bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multilevel Differences in Spontaneous Social Attention in Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Chawarska Katarzyna , Ye Saier , Shic Frederick , Chen Lisha 
Published: December 2015

This study examined the latent structure of spontaneous social attention in 11‐ to 26‐month‐olds with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n = 90) and typically developing (n = 79) controls. Application of the joint and individual variance explained decomposition technique revealed that attention was driven by a condition‐independent tuning into the dynamic social scenes construct and context‐specific constructs capturing selection of the most relevant social features for processing. Gaze behavior in ASD is characterized by a limited tuning into the social scenes and by a selection of atypical targets for processing. While the former may be due to early disruption of the reward circuitry leading to limited appreciation of the behavioral relevance of social information, the latter may represent secondary deficits reflecting limited knowledge about social partners.
Human memory CD4+ T cell response to the major dog allergen Can f 5, prostatic kallikrein
Authors: Kailaanmäki A. , Kinnunen T. , Rönkä A. , Rytkönen‐Nissinen M. , Lidholm J. , Mattsson L. , Randell J. , Virtanen T. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryBackgroundHuman CD4+ T cell responses to important animal allergens are still insufficiently understood.ObjectiveTo comprehensively characterize in vitro and ex vivo the peripheral blood memory CD4+ T cell responses of subjects with and without allergy to the major dog allergen Can f 5, the only known animal allergen in the kallikrein family of proteins.MethodsCan f 5‐specific memory CD4+ T cell lines (TCLs) were established from the peripheral blood of 12 subjects with and 12 subjects without allergy to Can f 5 and characterized for their functional and phenotypic properties. The results were evaluated with those obtained ex vivo with a novel CD154 enrichment method. The epitopes recognized by the Can f 5‐specific TCLs were determined with 72 overlapping 16‐mer peptides covering the sequence of the allergen.ResultsCan f 5‐specific TCLs were obtained at about tenfold higher frequency from allergic than from non‐allergic subjects. Functionally, the TCLs of allergic subjects displayed a Th2‐biased cytokine phenotype and increased T cell receptor avidity, whereas the TCLs of non‐allergic subjects displayed a Th1‐/Th0‐biased cytokine phenotype and lower TCR avidity. The higher frequency and the Th2 phenotype of Can f 5‐specific memory CD4+ T cells in allergic subjects were confirmed by the CD154 enrichment method ex vivo. Six distinct T cell epitope regions of Can f 5 were predominantly recognized by the TCLs from allergic subjects.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceCan f 5‐specific memory CD4+ T cell responses differ considerably between subjects with and without allergy, as assessed by both in vitro and ex vivo approaches. Peptides containing the dominant T cell epitopes of Can f 5 can be employed for developing peptide‐based immunotherapy for dog allergy.
Cyclooxygenase 2: its regulation, role and impact in airway inflammation
Authors: Rumzhum N. N. , Ammit A. J. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryCyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2: official gene symbol – PTGS2) has long been regarded as playing a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation in respiratory diseases including asthma. COX‐2 can be rapidly and robustly expressed in response to a diverse range of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and mediators. Thus, increased levels of COX‐2 protein and prostanoid metabolites serve as key contributors to pathobiology in respiratory diseases typified by dysregulated inflammation. But COX‐2 products may not be all bad: prostanoids can exert anti‐inflammatory/bronchoprotective functions in airways in addition to their pro‐inflammatory actions. Herein, we outline COX‐2 regulation and review the diverse stimuli known to induce COX‐2 in the context of airway inflammation. We discuss some of the positive and negative effects that COX‐2/prostanoids can exert in in vitro and in vivo models of airway inflammation, and suggest that inhibiting COX‐2 expression to repress airway inflammation may be too blunt an approach; because although it might reduce the unwanted effects of COX‐2 activation, it may also negate the positive effects. Evidence suggests that prostanoids produced via COX‐2 upregulation show diverse actions (and herein we focus on prostaglandin E2 as a key example); these can be either beneficial or deleterious and their impact on respiratory disease can be dictated by local concentration and specific interaction with individual receptors. We propose that understanding the regulation of COX‐2 expression and associated receptor‐mediated functional outcomes may reveal number of critical steps amenable to pharmacological intervention. These may prove invaluable in our quest towards future development of novel anti‐inflammatory pharmacotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of airway diseases.
Effect of postoperative proton pump inhibitor therapy on voice outcomes following phonomicrosurgery for vocal fold polyp: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Lee Y.C. , Na S.Y. , Kim H.J. , Yang C.W. , Kim S.I. , Byun Y.S. , Jung A.R. , Ryu I.Y. , Eun Y.G. 
Published: December 2015

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of a postoperative proton pump inhibitor (PPI) on voice outcomes after phonomicrosurgery in patients with vocal fold polyp.Study DesignThis is a prospective, randomized controlled study.SettingsThis study was carried out in a tertiary care referral medical centre.ParticipantsA total of 48 patients underwent phonomicrosurgery for vocal fold polyps. After surgery, patients were randomized to the PPI group (lansoprazole 15 mg twice daily for 2 months) and the non‐PPI group.Main outcome measuresVoice handicap index (VHI) and perceptual and acoustic voice analysis were evaluated at baseline and 2 months after surgery.ResultsAmong 48 enrolled patients, a total of 42 patients [non‐PPI group (n = 23), PPI group (n = 19)] completed the study. The VHI, perceptual and most acoustic parameters significantly improved in both groups after surgery. However, there was no significant difference in the per cent of change in those parameters.ConclusionPostoperative PPI treatment did not significantly influence voice outcomes after phonomicrosurgery in patients with vocal fold polyp.
Could soluble urokinase plasminogen receptor (suPAR) be used as a diagnostic biomarker for ventilator‐associated pneumonia?
Authors: Sunnetcioglu Aysel , Sunnetcioglu Mahmut , Adıyaman Fırat , Binici Irfan , Soyoral Lokman 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundSoluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is a biomarker that is increasingly used for evaluation of systemic inflammation. This study was performed to investigate whether suPAR may possess a diagnostic value in patients with ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP).MethodsThis clinical study was performed in the anesthesia intensive care units (ICUs) of our university. In addition to descriptive data, WBC, serum levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and suPAR prior to and after development of VAP were noted and compared in 31 patients (22 men, 9 women) diagnosed with VAP (Study Group) and 19 patients without VAP (Control Group) in ICU (14 men, 5 women).ResultsThe suPAR (P = 0.023), CRP (P = 0.037), WBCs (P = 0.024) in patients with VAP were significantly higher than patients without VAP. There was no remarkable difference in terms of WBCs (P = 0.052) and suPAR levels (P = 0.616) between groups on the first day of connection to mechanical ventilator. The suPAR and CRP levels in patients with VAP were significantly higher than prior to development of VAP (P = 0.001 for both). Area under curve value after diagnosis of pneumonia was found 0.248 (P = 0.002).ConclusionTo conclude, our results suggest that suPAR can be a useful diagnostic biomarker in patients with VAP. However, clinical trials on larger series are warranted to explore the clinical significance more accurately.
Cutaneous histiocytoid Sweet syndrome and its relationship to hematological diseases
Authors: Bush James W. , Wick Mark R. 
Published: December 2015

Sweet syndrome (SS) was described over 50 years ago as a distinctive form of neutrophilic dermatosis. It may be idiopathic, drug‐induced or paraneoplastic, and in the last of those subtypes, myeloproliferative diseases are prominently represented. A peculiar variant of SS is termed ‘histiocytoid’ SS (HSS), and early accounts of that condition asserted that it showed no linkage to hematological disorders. We herein report two additional cases of HSS – both of which were associated with myeloid dyscrasias – together with a review of the pertinent literature. Along with our observations, the latter process appears to contradict the contention that HSS has no relationship to hematopoietic diseases; between 35 and 55% of reported cases have indeed shown such an association, usually with myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes.
Endoscopic resection versus surgery for early gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sun Kaiyu , Chen Shuling , Ye Jinning , Wu Hui , Peng Jianjun , He Yulong , Xu Jianbo 
Published: December 2015

ObjectivesEndoscopic resection (ER) is becoming an increasingly used treatment option for early gastric cancer (EGC); however, data comparing the long‐term outcomes of ER and surgery are limited. Accordingly, we here aimed to perform a meta‐analysis to clarify the long‐term outcomes and safety of ER and surgery for EGC.MethodsLiterature on the direct comparison of ER and surgery for EGC was retrieved from the Medline, PubMed and Scopus databases. We selected the eligible studies, extracted data, and assessed the quality scores according to the guidelines. The overall survival (OS), recurrence‐free survival (RFS), and adverse event rates were investigated, and the pooled hazard ratio (HR), odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated.ResultsNine retrospective studies were identified, including 973 and 1190 participants undergoing ER and surgery, respectively. There were no significant differences regarding the OS (HR: 0.995, 95% CI: 0.836‐1.185; P = 0.959) and adverse event rates (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.20‐1.28, P = 0.148) between ER and gastrectomy. However, patients undergoing ER had significantly shorter RFS (HR: 7.226, 95% CI: 1.718‐30.400, P = 0.007) than those undergoing gastrectomy.ConclusionsDespite the limitations of this review, including the retrospective nature of all included studies, our results suggest that ER might be a feasible and safe treatment strategy compared to that of gastrectomy for EGC; however, careful endoscopic surveillance is needed for ensuring favorable outcomes. These findings should be confirmed in further large‐scale, prospective, randomized, controlled trials from different countries.
Variation in prey selection and foraging success associated with early‐life ontogeny and habitat use of American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula)
Authors: Hintz William D. , MacVey Nicolle K. , Asher Allison M. , Porreca Anthony P. , Garvey James E. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMany fishes are planktivorous during early life and switch to piscivory or consume larger food items as ontogeny progresses. In contrast, paddlefish start as particulate feeders and later become filter feeders. Few studies have identified food items essential for paddlefish growth, survival and recruitment surrounding this ontogenetic diet shift. The objectives of this study were to investigate (i) prey types consumed by paddlefish, (ii) variability in prey selection surrounding an ontogenetic diet shift and (iii) whether habitat affected paddlefish prey selection or foraging success. We analysed gut contents of 189 wild age‐0 paddlefish from the middle Mississippi River (MMR) and also conducted a laboratory experiment to address these objectives. We found that paddlefish primarily foraged on benthic macroinvertebrates in the MMR, which differed from previous studies in lentic systems, suggesting young paddlefish prey selection may be labile depending on habitat (i.e., lotic versus lentic). Dominant prey of wild‐caught and experimental age‐0 paddlefish were caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera), followed by hemipterans and amphipods. We found little evidence that habitat attributes affected foraging success, but the most common prey items consumed were associated with wing dike habitat and the upstream and downstream tips of alluvial islands. Our experimental study revealed that if provided a mixture of organisms, age‐0 paddlefish will primarily consume macroinvertebrates while age‐1 paddlefish will mainly filter zooplankton. Overall results suggest young paddlefish prey selection can be highly variable, but also heavily reliant on a narrow group of prey resources.
The diagnostic utility of 3D electroencephalography source imaging in pediatric epilepsy surgery
Authors: Russo Angelo , Jayakar Prasanna , Lallas Matt , Miller Ian , Hyslop Ann , Korman Brandon , Dunoyer Catalina , Resnick Trevor , Duchowny Michael 
Published: December 2015

SummaryObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the utility of three‐dimensional electroencephalography source imaging (3D‐ESI) with low‐resolution electroencephalographic data in the pediatric noninvasive presurgical evaluation, and to compare the findings with positron emission tomography (PET) and ictal single‐photon emission computed tomography (iSPECT).MethodsWe retrospectively selected 60 patients from a database of 594 patients who underwent excisional surgery for drug‐resistant epilepsy. Patients were <18 years at time of surgery, had at least one presurgical volumetric brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and at least 1 year of outcome data. 3D‐ESI was performed with NeuroScan software CURRY V.7.0. For each patient the surgical resection was planned utilizing 3D‐ESI as an adjunctive tool to supplement MRI and electrocorticographic data. Our analyses addressed three critical variables: pathology (focal cortical dysplasia vs. other pathologies), imaging (MRI negative vs. positive cases), and surgery (temporal resection vs. extratemporal and multilobar resections). We also compared the localizing utility and surgical outcome of 3D‐ESI findings with PET, iSPECT, and the colocalized surgical resection. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Version 20.ResultsMean age at surgery was 11.18 years (range 1–18 years). 3D‐ESI showed a strong correlation with the surgical resection cavity (65.0%), particularly within the temporal lobe. 3D‐ESI demonstrated better localization in MRI‐negative cases (78.6%), which was not statistically significant. 3D‐ESI also correlated with a superior surgical outcome profile compared to PET and iSPECT.SignificanceOur findings demonstrate that 3D‐ESI data obtained with low‐resolution electroencephalography achieves reasonably accurate noninvasive localization of epileptic spikes in pediatric focal epilepsy, especially in temporal lobe and MRI‐negative cases, and is comparable to iSPECT and PET. Given its lesser expense and lack of radiation exposure, 3D‐ESI is a useful and efficient tool for evaluating surgical candidacy in pediatric epilepsy surgery centers, particularly if PET and iSPECT are unavailable.
Large‐scale degradation of Amazonian freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Castello Leandro , Macedo Marcia N. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHydrological connectivity regulates the structure and function of Amazonian freshwater ecosystems and the provisioning of services that sustain local populations. This connectivity is increasingly being disrupted by the construction of dams, mining, land‐cover changes, and global climate change. This review analyzes these drivers of degradation, evaluates their impacts on hydrological connectivity, and identifies policy deficiencies that hinder freshwater ecosystem protection. There are 154 large hydroelectric dams in operation today, and 21 dams under construction. The current trajectory of dam construction will leave only three free‐flowing tributaries in the next few decades if all 277 planned dams are completed. Land‐cover changes driven by mining, dam and road construction, agriculture and cattle ranching have already affected ~20% of the Basin and up to ~50% of riparian forests in some regions. Global climate change will likely exacerbate these impacts by creating warmer and dryer conditions, with less predictable rainfall and more extreme events (e.g., droughts and floods). The resulting hydrological alterations are rapidly degrading freshwater ecosystems, both independently and via complex feedbacks and synergistic interactions. The ecosystem impacts include biodiversity loss, warmer stream temperatures, stronger and more frequent floodplain fires, and changes to biogeochemical cycles, transport of organic and inorganic materials, and freshwater community structure and function. The impacts also include reductions in water quality, fish yields, and availability of water for navigation, power generation, and human use. This degradation of Amazonian freshwater ecosystems cannot be curbed presently because existing policies are inconsistent across the Basin, ignore cumulative effects, and overlook the hydrological connectivity of freshwater ecosystems. Maintaining the integrity of these freshwater ecosystems requires a basinwide research and policy framework to understand and manage hydrological connectivity across multiple spatial scales and jurisdictional boundaries.
Global patterns and climate drivers of water‐use efficiency in terrestrial ecosystems deduced from satellite‐based datasets and carbon cycle models
Authors: Sun Yan , Piao Shilong , Huang Mengtian , Ciais Philippe , Zeng Zhenzhong , Cheng Lei , Li Xiran , Zhang Xinping , Mao Jiafu , Peng Shushi , Poulter Benjamin , Shi Xiaoying , Wang Xuhui , Wang Ying‐Ping , Zeng Hui 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimTo investigate how ecosystem water‐use efficiency (WUE) varies spatially under different climate conditions, and how spatial variations in WUE differ from those of transpiration‐based water‐use efficiency (WUEt) and transpiration‐based inherent water‐use efficiency (IWUEt).LocationGlobal terrestrial ecosystems.MethodsWe investigated spatial patterns of WUE using two datasets of gross primary productivity (GPP) and evapotranspiration (ET) and four biosphere model estimates of GPP and ET. Spatial relationships between WUE and climate variables were further explored through regression analyses.ResultsGlobal WUE estimated by two satellite‐based datasets is 1.9 ± 0.1 and 1.8 ± 0.6 g C m−2 mm−1 lower than the simulations from four process‐based models (2.0 ± 0.3 g C m−2 mm−1) but comparable within the uncertainty of both approaches. In both satellite‐based datasets and process models, precipitation is more strongly associated with spatial gradients of WUE for temperate and tropical regions, but temperature dominates north of 50° N. WUE also increases with increasing solar radiation at high latitudes. The values of WUE from datasets and process‐based models are systematically higher in wet regions (with higher GPP) than in dry regions. WUEt shows a lower precipitation sensitivity than WUE, which is contrary to leaf‐ and plant‐level observations. IWUEt, the product of WUEt and water vapour deficit, is found to be rather conservative with spatially increasing precipitation, in agreement with leaf‐ and plant‐level measurements.Main conclusionsWUE, WUEt and IWUEt produce different spatial relationships with climate variables. In dry ecosystems, water losses from evaporation from bare soil, uncorrelated with productivity, tend to make WUE lower than in wetter regions. Yet canopy conductance is intrinsically efficient in those ecosystems and maintains a higher IWUEt. This suggests that the responses of each component flux of evapotranspiration should be analysed separately when investigating regional gradients in WUE, its temporal variability and its trends.
Contrasting beta diversity among regions: how do classical and multivariate approaches compare?
Authors: Bennett Joseph R. , Gilbert Benjamin 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimApproaches to calculating beta diversity (β) include classical measures based on alpha (α) and gamma (γ) diversity, and multivariate distance‐based measures. Species–area relationships cause measurements of γ to vary, making comparisons of classical β among regions contingent on sampling effort. A recent null‐modelling approach has attempted to account for variation in γ by calculating the degree to which β deviates from a random expectation. Here, we clarify the mathematical links between classical and multivariate approaches to measuring β, to derive predictions regarding the reliability of classical, null‐model and multivariate approaches. Next, we use four ecological datasets and simulated data to test the consistency of these approaches across sampling effort and γ. We focus on an issue that arises when making comparisons among regions, namely that even small changes to the area sampled can differentially increase measured γ in each region, potentially causing artefacts in β that are driven by methodology rather than biology.InnovationComparisons among regions using classical and null‐model measures change dramatically as sampling effort and γ increase. This change is understood for classical β because of species–area relationships, but not for null‐model measures, making comparisons among regions impossible using the null‐model approach. Multiple‐site dissimilarity shows a similar sensitivity to γ as classical measures. In contrast, pairwise multivariate distances show no systematic effect of sampling effort and γ: increasing the number of sample plots decreases variability but does not alter mean β.Main conclusionsMultivariate pairwise distances are independent of sample size, offering the most robust comparison among regions. The widespread influence of sampling effort and γ indicate that only scale‐dependent measures of classical and multiple‐site β are comparable, whereas null‐model β may not be comparable among regions. However, in cases where γ is well known, multiple‐site dissimilarity metrics offer several advantages, and should be strongly considered.