisional band‐to‐bypass in the public setting is an effective but complex procedure associated with morbidity. Some risk may be ameliorated by development of selection criteria to exclude certain high‐risk groups. We hope discussion amongst other bariatric groups will further refine this approach.
Letter: the outcome of ulcerative colitis patients undergoing pouch surgery may be determined by pre‐surgical factors. Authors’ reply
Authors: Yanai H. , Ben‐Shachar S. , Mlynarsky L. , Godny L. , Leshno M. , Tulchinsky H. , Dotan I. 
Published: October 2017

This article is linked to Ayubi and Safiri, and Yanai et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14255 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14205.
HBeAg levels at week 24 predict response to 8 years of tenofovir in HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Wong D. , Littlejohn M. , Yuen L. , Jackson K. , Mason H. , Bayliss J. , Rosenberg G. , Gaggar A. , Kitrinos K. , Subramanian M. , Marcellin P. , Buti M. , Janssen H. L. A. , Gane E. , Locarnini S. , Thompson A. , Revill P. A. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryBackgroundHepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion is a treatment endpoint for HBeAg‐positive CHB, and a necessary precursor to HBsAg loss. Biomarkers that predict serological outcomes would be useful.AimTo evaluate the utility of measuring HBeAg levels for predicting HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg loss under long‐term tenofovir (TDF) therapy.MethodsA total of 266 patients were enrolled into a phase III study of TDF vs adefovir (ADV) for 48 weeks in HBeAg‐positive patients, followed by open‐label TDF up to 384 weeks. Serum HBeAg levels were measured for subjects with samples available at both baseline and week 24 of treatment (n = 200). Analysis compared subjects who achieved HBeAg seroconversion by week 384 vs no HBeAg seroconversion.ResultsHBeAg seroconversion rate was 52% by week 384. Time to HBeAg seroconversion was 80 weeks (IQR: 36‐162). HBeAg decline at week 24 was associated with HBeAg seroconversion (1.63 vs 0.90 log10 PEIU/mL, P = .002). The optimal threshold for identifying HBeAg seroconversion was HBeAg decline ≥2.2 log10 PEIU/mL at week 24, with HBeAg seroconversion achieved by 76% of patients, compared to 44% if HBeAg decline <2.2 log10 (P < .0001). HBeAg decline ≥2.2 log10 PEIU/mL at week 24 was associated with HBsAg loss in genotype A or D patients (38% vs 15%, P = .03). Precore/basal core promotor variants were associated with lower baseline HBeAg levels, but not HBeAg seroconversion.ConclusionDecline in HBeAg levels by week 24 was associated with HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg loss in HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients treated with long‐term TDF.
Ledipasvir and tenofovir drug interaction in human immunodeficiency virus–hepatitis C virus coinfected patients: Impact on tenofovir trough concentrations and renal safety
Authors: Solas Caroline , Bregigeon Sylvie , Faucher‐Zaegel Olivia , Quaranta Sylvie , Obry‐Roguet Véronique , Tamalet Catherine , Lacarelle Bruno , Poizot‐Martin Isabelle 
Published: October 2017

We evaluate the impact of ledipasvir on both tenofovir plasma trough concentration and estimated glomerular renal function in human immunodeficiency virus–hepatitis C virus coinfected patients receiving a tenofovir‐based antiretroviral regimen and treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. Twenty‐six patients [81% male, median age: 51 years; hepatitis C virus genotype 1(75%)/4(15%)] were included. Tenofovir trough concentration (interquartile range) increased from 78 ng ml–1 (53–110) at baseline to 141 ng ml–1 (72–176) at 1 month (P = 0.003). No significant difference on estimated glomerular renal function using both Cockroft–Gault and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formulae, respectively, [median (interquartile range)] was observed between baseline [101.3 ml min–1 (91.1–114.1); 95.6 ml min–1 (86.5–111.2)], 1 month [102.4 ml min–1 (89.8–112.9), P = 0.26; 92.5 ml min–1 (88.1–114.3), P = 0.27], end‐of‐treatment [96.5 ml min–1 (82.4–115.4), P = 0.39; 95.4 ml min–1 (84.2–105.4), P = 0.16] and 12 weeks after the end of treatment [100.5 ml min–1 (83.3–111.9), P = 0.24; 93.4 ml min–1 (82.2–103.5), P = 0.16]. Three patients progressed from chronic kidney disease stage 1 to stage 2 at 12 weeks post‐treatment. A significant increase in tenofovir exposure through P‐glycoprotein inhibition by ledipasvir was confirmed without significant impact on glomerular renal function in our population with normal renal function or mild renal impairment.
Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dynamics malfunction are linked in Pelizaeus‐Merzbacher disease
Authors: Ruiz Montserrat , Bégou Mélina , Launay Nathalie , Ranea‐Robles Pablo , Bianchi Patrizia , López‐Erauskin Jone , Morató Laia , Guilera Cristina , Petit Bérengère , Vaurs‐Barriere Catherine , Guéret‐Gonthier Céline , Bonnet‐Dupeyron Marie‐Noëlle , Fourcade Stéphane , Auwerx Johan , Boespflug‐Tanguy Odile , Pujol Aurora 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPelizaeus‐Merzbacher disease (PMD) is a fatal hypomyelinating disorder characterized by early impairment of motor development, nystagmus, choreoathetotic movements, ataxia and progressive spasticity. PMD is caused by variations in the proteolipid protein gene PLP1, which encodes the two major myelin proteins of the central nervous system, PLP and its spliced isoform DM20, in oligodendrocytes. Large duplications including the entire PLP1 gene are the most frequent causative mutation leading to the classical form of PMD. The Plp1 overexpressing mouse model (PLP‐tg66/66) develops a phenotype very similar to human PMD, with early and severe motor dysfunction and a dramatic decrease in lifespan. The sequence of cellular events that cause neurodegeneration and ultimately death is poorly understood. In this work, we analyzed patient‐derived fibroblasts and spinal cords of the PLP‐tg66/66 mouse model, and identified redox imbalance, with altered antioxidant defense and oxidative damage to several enzymes involved in ATP production, such as glycolytic enzymes, creatine kinase and mitochondrial proteins from the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. We also evidenced malfunction of the mitochondria compartment with increased ROS production and depolarization in PMD patient's fibroblasts, which was prevented by the antioxidant N‐acetyl‐cysteine. Finally, we uncovered an impairment of mitochondrial dynamics in patient's fibroblasts which may help explain the ultrastructural abnormalities of mitochondria morphology detected in spinal cords from PLP‐tg66/66 mice. Altogether, these results underscore the link between redox and metabolic homeostasis in myelin diseases, provide insight into the pathophysiology of PMD, and may bear implications for tailored pharmacological intervention.
Heterogeneous distribution of alectinib in neuroblastoma xenografts revealed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging: a pilot study
Authors: Ryu Shoraku , Hayashi Mitsuhiro , Aikawa Hiroaki , Okamoto Isamu , Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Hamada Akinobu 
Published: October 2017

Background and PurposeThe penetration of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor alectinib in neuroblastomas and the relationship between alectinib and ALK expression are unknown. The aim of this study was to perform a quantitative investigation of the inter‐ and intra‐tumoural distribution of alectinib in different neuroblastoma xenograft models using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization MS imaging (MALDI‐MSI).Experimental ApproachThe distribution of alectinib in NB1 (ALK amplification) and SK‐N‐FI (ALK wild‐type) xenograft tissues was analysed using MALDI‐MSI. The abundance of alectinib in tumours and intra‐tumoural areas was quantified using ion signal intensities from MALDI‐MSI after normalization by correlation with LC‐MS/MS.Key ResultsThe distribution of alectinib was heterogeneous in neuroblastomas. The penetration of alectinib was not significantly different between ALK amplification and ALK wide‐type tissues using both LC‐MS/MS concentrations and MSI intensities. Normalization with an internal standard increased the quantitative property of MSI by adjusting for the ion suppression effect. The distribution of alectinib in different intra‐tumoural areas can alternatively be quantified from MS images by correlation with LC‐MS/MS.Conclusion and ImplicationsThe penetration of alectinib into tumour tissues may not be homogenous or influenced by ALK expression in the early period after single‐dose administration. MALDI‐MSI may prove to be a valuable pharmaceutical method for elucidating the mechanism of action of drugs by clarifying their microscopic distribution in heterogeneous tissues.
Multinationals’ profit response to tax differentials: Effect size and shifting channels
Authors: Heckemeyer Jost H. , Overesch Michael 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis paper provides a quantitative review of the empirical literature on profit‐shifting behaviour of multinational firms. We synthesize the evidence from 27 studies and find a substantial response of profit measures to international tax rate differentials. Accounting for confounding factors by means of meta‐regressions, we predict a tax semi‐elasticity of subsidiary pre‐tax profits of about 0.8. Moreover, we disentangle the tax response by means of financial planning from the transfer pricing and licensing channel. Back‐of‐the‐envelope calculations suggest that transfer pricing and licensing are the dominant profit‐shifting channels.
Predictors of mental health problems in adolescents living with HIV in Namibia
Authors: Gentz Shelene G. , Calonge Romano Isabel , Martínez‐Arias Rosario , Ruiz‐Casares Mónica 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundLittle research in sub‐Saharan Africa has looked at factors that predict mental health problems in adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV). This study examines the psychological impact of HIV in adolescents in Namibia, including risk and protective factors associated with mental health.MethodsNinety‐nine fully disclosed ALHIV between the ages of 12 and 18 were interviewed at a State Hospital in Windhoek. A structured questionnaire assessed mental health, using the SDQ (Goodman, 1997), sociodemographic factors, poverty, social support, adherence and stigma.ResultsMean age was 14.3 years, 52.5% were female and most were healthy. Twelve percent scored in the clinical range for total mental health difficulties and 22% for emotional symptoms. Poverty was associated with more total mental health difficulties, t(96) = −2.63, p = .010, and more emotional symptoms, t(96) = −3.45, p = .001, whereas better social support was a protective factor, particularly caregiver support (r = −.337, p = .001). Adherence problems, HIV‐related stigma and disclosing one's own HIV status to others were also associated with more total mental health difficulties. Poverty (β = −.231, p = .023) and stigma (β = .268, p = .009) were the best predictors for total mental health difficulties, whereas stigma (β = .314, p = .002) predicted emotional symptoms. Social support had a protective effect on peer problems (p = .001, β = −.349).ConclusionsSeveral contextual factors associated with poorer mental health in ALHIV are identified.