bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low levels of short‐ and medium‐chain acylcarnitines in HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Waagsbø Bjørn , Svardal Asbjørn , Ueland Thor , Landrø Linn , Øktedalen Olav , Berge Rolf K. , Flo Trude H. , Aukrust Pål , Damås Jan K. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundCarnitine plays an essential role in fatty acid metabolism, exerts substantial antioxidant action and regulates immune functions. We hypothesized that a disturbed carnitine metabolism could be involved in progression of HIV infection.Materials and methodsPlasma levels of L‐carnitine, its precursors, and short‐, medium‐ and long‐chain acylcarnitines were analysed with HPLC/mass spectrometry in HIV‐infected patients with various disease severities including patients who acquired Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection. In vitro, we examined the MAC‐purified protein derivate (PPD)‐induced release of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with either high or low plasma levels of acylcarnitines.ResultsPlasma levels of the short‐chain (e.g. propionyl‐carnitine) and medium‐chain (e.g. octanoyl‐carnitine) acylcarnitines were reduced in patients with advanced HIV infection. These acylcarnitines gradually decreased in rapid progressors, while minimal changes were observed in the nonprogressors. Plasma levels of propionyl‐carnitine and octanoyl‐carnitine significantly increased during antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, ART did not restore levels to those observed in healthy controls. Depletion of propionyl‐carnitine and octanoyl‐carnitine was observed prior to MAC infection, and the release of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ from PBMC was decreased after stimulation with MAC‐PPD in samples from HIV‐infected patients with low levels of propionyl‐carnitine or octanoyl‐carnitine.ConclusionsOur findings suggest an association between disturbed acylcarnitine metabolism, immune dysregulation and disease progression in HIV‐infected patients. Low levels of propionyl‐carnitine and octanoyl‐carnitine were associated with increased susceptibility to MAC infection in HIV patients with advanced disease.
Relative longevity of adult Nezara viridula in field cages of cotton, peanut, and soybean
Authors: Olson D.M. , Ruberson J.R. , Andow D.A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractProducers in the southeastern USA face significant crop losses from the stink bugs Nezara viridula (L.), Euschistus servus (Say), and Chinavia hilaris (Say) (all Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Cotton, peanut, and soybean are major agronomic crops and host plants of stink bugs in the region. We conducted a field plot study to measure the relative longevity of adult, unmated N. viridula males and females caged on peanut, cotton, and soybean to test three hypotheses: (1) differences in mortality are associated with differences in host plant food suitability, (2) mortality rates increase with age, and (3) males have higher mortality than females. Using survival analysis, we found that the sex of the individual did not affect survival rates on any of the three host plants. Survival was significantly higher in cotton and soybean than in peanut. Mortality rates increased with age in peanut, but not in soybean or cotton. The frequency of canopy temperatures above 35 °C was higher in peanut than in soybean. Peanut appears to be a less than ideal habitat in terms of canopy temperature and/or food quality for N. viridula adults. Both, cotton and soybean were equally suitable food resources for N. viridula adults prior to maturation of the plants.
Neuronal central nervous system syndromes probably mediated by autoantibodies
Authors: Chefdeville Aude , Honnorat Jérôme , Hampe Christiane S. , Desestret Virginie 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn the last few years, a rapidly growing number of autoantibodies targeting neuronal cell‐surface antigens have been identified in patients presenting with neurological symptoms. Targeted antigens include ionotropic receptors such as N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor or the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor, metabotropic receptors such as mGluR1 and mGluR5, and other synaptic proteins, some of them belonging to the voltage‐gated potassium channel complex. Importantly, the cell‐surface location of these antigens makes them vulnerable to direct antibody‐mediated modulation. Some of these autoantibodies, generally targeting ionotropic channels or their partner proteins, define clinical syndromes resembling models of pharmacological or genetic disruption of the corresponding antigen, suggesting a direct pathogenic role of the associated autoantibodies. Moreover, the associated neurological symptoms are usually immunotherapy‐responsive, further arguing for a pathogenic effect of the antibodies. Some studies have shown that some patients’ antibodies may have structural and functional in vitro effects on the targeted antigens. Definite proof of the pathogenicity of these autoantibodies has been obtained for just a few through passive transfer experiments in animal models. In this review we present existing and converging evidence suggesting a pathogenic role of some autoantibodies directed against neuronal cell‐surface antigens observed in patients with central nervous system disorders. We describe the main clinical symptoms characterizing the patients and discuss conflicting arguments regarding the pathogenicity of these antibodies.
Biodiversity and ecosystem stability across scales in metacommunities
Authors: Wang Shaopeng , Loreau Michel 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAlthough diversity–stability relationships have been extensively studied in local ecosystems, the global biodiversity crisis calls for an improved understanding of these relationships in a spatial context. Here, we use a dynamical model of competitive metacommunities to study the relationships between species diversity and ecosystem variability across scales. We derive analytic relationships under a limiting case; these results are extended to more general cases with numerical simulations. Our model shows that, while alpha diversity decreases local ecosystem variability, beta diversity generally contributes to increasing spatial asynchrony among local ecosystems. Consequently, both alpha and beta diversity provide stabilising effects for regional ecosystems, through local and spatial insurance effects respectively. We further show that at the regional scale, the stabilising effect of biodiversity increases as spatial environmental correlation increases. Our findings have important implications for understanding the interactive effects of global environmental changes (e.g. environmental homogenisation) and biodiversity loss on ecosystem sustainability at large scales.
The CHESS score: a simple tool for early prediction of shunt dependency after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Jabbarli R. , Bohrer A.‐M. , Pierscianek D. , Müller D. , Wrede K. H. , Dammann P. , El Hindy N. , Özkan N. , Sure U. , Müller O. 
Published: February 2016

Background and PurposeAcute hydrocephalus is an early and common complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, considerably fewer patients develop chronic hydrocephalus requiring shunt placement. Our aim was to develop a risk score for early identification of patients with shunt dependency after SAH.MethodsTwo hundred and forty‐two SAH individuals who were treated in our institution between January 2008 and December 2013 and survived the initial impact were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical parameters within 72 h after the ictus were correlated with shunt dependency. Independent predictors were summarized into a new risk score which was validated in a subsequent SAH cohort treated between January and December 2014.ResultsSeventy‐five patients (31%) underwent shunt placement. Of 23 evaluated variables, only the following five showed independent associations with shunt dependency and were subsequently used to establish the Chronic Hydrocephalus Ensuing from SAH Score (CHESS, 0–8 points): Hunt and Hess grade ≥IV (1 point), location of the ruptured aneurysm in the posterior circulation (1 point), acute hydrocephalus (4 points), the presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (1 point) and early cerebral infarction on follow‐up computed tomography scan (1 point). The CHESS showed strong correlation with shunt dependency (P = 0.0007) and could be successfully validated in both internal SAH cohorts tested. Patients scoring ≥6 CHESS points had significantly higher risk of shunt dependency (P < 0.0001) than other patients.ConclusionThe CHESS may become a valuable diagnostic tool for early estimation of shunt dependency after SAH. Further evaluation and external validation will be required in prospective studies.
Vascular risk factors aggravate cognitive impairment in first‐ever young ischaemic stroke patients
Authors: Lu D. , Ren S. , Zhang J. , Sun D. 
Published: February 2016

Background and purposeYoung ischaemic stroke patients often suffer from cognitive impairment after stroke. However, the risk factors of cognitive impairment are still unclear. This study examined the impact of vascular risk factors (VRFs) on cognitive impairment in first‐ever young ischaemic stroke patients.MethodsSubjects were divided into low (0–1 VRF, n = 27), medium (2–3 VRFs, n = 45) and high‐risk (≥4 VRFs, n = 12) groups according to their number of VRFs. The following VRFs were collected: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, atrial fibrillation, obesity, smoking, excess alcohol consumption, coronary heart disease and hyperhomocysteinaemia. A battery of cognitive assessments was executed 2 weeks after stroke. Differences of cognitive performances between groups were compared. The correlation between VRFs and cognitive function was investigated with an emphasis on discovering the main VRFs.ResultsEighty‐four patients were enrolled in this study eventually. Compared with the low‐risk group, the high‐risk group had significantly worse performance in most of the cognitive domains. VRFs had a correlation with general cognition, executive function, attention and verbal fluency. After adjusting the covariates, VRFs showed a linear correlation with global cognitive function (R = 0.640, P = 0.000), verbal fluency (R = 0.372, P = 0.000), delayed memory (R = 0.327, P = 0.002), visual attention (R = 0.290, P = 0.007) and executive function (R = 0.266, P = 0.015). Amongst all the VRFs, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, smoking and hyperhomocysteinaemia were the main influencing VRFs.ConclusionVascular risk factors aggravate cognitive impairment after young ischaemic stroke. Effective management of VRFs in young adults is urgent and this may reduce the cognitive impairment.
Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity is related to decline in verbal memory in healthy elderly adults
Authors: Yilmaz R. , Behnke S. , Liepelt‐Scarfone I. , Roeben B. , Pausch C. , Runkel A. , Heinzel S. , Niebler R. , Suenkel U. , Eschweiler G. W. , Maetzler W. , Berg D. 
Published: February 2016

Background and purposeDeficits in cognition have been reported in Parkinson's disease (PD) already in the early and even in the pre‐motor stages. Whilst substantia nigra hyperechogenicity measured by transcranial B‐mode sonography (TCS) represents a strong PD marker and is associated with an increased risk for PD in still healthy individuals, its association with cognitive performance in prodromal PD stages is not well established.MethodsTwo different cohorts of healthy elderly individuals were assessed by TCS and two different neuropsychological test batteries covering executive functions, verbal memory, language, visuo‐constructional function and attention. Cognitive performance was compared between individuals with hyperechogenicity (SN+) and without hyperechogenicity (SN−).ResultsIn both cohorts, SN+ individuals performed significantly worse than the SN− group in tests assessing verbal memory (word list delayed recall P = 0.05, logical memory II P < 0.017). Significant differences in Mini‐Mental State Examination score (cohort 1, P = 0.02) and executive function tests (cohort 2, Stroop Color−Word Reading, P = 0.004) could only be shown in one of the two cohorts. No between‐group effects were found in other cognitive tests and domains.ConclusionsThese results indicate that individuals with the PD risk marker SN+ perform worse in verbal memory compared to SN− independent of the assessment battery. Memory performance should be assessed in detail in individuals at risk for PD.
The crucial role of IL‐22 and its receptor in thymus and activation regulated chemokine production and T‐cell migration by house dust mite extract
Authors: Jang Mirim , Kim Hyemin , Kim Yejin , Choi Jiyea , Jeon Jane , Hwang Youngil , Kang Jae Seung , Lee Wang Jae 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHouse dust mite (HDM) is known as one of the factors that causes atopic dermatitis (AD). Interleukin (IL)‐22 and thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC) are related to skin inflammatory disease and highly expressed in AD lesions. However, the effects of HDM on IL‐22 production in T cells and on TARC production and IL‐22Rα receptor expression in keratinocytes are unknown. To identify the role of HDM in keratinocytes and T cells, we investigated IL‐22Rα expression and TARC production in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT and IL‐22 production in T cells treated with HDM extract as well as their roles in HDM‐induced skin inflammation. HDM extract not only increased IL‐22Rα expression and TARC production in HaCaT but also enhanced IL‐22, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interferon (IFN)‐γ production in T cells. The HDM extract‐induced IL‐22 from T cells significantly increased the production of IL‐1α, IL‐6 and TARC in HaCaT cells. In addition, we found that TARC produced in HDM extract‐treated HaCaT induced T‐cell recruitment. These results suggest that there is a direct involvement of HDM extract‐induced IL‐22 in TARC production and T‐cell migration. Taken together, TARC production in HaCaT through the interaction between IL‐22 and IL‐22Rα facilitates T‐cell migration. These data show one of the reasons for inflammation in the skin lesions of AD patients.
Interleukin‐15 inhibits the expression of differentiation markers induced by Ca2+ in keratinocytes
Authors: Luo Xin , Jin Rui , Wang Fang , Jia Bo , Luan Kang , Cheng Feng‐Wei , Li Lei , Sun Liang‐Dan , Yang Sen , Zhang Sheng‐Quan , Zhang Xue‐Jun 
Published: February 2016

AbstractInterleukin (IL)‐15 is an important proinflammatory cytokine that can protect epidermal keratinocytes (KCs) from ultraviolet‐induced apoptosis and plays a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. However, the impact of IL‐15 on KC differentiation remains unknown. In this study, isolated human primary epidermal KCs were treated with various concentrations of IL‐15 for different times, and the expression of differentiation markers (keratin 1, involucrin and loricrin) and p53 as well as the activation of ERK, AKT and Notch induced by IL‐15 in the absence or presence of Ca2+ was detected by real‐time PCR and Western blot. The results showed that stimulation with Ca2+ alone increased the expression of KC differentiation markers and p53 and promoted the activation of Notch1. Pretreatment with IL‐15 resulted in a decrease in the Ca2+‐induced expression of KC differentiation markers and p53. Additionally, Ca2+ continually inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and activated AKT, and IL‐15 reduced the effect of Ca2+ on ERK1/2 and AKT. FR180204, a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, slightly attenuated the effect of Ca2+ on the expression of differentiation markers and p53 and the activation of Notch1. In contrast, MK‐2206, an inhibitor of pAKT, strongly blocked the expression of the differentiation markers and p53 and the activation of Notch1. An anti‐IL‐15 antibody neutralized the effect of IL‐15 on KC differentiation. These results indicate that IL‐15 inhibits the Ca2+‐induced differentiation of KCs, mainly via the attenuation of Ca2+‐stimulated PI3K‐AKT signalling.
Fair trade fish: consumer support for broader seafood sustainability
Authors: McClenachan Loren , Dissanayake Sahan T M , Chen Xiaojie 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSustainable seafood initiatives began with efforts to promote and certify seafood sourced from well‐managed stocks caught with a reduced impact on the marine environment. More recently, social equity in fisheries has been the subject of increased concern with suggestions that seafood cannot be certified as sustainable if its production results in social harm, such as unfair wages or the use of forced or child labour. Together with local seafood, which has been promoted as an eco‐friendly and socially conscious alternative to globally sourced seafood, these initiatives signal a growing interest in fisheries as a social–ecological system. However, this increasingly complex landscape of environmental sustainability and social justice may be difficult for the public and seafood consumers to navigate. Here, we investigate consumer understanding of and responsiveness to a range of seafood sustainability initiatives by testing preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for seafood across the three types of sustainability: ecological sustainability, local origin and social sustainability. More than half of respondents demonstrated good understandings of both ecological sustainability and social sustainability with respect to seafood, and respondents were willing to pay more for all three types of sustainability. However, WTP for social sustainability benefits was the lowest, and consumers perceived a high degree of overlap of these benefits with those from locally sourced seafood. These results indicate that seafood certification taking a system‐wide approach has potential to succeed, but that it will need to emerge in concert with the increased public education about social problems associated with globalized fisheries.
Multimodel approaches in shark and ray growth studies: strengths, weaknesses and the future
Authors: Smart Jonathan J , Chin Andrew , Tobin Andrew J , Simpfendorfer Colin A 
Published: February 2016

AbstractMultimodel frameworks are common in contemporary elasmobranch growth literature. These techniques offer a proposed improvement over individual growth functions by incorporating additional candidate models with alternative characteristics. Sigmoid functions (e.g. Gompertz and logistic) are a popular alternative to the commonly used von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) as they are hypothesized to better suit certain taxa based on body shape (such as batoids) or reproductive mode (such as egg‐layers). However, this hypothesis has never been tested. This study examined 74 elasmobranch multimodel growth studies by comparing the growth curves of their respective candidate models. Hypotheses regarding model performances were rejected as the VBGF was equally likely to fit best for all taxa and reproductive modes. Subsequently, no individual model was suited to be used a priori. Differences between candidate model fits were greatest at age zero with Gompertz and logistic functions providing estimates that were 15% and 23% larger on average than the VBGF, respectively. However, length‐at‐age estimates of the different models became negligible at older ages. Differences between candidate models were mostly small (≤5%), and the multimodel framework only marginally affected length‐at‐age estimates. However, there were cases where some candidate models provided inappropriate fits that contrasted considerably to the best fitting model. In some of these instances, a single‐model framework could have yielded biologically unrealistic growth estimates. Therefore, no study could pre‐empt whether or not it required a multimodel framework. A framework was subsequently recommended to maximize the accuracy of model fits for elasmobranch length‐at‐age estimates using multimodel approaches.
Numerical methods of multiaxial fatigue life prediction for elastomers under variable amplitude loadings
Authors: Chung J. , Kim N. H. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn this paper, numerical methods of fatigue life prediction for elastomers subjected to multidirectional, variable amplitude loadings are presented. Because experiments and numerical methods use different stress measures in large deformation, transformation between nominal stress and the second Piola–Kirchhoff stress is performed before fatigue life calculation. In order to incorporate the Mullins effect, the material properties of elastomers are calculated after an initial transition period. An efficient interpolation scheme using load stress/strain curves under unidirectional loading is proposed based on the fatigue characteristic of elastomers. A rainflow counting method with multi‐stress components is developed for variable amplitude loadings, and the critical plane method is applied to find the plane with the maximum damage parameter. Fatigue life predictions using the proposed numerical method are validated against experimental results. As a practical example, the fatigue life of a rubber engine mount is predicted using the proposed numerical method.
Experimental whole‐lake increase of dissolved organic carbon concentration produces unexpected increase in crustacean zooplankton density
Authors: Kelly Patrick T. , Craig Nicola , Solomon Christopher T. , Weidel Brian C. , Zwart Jacob A. , Jones Stuart E. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe observed pattern of lake browning, or increased terrestrial dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, across the northern hemisphere has amplified the importance of understanding how consumer productivity varies with DOC concentration. Results from comparative studies suggest these increased DOC concentrations may reduce crustacean zooplankton productivity due to reductions in resource quality and volume of suitable habitat. Although these spatial comparisons provide an expectation for the response of zooplankton productivity as DOC concentration increases, we still have an incomplete understanding of how zooplankton respond to temporal increases in DOC concentration within a single system. As such, we used a whole‐lake manipulation, in which DOC concentration was increased from 8 to 11 mg L−1 in one basin of a manipulated lake, to test the hypothesis that crustacean zooplankton production should subsequently decrease. In contrast to the spatially derived expectation of sharp DOC‐mediated decline, we observed a small increase in zooplankton densities in response to our experimental increase in DOC concentration of the treatment basin. This was due to significant increases in gross primary production and resource quality (lower seston carbon‐to‐phosphorus ratio; C:P). These results demonstrate that temporal changes in lake characteristics due to increased DOC may impact zooplankton in ways that differ from those observed in spatial surveys. We also identified significant interannual variability across our study region, which highlights potential difficulty in detecting temporal responses of organism abundances to gradual environmental change (e.g., browning).
Vulnerability of the unbanked: evidence from a developing country
Authors: Kamran Sohail , Uusitalo Outi 
Published: February 2016

AbstractFinancial exclusion is an apparent phenomenon globally, the majority of people without bank accounts living in the developing countries. Those who lack access to financial services could experience vulnerability. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to unfold the vulnerability of the low‐income unbanked consumers in a Pakistani context. Qualitative data were gathered from low‐income unbanked consumers through in‐depth interviews. The findings suggest that unbanked consumers are vulnerable in many ways. The participants faced several negative consequences due to their financial exclusion, which resulted into their personal, economic and social detriment. Based on our study findings, we provide managerial and public policy implications for the well‐being of the low‐income unbanked consumers. Lastly, study limitations and future study guidelines are discussed.