bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Significance of presence of microvascular invasion in specimens obtained after surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xiaofeng , Li Jun , Shen Feng , Lau Wan Yee 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPartial hepatectomy and liver transplantation are potentially curative treatments in selected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, a high postoperative tumor recurrence rate significantly decreases long‐term survival outcomes. Among multiple prognostic factors, the presence of microvascular invasion (MVI) has increasingly been recognized to reflect enhanced abilities of local invasion and distant metastasis of HCC. Unfortunately, MVI can only currently be identified through histopathological studies on resected surgical specimens. Accurate preoperative tests to predict the presence of MVI are urgently needed. This paper reviews the current studies on incidence, pathological diagnosis, and classification of MVI; possible mechanisms of MVI formation; and preoperative prediction of the presence of MVI. Furthermore, focusing on how the postoperative management can be improved on histopathologically confirmed patients with HCC with MVI, and the potential roles of using predictive tests to estimate the risk of presence of MVI, helps in preoperative therapeutic decision‐making in patients with HCC.
Transgelin mediates transforming growth factor‐β1‐induced proliferation of human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Mitarai H. , Wada N. , Hasegawa D. , Yoshida S. , Sonoda M. , Tomokiyo A. , Hamano S. , Serita S. , Mizumachi H. , Maeda H. 
Published: June 2017

Background and ObjectiveHuman periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs) express transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) that regulates differentiation and proliferation, and plays key roles in homeostasis of PDL tissue. Transgelin is a cytoskeleton‐associated protein with an Smad‐binding element in its gene promoter region. In this study, we examined the localization and potential function of transgelin in PDL tissue and cells.Material and MethodsMicroarray analysis of HPDLC lines (2‐14, 2‐23 and 2‐52) was performed. Expression of transgelin in HPDLCs was examined by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis. Effects of TGF‐β1 and its signaling inhibitor, SB431542, on transgelin expression in HPDLCs were examined by western blot analysis. The effects of transgelin knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on HPDLC proliferation stimulated by TGF‐β1 were assessed by WST‐1 assay.ResultsIn microarray and quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analyses, the expression levels of transgelin (TAGLN) in 2‐14 and 2‐23 cells, which highly expressed PDL markers such as periostin (POSTN), tissue non‐specific alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), α‐smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) and type I collagen A1 (COL1A1), was significantly higher than those in 2‐52 cells that expressed PDL markers weakly. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining revealed expression of transgelin in rat PDL tissue and HPDLCs. In HPDLCs, TGF‐β1 treatment upregulated transgelin expression, whereas inhibition of the type 1 TGF‐β1 receptor by SB431542 suppressed this upregulation. Furthermore, TAGLN siRNA transfection did not promote the proliferation of HPDLCs treated with TGF‐β1. The expression levels of CCNA2 and CCNE1, which regulate DNA synthesis and mitosis through the cell cycle, were also not upregulated in HPDLCs transfected with TAGLN siRNA.ConclusionTransgelin is expressed in PDL tissue and might have a role in HPDLC proliferation induced by TGF‐β1 stimulation.
Terra incognita of soil biodiversity: unseen invasions under our feet
Authors: Andújar Carmelo , Arribas Paula , Vogler Alfried P. 
Published: June 2017

Whilst cartographers of the 19th century endeavoured to chart the last unknown lands, the great challenge for biologists in the 21st century is to fill the gaps on the biodiversity map of the Earth. And one of the largest gaps concerns the biodiversity of soils, a terra incognita right under our feet. The study of soil biodiversity, and particularly the complex communities of small invertebrates, has suffered from a severe ‘taxonomic impediment’ (Decaëns ) leading to great uncertainties about total species richness, phylogenetic diversity, geographical structure, temporal dynamics of soil organisms, and consequently about their role on ecosystem function (Bardgett & van der Putten ). However, the revolution in high‐throughput sequencing is now revealing the hidden biodiversity of the soil with unprecedented detail (e.g. Arribas et al. ). In a noteworthy from the Cover article in this issue of Molecular Ecology, Cicconardi et al. () apply these new tools to study soil communities of Collembola in three distant oceanic islands of volcanic origin, obtaining a striking result: only 38 of 70 species (54%) are exclusively found in a single island, with the remaining shared among islands or with other distant regions, suggesting a massive recent introduction of soil species, whose impact is entirely unknown.
Flower specialisation: the occluded corolla of snapdragons (Antirrhinum) exhibits two pollinator niches of large long‐tongued bees
Authors: Vargas P. , Liberal I. , Ornosa C. , Gómez J. M. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Flower specialisation of angiosperms includes the occluded corollas of snapdragons (Antirrhinum and some relatives), which have been postulated to be one of the most efficient structures to physical limit access to pollinators. The Iberian Peninsula harbours the highest number of species (18 Iberian of the 20 species of Antirrhinum) that potentially share similar pollinator fauna.

Crossing experiments with 18 Iberian species from this study and literature revealed a general pattern of self‐incompatibility (SI) – failure in this SI system has been also observed in a few plants – which indicates the need for pollinator agents in Antirrhinum pollination.

Field surveys in natural conditions (304 h) found flower visitation (>85%) almost exclusively by 11 species of bee (Anthophora fulvitarsis, Anthophora plumipes, Anthidium sticticum, Apis mellifera, Bombus hortorum, Bombus pascuorum, Bombus ruderatus, Bombus terrestris, Chalicodoma lefebvrei, Chalicodoma pyrenaica and Xylocopa violacea). This result covering the majority of Antirrhinum species suggests that large bees of the two long‐tongued bee families (Megachilidae, Apidae) are the major pollinators of Antirrhinum.

A bipartite modularity analysis revealed two pollinator systems of long‐tongued bees: (i) the long‐studied system of bumblebees (Bombus spp.) associated with nine primarily northern species of Antirrhinum; and (ii) a newly proposed pollinator system involving other large bees associated with seven species primarily distributed in southern Mediterranean areas.
Plant age and ambient temperature: significant drivers for powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum) epidemics on oilseed rape (Brassica napus)
Authors: Uloth M. B. , You M. P. , Barbetti M. J. 
Published: June 2017

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum) is an important disease in oilseed rape crops worldwide, but of sporadic importance in most southern Australian crops. Six Brassica napus cultivars were exposed to E. cruciferarum simultaneously in four plant age cohorts. First symptoms of powdery mildew appeared 9 days after inoculation (dai) on the oldest plants [42 days after seeding (das)], but 44 dai in the youngest plants that were exposed to inoculum from sowing, although final disease severity did not differ with the plant age at exposure. The maximum level of pod peduncle infestation was unaffected by plant age (P = 0.37) or cultivar (P = 0.28). The effect of temperature was also investigated. The development of disease on plants was slower and final severity reduced at a day/night temperature 14/10 °C compared with 22/17 °C. In vitro, maximum growth of germ tubes from conidia of E. cruciferarum was at 15–20 °C and survival of conidia reduced by temperatures >30 °C. The results explain the sporadic nature of powdery mildew outbreaks in winter‐grown oilseed rape in Australia, where slow rates of infection occur when seasonal colder prevailing winter conditions coincide with the presence of younger plants, together curtailing rapid disease development until temperatures increase in late winter/early spring. These results explain why epidemics are most severe in the two warmer cropping regions, viz. the northern agricultural region of Western Australia and New South Wales. This study suggests that with increases in winter temperatures under future climate scenarios, earlier and more severe powdery mildew outbreaks in Australia will be favoured.
Co‐morbid OSA and insomnia increases depression prevalence and severity in men
Authors: Lang Carol J. , Appleton Sarah L. , Vakulin Andrew , McEvoy R. Doug , Wittert Gary A. , Martin Sean A. , Catcheside Peter G. , Antic Nicholas A. , Lack Leon , Adams Robert J. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and insomnia coexist in clinical populations but prevalence in the community and risk factors remain largely unknown. We examined the prevalence and profile of previously undiagnosed co‐morbid OSA and insomnia symptoms (COMISA) in community‐dwelling men.MethodsMen (n = 700, aged 58.5 ± 11.0 (mean ± SD) years) without a prior diagnosis of OSA completed full at‐home unattended polysomnography, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and 36‐item short form (SF‐36) survey (2007–2012). Insomnia symptoms included difficulty initiating/maintaining sleep in the presence of daytime fatigue (DIMS‐F). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory‐1A, Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) (2007–2010). Univariate (χ2
and analysis of variance (ANOVA)) and multiple linear regressions were used to compare data from four groups of individuals: neither disorder; previously undiagnosed OSA (apnoea–hypopnoea index ≥ 10) or DIMS‐F alone; and COMISA.Results
COMISA prevalence was 6.7%. Depression prevalence (COMISA, 42.6%; DIMS‐F, 21.6%; OSA, 8.4%, χ2
= 71.6, P < 0.00) and symptom scale scores (e.g. PHQ‐9 mean ± SD: 16.1 ± 5.5 c.f. DIMS‐F: 14.0 ± 4.9, P < 0.01 and OSA: 11.4 ± 3.0, P = 0.01) were highest in men with COMISA. In COMISA, respiratory and arousal indices were similar to those observed in OSA whilst reductions in subjective sleep and day dysfunction scores were similar to DIMS‐F. After adjustment, predicted mean depression scores were all higher in DIMS‐F and COMISA using linear regression (e.g. PHQ‐9 β (95% CI): DIMS‐F: 2.3 (1.2, 3.5); COMISA: 4.1 (3.0, 5.1)).ConclusionMen with COMISA have a greater prevalence, and severity, of depression than men with only one disorder.
Aid, institutions and economic growth in sub‐Saharan Africa: Heterogeneous donors and heterogeneous responses
Authors: Wako Hassen Abda 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis study contributes to the aid‐effectiveness debate using panel data from 43 sub‐Saharan African countries over the period 1980–2013. Its novelty lies in assessing the intermediary role of institutions and the importance of recipient and donor heterogeneity. The long‐run growth effect of (aggregate) aid from “traditional” donors is robustly non‐positive, and the indirect effect is negative. Disaggregation reveals donor heterogeneity. Chinese aid outperforms aggregate aid from traditional donors with respect to growth; however, it has a negative institutional effect. Recipient heterogeneity is largely a short‐run phenomenon, with only a few countries showing some deviations from shared long‐run parameter sets. Comparing donor behavior suggests that the future of aid would benefit more from focusing on quality – particularly, specialization and donor alignment.
Preliminary Validation of a Korean Version of the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale‐Fearlessness About Death
Authors: Seo Jang‐Won , Kwon Seok‐Man 
Published: June 2017

The interpersonal‐psychological theory of suicide proposes that the desire for suicide must be accompanied by the capability to do so in order for an individual to engage in suicidal behavior. The Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale‐Fearlessness about Death (ACSS‐FAD) measures fearlessness about death, a core component of the capability for suicide. This study aimed to validate a Korean version of the ACSS‐FAD in a college student sample. We administered the ACSS‐FAD and measures of suicide ideation, fear of suicide, death anxiety, pain anxiety, and depression in a sample of Korean college students (N = 301) and analyzed its reliability, factor structure, invariance across genders, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The one‐factor model achieved satisfactory model fit. Across genders, partial metric invariance and partial scalar invariance were established. The results also revealed that the ACSS‐FAD has good internal consistency, convergent validity (positive correlations with fear of suicide, death anxiety, and pain anxiety), and discriminant validity (no relation with depression). The Korean version of the ACSS‐FAD presents adequate psychometric properties and may be considered to be a promising instrument for measuring fearlessness about death in college students.
Phylogenetic position of a remarkable new fideliine bee from northern Chile (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
Authors: PACKER LAURENCE , LITMAN JESSICA , PRAZ CHRISTOPHE J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFideliine bees are an archaic group with a disjunct distribution mostly restricted to deserts of South America and South Africa. This group was previously thought to be more diverse in Africa than in South America, where only one genus (Neofidelia) comprising five species is known. Here we describe a species belonging to a second South American genus: Xenofidelia colorada Packer gen. et sp.n., from northern Chile. The species is illustrated and its phylogenetic position within Megachilidae is assessed using morphological, molecular and combined data. The 214 character morphological matrix includes 55 new characters with an additional 16 hitherto unexplored for megachilid phylogeny. The molecular dataset is based upon seven nuclear gene sequences, totalling 6439 bp, many of which are published for the first time for particular megachilid taxa. In all analyses, Xenofidelia was found as sister to Neofidelia (endemic to Chile and Peru). It differs from that genus most notably in its short mouthparts, absence of a glossal rod, unmodified female metabasitarsus and an elongate and horizontal dorsal surface of the metapostnotum. Morphological and combined data support a monophyletic Fideliinae (excluding Pararhophites), while molecular data alone failed to recover fideliine monophyly. Dating analyses suggest that Xenofidelia and Neofidelia diverged 34.3–40.6 Ma, indicating that New World fideliines were probably present in arid habitats of South America during the Eocene. This divergence time predates both the main orogenic events that resulted in the formation of the Andean mountains and the origin of hyperarid conditions in the Atacama Desert; it also corresponds to a period prior to the origin of the summer rainfall area in the far north of Chile where the new genus is found. These results support the view that arid habitats have been present continuously in South America since the Eocene.This published work has been registered in ZooBank,
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EA69BB4A‐6F59‐4A15‐AB44‐2A8949E3CF8F.
A 6-Nucleotide Regulatory Motif within the AbcR Small RNAs of
Brucella abortus
Mediates Host-Pathogen Interactions
Authors: Sheehan Lauren M. , Caswell Clayton C. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

In
Brucella abortus
, two small RNAs (sRNAs), AbcR1 and AbcR2, are responsible for regulating transcripts encoding ABC-type transport systems. AbcR1 and AbcR2 are required for
Brucella
virulence, as a double chromosomal deletion of both sRNAs results in attenuation in mice. Although these sRNAs are responsible for targeting transcripts for degradation, the mechanism utilized by the AbcR sRNAs to regulate mRNA in
Brucella
has not been described. Here, two motifs (M1 and M2) were identified in AbcR1 and AbcR2, and complementary motif sequences were defined in AbcR-regulated transcripts. Site-directed mutagenesis of M1 or M2 or of both M1 and M2 in the sRNAs revealed transcripts to be targeted by one or both motifs. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed direct, concentration-dependent binding of both AbcR sRNAs to a target mRNA sequence. These experiments genetically and biochemically characterized two indispensable motifs within the AbcR sRNAs that bind to and regulate transcripts. Additionally, cellular and animal models of infection demonstrated that only M2 in the AbcR sRNAs is required for
Brucella
virulence. Furthermore, one of the M2-regulated targets, BAB2_0612, was found to be critical for the virulence of
B. abortus
in a mouse model of infection. Although these sRNAs are highly conserved among
Alphaproteobacteria
, the present report displays how gene regulation mediated by the AbcR sRNAs has diverged to meet the intricate regulatory requirements of each particular organism and its unique biological niche.

IMPORTANCE
Small RNAs (sRNAs) are important components of bacterial regulation, allowing organisms to quickly adapt to changes in their environments. The AbcR sRNAs are highly conserved throughout the
Alphaproteobacteria
and negatively regulate myriad transcripts, many encoding ABC-type transport systems. In
Brucella abortus
, AbcR1 and AbcR2 are functionally redundant, as only a double
abcR1 abcR2
(
abcR1
/
2
) deletion results in attenuation
in vitro
and
in vivo
. In the present study, we confirmed that the AbcR sRNAs have redundant regulatory functions and defined two six-nucleotide motifs, M1 and M2, that the AbcR sRNAs utilize to control gene expression. Importantly, only M2 was linked to
B. abortus
virulence. Further investigation of M2-regulated targets identified BAB2_0612 as critical for colonization of
B. abortus
in mice, highlighting the significance of AbcR M2-regulated transcripts for
Brucella
infection. Overall, our findings define the molecular mechanism of the virulence-associated AbcR system in the pathogenic bacterium
B. abortus
.
A content analysis of outdoor non-alcoholic beverage advertisements in Ghana
Authors: Bragg Marie A , Hardoby Tamara , Pandit Natasha G , Raji Yemi R , Ogedegbe Gbenga 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesThis was a two-part descriptive study designed to (1) assess the marketing themes and sugar content of beverages promoted in outdoor advertisements (ads) within a portion of Accra, Ghana and (2) quantify the types of ads that appeared along the Accra-Cape Coast Highway.SettingA 4.7 km2area of Accra, Ghana and a 151 km region along the highway represented the target areas for collecting photos of outdoor beverage ads.Primary and secondary outcome measuresNumber and types of beverage ads, sugar content of beverage products featured in ads and marketing themes used in ads.DesignTwo researchers photographed outdoor beverage ads in a 4.7 km2area of Accra and used content analysis to assess marketing themes of ads, including the portrayal of children, local culture, music, sports and health. Researchers also recorded the number and type of ads along a 151 km stretch of the Accra-Cape Coast Highway. Researchers assessed the added sugar content to determine which beverages were sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).ResultsSeventy-seven photographed ads were analysed. Seventy-three per cent (72.7%) of ads featured SSBs, and Coca-Cola accounted for 59.7% of ads. Sixty-five per cent (64.9%) of all ads featured sodas, while 35.1% advertised energy drinks, bottled or canned juice drinks and coffee-based, milk-based and water-based beverages. Thirteen per cent (13%) of ads featured children and 5.2% were located near schools or playgrounds. Nine per cent (9.1%) of ads contained a reference to health and 7.8% contained a reference to fitness/strength/sport. Along the Accra-Cape Coast Highway, Coca-Cola accounted for 60% of branded ads.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the frequency of outdoor SSB ads within a 4.7 km2area of Accra, Ghana. Coca-Cola was featured in the majority of ads, and the child-targeted nature of some ads indicates a need to expand the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative pledge to reduce child-targeted marketing on a global scale.
Finnish Subacromial Impingement Arthroscopy Controlled Trial (FIMPACT): a protocol for a randomised trial comparing arthroscopic subacromial decompression and diagnostic arthroscopy (placebo control), with an exercise therapy control, in the treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome
Authors: Paavola Mika , Malmivaara Antti , Taimela Simo , Kanto Kari , Järvinen Teppo LN 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionArthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) is the most commonly performed surgical intervention for shoulder pain, yet evidence on its efficacy is limited. The rationale for the surgery rests on the tenet that symptom relief is achieved through decompression of the rotator cuff tendon passage. The primary objective of this superiority trial is to compare the efficacy of ASD versus diagnostic arthroscopy (DA) in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS), where DA differs only by the lack of subacromial decompression. A third group of supervised progressive exercise therapy (ET) will allow for pragmatic assessment of the relative benefits of surgical versus non-operative treatment strategies.Methods and AnalysisFinnish Subacromial Impingement Arthroscopy Controlled Trial is an ongoing multicentre, three-group randomised controlled study. We performed two-fold concealed allocation, first by randomising patients to surgical (ASD or DA) or conservative (ET) treatment in 2:1 ratio and then those allocated to surgery further to ASD or DA in 1:1 ratio. Our two primary outcomes are pain at rest and at arm activity, assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS). We will quantify the treatment effect as the difference between the groups in the change in the VAS scales with the associated 95% CI at 24 months. Our secondary outcomes are functional assessment (Constant score and Simple shoulder test), quality of life (15D and SF-36), patient satisfaction, proportions of responders and non-responders, reoperations/treatment conversions, all at 2 years post-randomisation, as well as adverse effects and complications. We recruited a total of 210 patients from three tertiary referral centres. We will conduct the primary analysis on the intention-to-treat basis.Ethics and DisseminationThe study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Pirkanmaa Hospital District and duly registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. The findings of this study will be disseminated widely through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.Trial registration numberNCT00428870; Pre-results.