bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simulation of forest‐based carbon balances for Germany: a contribution to the‘carbon debt’ debate
Authors: Schweinle Jörg , Köthke Margret , Englert Hermann , Dieter Matthias 
Published: October 2017

The aim of this paper is to estimate the future carbon balance of wood use in Germany combining a national forest inventory data‐driven forest growth model with information about German harvested wood products markets and taking into account material and energy substitution effects. In a scenario analysis, we assess impacts of different forest management options, change of market share of harvested wood products as well as changes of the national energy mix. Additionally, the model settings and assumptions that predominantly determine the results are identified and discussed. The simulation results show that only a radical change of forest management in Germany would cause net carbon emissions. The continuation of current forest management or a higher share of high yield tree species as well as a change of market shares of wood and wood products would result in a net carbon sequestration in German forest and harvested wood products carbon pools. Considering substitution effects, even the net carbon emissions of a radically changed forest management would be over compensated and the carbon balance of all other scenarios would become even more positive. Looking at the most decisive factors regarding our simulation results, the initial treatment of the forest carbon pool, the starting year for the simulations and the present forest structure are most crucial for further accumulated net carbon pool changes. WIREs Energy Environ 2018, 7:e260. doi: 10.1002/wene.260This article is categorized under:

Bioenergy > Climate and Environment
Energy and Climate > Climate and Environment
Energy and Development > Climate and Environment
Clinical and Radiological Discrimination of Solitary Pulmonary Lesions in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Ohtaki Yoichi , Shimizu Kimihiro , Nagashima Toshiteru , Nakazawa Seshiru , Obayashi Kai , Azuma Yoko , Iijima Misaki , Kosaka Takayuki , Yajima Toshiki , Ogawa Hiroomi , Tsutsumi Soichi , Arai Motohiro , Mogi Akira , Kuwano Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectivesThe lung is one of the most common organs of metastasis from colorectal cancer (CRC), and we have encountered lung cancer patients with a history of CRC. There have been few studies regarding methods used to discriminate between primary lung cancer (PLC) and pulmonary metastasis from CRC (PM‐CRC) based only on preoperative findings. We retrospectively investigated predictive factors discriminating between these lesions in patients with a history of CRC.MethodsBetween 2006 and 2015, 117 patients with a history of CRC (44 patients with 47 PLC and 73 patients with 102 PM‐CRC) underwent subsequent or concurrent resection of pulmonary lesions. We compared the clinical and radiological characteristics of 100 patients with solitary lesions (43 PLC and 57 PM‐CRC). Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we examined predictive factors for discrimination of these two lesions.ResultsAll tumors with findings of ground‐glass opacity (GGO) were PLC (n = 19). In a multivariate analysis of 81 radiologically solid tumors, two factors were found to be significant independent predictors of PLC: a history of stage I CRC and presence of pleural indentation. All tumors in 26 patients with either GGO or both a stage I CRC history and pleural indentation were PLC, while most tumors in patients without all three factors were PM‐CRC (43/44; 97.7%).ConclusionsThe presence or absence of GGO, pathological CRC stage, and pleural indentation could be useful factors to distinguish between PLC and PM‐CRC.
Adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplantation preoperative survey using MDCT, a single medical center experience in Taiwan
Authors: Su Te‐Cheng , Hung Siu‐Wan , Liu Ming‐Cheng , Lin Yen‐Ting , Chen Jeon‐Hor , Cheng Shao‐Bin , Chen Clayton Chi‐Chang 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis study evaluated multi‐detector computed tomography (MDCT) scans performed on potential living donors for adult‐to‐adult liver transplantation (LDLT), with the aim of identifying significant findings that could be used to exclude potential transplantation donors. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 151 consecutive potential adult donors for LDLT from May 2007 to January 2015. Liver parenchyma steatosis, focal hepatic mass or intraabdominal malignancy, vascular variations, and donor liver volume were evaluated via MDCT. Grounds for excluding potential donors were also recorded and analyzed. Of the 151 potential donors, nine (6.0%) had moderate to severe fatty liver, 37 (24.5%) had hepatic arterial variants, 22 (14.6%) had significant portal venous variants, and more than half were found to have right accessory inferior hepatic vein. No intraabdominal malignancies were found. Eighty‐eight potential donors were rejected, with the most common cause being insufficient recipient volume or remnant donor volume (47.7%), moderate to severe parenchymal steatosis (10.2%), and recipient expiration prior to transplantation (8.0%). An additional 16 potential donors were excluded by the surgical team due to the complexity of their portal venous variations. The rate of exclusion by pre‐transplant imaging evaluation with MDCT was 33.8%. MDCT can provide accurate quantification of donor liver volume and steatosis severity along with precise demonstration of vascular variants, which are crucial for the preoperative evaluation of LDLT. However, MDCT may be ineffective for evaluating the biliary system without hepatobiliary‐excreted contrast agent and has the disadvantage of ionizing radiation.
Using Structure from Motion Mapping to Record and Analyze Details of the Colossal Hats (Pukao) of Monumental Statues on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Authors: Hixon Sean W. , Lipo Carl P. , Hunt Terry L. , Lee Christopher 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTStructure from motion (SfM) mapping is a photogrammetric technique that offers a cost-effective means of creating three-dimensional (3-D) visual representations from overlapping digital photographs. The technique is now used more frequently to document the archaeological record. We demonstrate the utility of SfM by studying red scoria bodies known aspukaofrom Rapa Nui (Easter Island, Chile). We created 3-D images of 50pukaothat once adorned the massive statues (moai) of Rapa Nui and compare them to 13 additionalpukaolocated in Puna Pau, the island's red scoriapukaoquarry. Through SfM, we demonstrate that the majority of these bodies have petroglyphs and other surface features that are relevant to archaeological explanation and are currently at risk of continued degradation.
Africa Business Research as a Laboratory for Theory-Building: Extreme Conditions, New Phenomena, and Alternative Paradigms of Social Relationships
Authors: Barnard Helena , Cuervo-Cazurra Alvaro , Manning Stephan 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTAfrica is an increasingly important business context, yet we still know little about it. We review the challenges and opportunities that firms in Africa face and propose that these can serve as the basis for extending current theories and models of the firm. We do so by challenging some of the implicit assumptions and stereotypes on firms in Africa and by proposing three avenues for extending theories. One is taking the extreme conditions of some Africa countries and using them as a laboratory for modifying current theories and models of the firm, as we illustrate in the case of institutional theory and the resource-based view. A second one is identifying new themes that arise from analyzing firms in Africa and their contexts of operation, and we discuss four themes: migrating multinationals and the meaning of home country, diaspora networks within and across countries, a recasting of cultural and institutional distance, and new hybrid organizational forms. A third one is developing new theories based on alternative paradigms of social relationships that have emerged in Africa that differ from those underpinning existing theories of the firm, such askgotlaand its view of community-based relationships orubuntuand its humanizing view of relationships.
Identifying environmental drivers of fungal non-pollen palynomorphs in the montane forest of the eastern Andean flank, Ecuador
Authors: Loughlin Nicholas J.D. , Gosling William D. , Montoya Encarni 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSamples taken from sedimentary archives indicate that fungal non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) can be used to provide information on forest cover, fire regime, and depositional environment in the eastern Andean flank montane forest of Ecuador. Within the 52 samples examined, 54 fungal NPP morphotypes are reported, of which 25 were found to be previously undescribed. Examination of fungal NPPs over a gradient of forest cover (2–64%) revealed three distinct assemblages: (1) low (<8%) forest cover Neurospora, IBB-16, HdV-201, OU-102, and OU-110 indicative of an open degraded landscape; (2) medium (8–32%) forest cover Cercophora-type 1, Xylariaceae, Rosellinia-type, Kretzschmaria deusta, Amphirosellinia, Sporormiella, and Glomus suggestive of a forested landscape disturbed by herbivores and soil erosion; and (3) high (32–63%) forest cover Anthostomella fuegiana, OU-5, OU-101, OU-108, and OU-120. Environmental variables for forest cover (forest pollen), available moisture (aquatic remains), regional fire regime (microcharcoal), and sediment composition (organic carbon) were found to explain ~40% of the variance in the fungal NPP data set. Fire was found to be the primary control on fungal NPP assemblage composition, with available moisture and sediment composition the next most important factors.
Multi-micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy for prevention of maternal anaemia and adverse birth outcomes in a high-altitude area: a prospective cohort study in rural Tibet of China
Authors: Kang Yijun , Dang Shaonong , Zeng Lingxia , Wang Duolao , Li Qiang , Wang Jianpeng , Ouzhu Luobu , Yan Hong 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAnaemia during pregnancy, characterised by Hb <110 g/l, is a specific risk factor for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of daily antenatal supplementation with multiple micronutrients (MMN) compared with folic acid (FA) on the occurrence of anaemia among pregnant women and their infants’ health in a high-altitude area. A prospective cohort study was carried out in two rural counties in Tibet from 2007 to 2012. A total of 1149 eligible pregnant women were allocated daily supplementation with FA in one county and MMN containing a recommended allowance of twenty-three vitamins and minerals in another county starting ≤24 weeks of gestation and continuing until delivery. Compared with the FA group, prenatal supplementation with MMN was significantly associated with reduced odds of anaemia in the third trimester. This was demonstrated in the primary outcome, with an adjusted OR (AOR) of 0·63; 95 % CI 0·45, 0·88 and P=0·007 and also reduced odds of preterm delivery (AOR: 0·31; 95 % CI 0·15, 0·61; P=0·001). There was no difference between MMN and FA groups in mean birth weight (adjusted mean difference: 36·78; 95 % CI −19·42, 92·98 g; P=0·200), whereas MMN supplementation significantly reduced the odds of low-birth weight (LBW) babies (AOR: 0·58; 95 % CI 0·36, 0·91; P=0·019). In conclusion, the antenatal MMN supplementation in rural Tibet is associated with a reduction of maternal anaemia in the third trimester, and may potentially decrease the risk of preterm delivery and LBW babies.
Dietary egg-white protein increases body protein mass and reduces body fat mass through an acceleration of hepaticβ-oxidation in rats
Authors: Matsuoka Ryosuke , Shirouchi Bungo , Umegatani Minami , Fukuda Meguri , Muto Ayano , Masuda Yasunobu , Kunou Masaaki , Sato Masao 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEgg-white protein (EWP) is known to reduce lymphatic TAG transport in rats. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary EWP on body fat mass. Male rats, 4 weeks old, were fed diets containing either 20 % EWP or casein for 28 d. Carcass protein levels and gastrocnemius leg muscle weights in the EWP group were significantly higher than those in the casein group. In addition, carcass TAG levels and abdominal fat weights in the EWP group were significantly lower than those in the casein group; adipocyte size in abdominal fat in the EWP group was smaller than that in the casein group. To identify the involvement of dietary fat levels in the rats, one of two fat levels (5 or 10 %) was added to their diet along with the different protein sources (EWP and casein). Abdominal fat weight and serum and hepatic TAG levels were significantly lower in the EWP group than in the casein group. Moreover, significantly higher values of enzymatic activity related toβ-oxidation in the liver were observed in the EWP group compared with the casein group. Finally, abdominal fat weight reduction in the EWP group with the 10 % fat diet was lower than that in the EWP group with the 5 % fat diet. In conclusion, our results indicate that, in addition to the inhibition of dietary TAG absorption reported previously, dietary EWP reduces body fat mass in rats through an increase of body protein mass and the acceleration ofβ-oxidation in the liver.
Brexit Projects at Middle Temple Library
Authors: Geidt Lenka 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis article, written by Lenka Geidt, gives detailed insight into Brexit projects undertaken by Middle Temple Library. The library specialises, among other areas, in European Union law. This article explains how members of the Inns of Court and librarians can benefit from these projects which focus on legislation, case law and the legal debate regarding the United Kingdom's referendum on European Union membership and Brexit.
AP4 modulated by the PI3K/AKT pathway promotes prostate cancer proliferation and metastasis of prostate cancer via upregulating L-plastin
Authors: Chen Changhao , Cai Qingqing , He Wang , Lam Thomas B , Lin Jianxun , Zhao Yue , Chen Xu , Gu Peng , Huang Hao , Xue Miaoxin , Liu Hao , Su Feng , Huang Jian , Zheng Jianping , Lin Tianxin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe transition from androgen-dependent to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa) is a lethal event of uncertain molecular aetiology. Our previous studies demonstrated that L-plastin is involved in PCa invasion and metastasis and is upregulated by androgen and oestrogen in the hormone-dependent PCa cell line LNCaP. We recently found that L-plastin expression is consistently activated even after androgen deprivation, suggesting that androgen-independent transcription factors may regulate its expression. Herein, we performed sequential deletion and luciferase analysis of the L-plastin promoter and found that an androgen-independent regulatory factor prominently located in the region close to the transcription initiation site (−216 to +118) may facilitate L-plastin upregulation. AP4 was then identified as the relevant transcription activator that directly binds to the L-plastin promoter, as confirmed by EMSAs, supershift assays and CHIP-qPCR experiments. Moreover, we determined that the AP4/L-plastin axis is regulated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway, contributing to PCa metastasis and castration resistance. Furthermore, we found that AP4 promotes PCa metastasis by upregulating L-plastin expression in vitro and in vivo. We collected a total of 136 PCa tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues from patients who underwent prostatectomy at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital from 2005 to 2015 and measured AP4 and L-plastin protein levels by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that AP4 levels strongly correlated with those of its downstream target gene L-plastin, were significantly upregulated in PCa tissues, were positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and Gleason scores over 7, and were an independent prognostic factor for patient survival. In summary, these findings support a plausible mechanism by which the AP4/L-plastin axis is regulated by the PI3K/AKT pathway in human PCa and may represent a novel therapeutic target in PCa treatment.
Executioner caspases and CAD are essential for mutagenesis induced by TRAIL or vincristine
Authors: Miles Mark A , Hawkins Christine J 
Published: October 2017

AbstractChemotherapy drugs interfere with cellular processes to generate genotoxic lesions that activate cell death pathways. Sustained DNA damage induced by these drugs can provoke mutations in surviving non-cancerous cells, potentially increasing the risk of therapy-related cancers. Ligation of death receptors by ligands such as TRAIL, and subsequent activation of extrinsic apoptotic pathways, also provokes mutations. In this study, we show that executioner caspase activation of the apoptotic nuclease CAD/DFF40 is essential for TRAIL-induced mutations in surviving cells. As exposure to chemotherapy drugs also activates apoptotic caspases and presumably CAD, we hypothesized that these pathways may also contribute to the mutagenesis induced by conventional chemotherapy drugs, perhaps augmenting the mutations that arise from direct DNA damage provoked by these agents. Interestingly, vincristine-mediated mutations were caspase and CAD dependent. Executioner caspases accounted for some of the mutations caused by the topoisomerase poisons doxorubicin and SN38, but were dispensable for mutagenesis following treatment with cisplatin or temozolomide. These data highlight a non-apoptotic role of caspases in mutagenesis mediated by death receptor agonists, microtubule poisons and topoisomerase inhibitors, and provide further evidence for a potential carcinogenic consequence of sublethal apoptotic signaling stimulated by anticancer therapies.
Activation of miR-34a impairs autophagic flux and promotes cochlear cell death via repressing ATG9A: implications for age-related hearing loss
Authors: Pang Jiaqi , Xiong Hao , Lin Peiliang , Lai Lan , Yang Haidi , Liu Yimin , Huang Qiuhong , Chen Suijun , Ye Yongyi , Sun Yingfeng , Zheng Yiqing 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAge-related hearing loss is a major unresolved public health problem. We have previously elucidated that the activation of cochlear miR-34a is correlated with age-related hearing loss in C57BL/6 mice. A growing body of evidence points that aberrant autophagy promotes cell death during the development of multiple age-related diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-34a-involved disorder of autophagy in the pathogenesis of age-related hearing loss. Our results showed that miR-34a expression was markedly upregulated in the aging cochlea accompanied with impairment of autophagic flux. In the inner ear HEI-OC1 cell line, miR-34a overexpression resulted in an accumulation of phagophores and impaired autophagosome–lysosome fusion, and led to cell death subsequently. Notably, autophagy-related protein 9A (ATG9A), an autophagy protein, was significantly decreased after miR-34a overexpression. Knockdown of ATG9A inhibited autophagy flux, which is similar to the effects of miR-34a overexpression. Moreover, ursodeoxycholic acid significantly rescued miR-34a-induced HEI-OC1 cell death by restoring autophagy activity. Collectively, these findings increase our understanding of the biological effects of miR-34a in the development of age-related hearing loss and highlight miR-34a as a promising therapeutic target for its treatment.
RTN1-C mediates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via ER stress and mitochondria-associated apoptosis pathways
Authors: Gong Lingli , Tang Yuewen , An Ran , Lin Muya , Chen Lijian , Du Jian 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe reticulon family has been found to induce apoptosis, inhibit axon regeneration and regulate protein trafficking. However, little is known about the mechanisms of how reticulon proteins are involved in neuronal death-promoting processes during ischemia. Here, we report that the expression of Reticulon Protein 1-C (RTN1-C) was associated with the progression of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Using a combination of rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) stroke and oxygen-glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation (OGD/R) models, we determined that the expression of RTN1-C was significantly increased during cerebral ischemic/reperfusion. RTN1-C overexpression induced apoptosis and increased the cell vulnerability to ischemic injury, whereas RTN1-C knockdown reversed ischemia-induced apoptosis and attenuated the vulnerability of OGD/R-treated neural cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that RTN1-C mediated OGD/R-induced apoptosis through ER stress and mitochondria-associated pathways. RTN1-C interacted with Bcl-xL and increased its localization in the ER, thus reducing the anti-apoptotic activity of Bcl-xL. Most importantly, knockdown of Rtn1-c expression in vivo attenuated apoptosis in MCAO rats and reduced the extent of I/R-induced brain injury, as assessed by infarct volume and neurological score. Collectively, these data support for the first time that RTN1-C may represent a novel candidate for therapies against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Reciprocal amplification of caspase-3 activity by nuclear export of a putative human RNA-modifying protein, PUS10 during TRAIL-induced apoptosis
Authors: Jana Sujata , Hsieh Andrew C , Gupta Ramesh 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPus10 is a pseudouridine synthase present in Archaea and Eukarya, but not in Bacteria and yeast. It has been suggested that the human PUS10 (DOBI) gene is needed during TRAIL-induced apoptosis. We analyzed the role of PUS10 in TRAIL-induced apoptosis by immunofluorescence, immunoblotting and several indicators of apoptosis. We examined several TRAIL-sensitive cell lines and we also examined some resistant cell lines after treatment with cycloheximide. PUS10 is mainly present in the nucleus. Early during apoptosis, PUS10 translocates to mitochondria via CRM1-mediated export with the concurrent release of cytochrome c and SMAC. Caspase-3 is required for PUS10 translocation, which reciprocally amplifies the activity of caspase-3 through the intrinsic/mitochondrial pathway. This suggests that in addition to cytoplasmic factors, nuclear factors also have a direct role in the major apoptosis pathways. However, p53 is not involved in TRAIL-induced PUS10 movement. The caspase-3-mediated movement of PUS10 and the release of mitochondrial contents enhancing caspase-3 activity creates a feedback amplification loop for caspase-3 action. Therefore, any defect in the movement or interactions of PUS10 would reduce the TRAIL sensitivity of tumor cells.