bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aspect and slope influence plant community composition more than elevation across forest–tundra ecotones in subarctic Canada
Authors: Dearborn Katherine D. , Danby Ryan K. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractQuestionsHow does tree line community composition vary between elevations, aspects and slope angles in the alpine subarctic and what are the specific abiotic factors governing this variability? How do species richness and rates of community turnover vary from low to high elevation across the forest–tundra ecotone? What do the results indicate about future vegetation change?LocationKluane Region, southwest Yukon, Canada.MethodsWe surveyed plant communities and measured key abiotic variables across forest–tundra ecotones in six alpine valleys, each with a north‐ and a south‐facing slope, in two mountain ranges of southwest Yukon. We used NMS to identify patterns in plant community composition and infer which abiotic variables drive these patterns. We calculated species richness and community dissimilarity at regular elevational intervals to assess trends in richness and rates of community turnover within the ecotone.ResultsPlant communities varied more with aspect and slope angle than they did with elevation. Aspect‐related differences were driven by warmer soil temperatures and deeper active layers on south‐ compared to north‐facing slopes, while differences related to slope angle occurred only on north‐facing slopes and were driven by soil moisture. Species richness increased with elevation on north‐facing slopes and showed no trend with elevation on south‐facing slopes. Rates of community turnover were higher on south‐facing than north‐facing slopes.ConclusionsPlant community composition within the forest–tundra ecotone is driven primarily by soil temperature and, to a lesser extent, soil moisture, both of which vary more in relation to aspect and slope angle than they do between forest and tundra elevations. We recommend that models of vegetation change in subarctic alpine regions address the possibility of change occurring at different rates and in different directions depending on the topographic characteristics of each slope.
Gingival crevicular fluid levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 in patients with aggressive periodontitis
Authors: Gunpinar S , Alptekin NO , Dundar N 
Published: February 2017

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1 in aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and whether GCF MCP‐1 levels differ among localized (L) AgP and generalized (G) AgP.Material and MethodsA total of 160 subjects including 80 AgP and 80 age‐ and gender‐matched periodontally healthy (H) controls were recruited in this cross‐sectional study (NCT02927704). GCF samples were collected from 160 patients including 50 LAgP, 30 GAgP, and 80 H. Volume of GCF was measured by Periotron 8000®, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess MCP‐1 levels.ResultsCompared to H controls, all clinical parameters and total amounts (pg 30 s−1) of MCP‐1 were significantly higher in subjects with LAgP and GAgP (P < 0.05). Although concentrations of GCF MCP‐1 did not differ between LAgP and GAgP (P > 0.05), total amounts of MCP‐1 were higher in GAgP than LAgP (P < 0.05).ConclusionIt can be concluded that the total amount of MCP‐1 level in GCF may be a potential determinant in AgP subjects. Increased MCP‐1 levels in line with the degree of periodontal destruction in GAgP patients reveal that MCP‐1 can be used to understand the disease pathogenesis of LAgP and GAgP.
Time will tell: A longitudinal investigation of brain‐behavior relationships during reading development
Authors: Stites Mallory C. , Laszlo Sarah 
Published: February 2017

AbstractERPs are a powerful tool for the study of reading, as they are both temporally precise and functionally specific. These are essential characteristics for studying a process that unfolds rapidly and consists of multiple, interactive subprocesses. In work with adults, clear, specific models exist linking components of the ERP with individual subprocesses of reading including orthographic decoding, phonological processing, and semantic access (e.g., Grainger & Holcomb, 2009). The relationships between ERP components and reading subprocesses are less clear in development; here, we address two questions regarding these relationships. First, we ask whether there are ERP markers that predict future reading behaviors across a longitudinal year. Second, we ask whether any relationships observed between ERP components and reading behavior across time map onto the better‐established relationships between ERPs and reading subprocesses in adults. To address these questions, we acquired ERPs from children engaging in a silent reading task and then, a year later, collected behavioral assessments of their reading ability. We find that ERPs collected in Year 1 do predict reading behaviors a year later. Further, we find that these relationships do conform, at least to some extent, to relationships between ERP components and reading subprocesses observed in adults, with, for example, N250 amplitude in Year 1 predicting phonological awareness in Year 2, and N400 amplitude in Year 1 predicting vocabulary in Year 2.
Ceftaroline-Resistant, Daptomycin-Tolerant, and Heterogeneous Vancomycin-Intermediate Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Causing Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Nigo Masayuki , Diaz Lorena , Carvajal Lina P. , Tran Truc T. , Rios Rafael , Panesso Diana , Garavito Juan D. , Miller William R. , Wanger Audrey , Weinstock George , Munita Jose M. , Arias Cesar A. , Chambers Henry F. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT

We report a case of infective endocarditis (IE) caused by ceftaroline-resistant, daptomycin-tolerant, and heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA). Resistance to ceftaroline emerged in the absence of drug exposure, and the E447K substitution in the active site of PBP2a previously associated with ceftaroline resistance was identified. Additionally, we present evidence of patient-to-patient transmission of the strain within the same unit. This case illustrates the difficulties in treating MRSA IE in the setting of a multidrug-resistant phenotype.
A Polymorphism within the Internal Fusion Loop of the Ebola Virus Glycoprotein Modulates Host Cell Entry
Authors: Hoffmann Markus , Crone Lisa , Dietzel Erik , Paijo Jennifer , González-Hernández Mariana , Nehlmeier Inga , Kalinke Ulrich , Becker Stephan , Pöhlmann Stefan 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT
The large scale of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa in 2013-2016 raised the question whether the host cell interactions of the responsible Ebola virus (EBOV) strain differed from those of other ebolaviruses. We previously reported that the glycoprotein (GP) of the virus circulating in West Africa in 2014 (EBOV2014) exhibited reduced ability to mediate entry into two nonhuman primate (NHP)-derived cell lines relative to the GP of EBOV1976. Here, we investigated the molecular determinants underlying the differential entry efficiency. We found that EBOV2014-GP-driven entry into diverse NHP-derived cell lines, as well as human monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells, was reduced compared to EBOV1976-GP, although entry into most human- and all bat-derived cell lines tested was comparable. Moreover, EBOV2014 replication in NHP but not human cells was diminished relative to EBOV1976, suggesting that reduced cell entry translated into reduced viral spread. Mutagenic analysis of EBOV2014-GP and EBOV1976-GP revealed that an amino acid polymorphism in the receptor-binding domain, A82V, modulated entry efficiency in a cell line-independent manner and did not account for the reduced EBOV2014-GP-driven entry into NHP cells. In contrast, polymorphism T544I, located in the internal fusion loop in the GP2 subunit, was found to be responsible for the entry phenotype. These results suggest that position 544 is an important determinant of EBOV infectivity for both NHP and certain human target cells.

IMPORTANCE
The Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa in 2013 entailed more than 10,000 deaths. The scale of the outbreak and its dramatic impact on human health raised the question whether the responsible virus was particularly adept at infecting human cells. Our study shows that an amino acid exchange, A82V, that was acquired during the epidemic and that was not observed in previously circulating viruses, increases viral entry into diverse target cells. In contrast, the epidemic virus showed a reduced ability to enter cells of nonhuman primates compared to the virus circulating in 1976, and a single amino acid exchange in the internal fusion loop of the viral glycoprotein was found to account for this phenotype.
Age-dependent shift in macrophage polarisation causes inflammation-mediated degeneration of enteric nervous system
Authors: Becker Laren , Nguyen Linh , Gill Jaspreet , Kulkarni Subhash , Pasricha Pankaj Jay , Habtezion Aida 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveThe enteric nervous system (ENS) undergoes neuronal loss and degenerative changes with age. The cause of this neurodegeneration is poorly understood. Muscularis macrophages residing in close proximity to enteric ganglia maintain neuromuscular function via direct crosstalk with enteric neurons and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of GI motility disorders like gastroparesis and postoperative ileus. The aim of this study was to assess whether ageing causes alterations in macrophage phenotype that contributes to age-related degeneration of the ENS.DesignLongitudinal muscle and myenteric plexus from small intestine of young, mid-aged and old mice were dissected and prepared for whole mount immunostaining, flow cytometry, Luminex immunoassays, western blot analysis, enteric neural stem cell (ENSC) isolation or conditioned media. Bone marrow derived macrophages were prepared and polarised to classic (M1) or alternative (M2) activation states. Markers for macrophage phenotype were measured using quantitative RT-PCR.ResultsAgeing causes a shift in macrophage polarisation from anti-inflammatory ‘M2’ to proinflammatory ‘M1’ that is associated with a rise in cytokines and immune cells in the ENS. This phenotypic shift is associated with a neural response to inflammatory signals, increase in apoptosis and loss of enteric neurons and ENSCs, and delayed intestinal transit. An age-dependent decrease in expression of the transcription factor FoxO3, a known longevity gene, contributes to the loss of anti-inflammatory behaviour in macrophages of old mice, and FoxO3-deficient mice demonstrate signs of premature ageing of the ENS.ConclusionsA shift by macrophages towards a proinflammatory phenotype with ageing causes inflammation-mediated degeneration of the ENS.
Role of facies diversity and cyclicity on the reservoir quality of the mid-Cretaceous Mishrif Formation in the southern Mesopotamian Basin, Iraq
Authors: Mahdi Thamer A. , Aqrawi Adnan A. M. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
An integrated sedimentological and petrophysical approach was implemented to define the role of facies diversity and cyclicity on the reservoir quality of the Mishrif Formation in several oil fields in southern Iraq. The reservoir quality in most regressive cycles was enhanced upwards from deep-marine facies towards the shallower shelf-margin facies. The change in reservoir quality could be detected in the facies stacked systematically within the regressive cycles, which was also easily recognized using the porosity logs. The impact of early diagenetic overprints was quite obvious in developing both reservoir and non-reservoir rock types within the Mishrif Formation in the study area. A simple rock-typing nomenclature was proposed based on the available data in order to classify the existing reservoir (R) and non-reservoir (S) rock types.
The best-recognized reservoir rock types were rudistid microfacies with grain-dominated fabrics (including both grainstone (R1) and grain-dominated packstone (R2)), which were subjected to an early diagenetic dissolution process, usually located beneath discontinuity surfaces. Such reservoir units or rock types have a regional extent within the southern Mesopotamian Basin, as they have often developed during the Mishrif shelf-margin progradation. In addition, the other important reservoir rock type was a microbialite (i.e. peloidal mud-dominated packstone (R3)), which was additionally characterized by micropores within the mud-dominated portion of the facies. However, owing to the variable intensity of the diagenetic effects and differences in the depositional texture components, the reservoir quality in this rock type could vary regionally.
The regional distribution of the rudistid grainstone and grain-dominated packstone reservoir rock types (R1 and R2) was mostly related to the palaeogeographical highs that existed during deposition. However, such reservoir rock types could pinch out within the depositional sequences, showing their potential to become stratigraphic traps outside the structural crest of the field. The delineation of the reservoir rock types within a sequence-stratigraphic framework can be quite beneficial for reservoir prediction and exploration within and outside of the field.
Pterosaurs in Mesozoic food webs: a review of fossil evidence
Authors: Witton Mark P. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Understanding the ecological roles of pterosaurs is a challenging pursuit, but one aided by a growing body of fossil evidence for their dietary preferences and roles as food sources for other species. Pterosaur foraging behaviour is represented by preserved gut content, stomach regurgitates, coprolites and feeding traces. Pterosaurs being eaten by other species are recorded by tooth marks and teeth embedded in their fossil bones, consumer gut content and regurgitate, and their preservation entangled with predatory animals. This palaeoecological record has improved in recent years, but remains highly selective. The Jurassic rhamphorhynchid
Rhamphorhynchus
, Cretaceous ornithocheiroid
Pteranodon
and azhdarchid pterosaurs currently have the most substantial palaeoecological records. The food species and consumers of these taxa conform to lifestyle predictions for these groups.
Rhamphorhynchus
and
Pteranodon
ate and were eaten by aquatic species, matching expectations of these animals as sea-going, perhaps partly aquatic species. Possible azhdarchid pterosaur foraging traces alongside pterosaur tracks, and evidence that these animals were eaten by dinosaurs and Crocodyliformes, are consistent with hypotheses that azhdarchids foraged and lived in terrestrial settings. Fossil evidence of pterosaur palaeoecology remains rare: researchers are strongly encouraged to put specimens showing details of dietary preferences, foraging strategies or interactions with other animals on record.
Topotype specimens probably attributable to the giant azhdarchid pterosaur
Arambourgiania philadelphiae
(Arambourg 1959)
Authors: Martill David M. , Moser Markus 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Six specimens accessioned to the Bavarian State Collection for Palaeontology and Geology in Munich, Germany, in 1966 are identified as coming from a gigantic pterodactyloid pterosaur. The previously undescribed material was obtained in 1955 by Jean Otto Haas and compares favourably in size with the type specimen of the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) azhdarchid pterosaur
Arambourgiania philadelphiae
(Arambourg 1959) from the same locality/region. The material represents fragments of two cervical vertebrae, a neural arch, a left femur, a ?radius, and a metacarpal IV and bones of problematic identity, and does not duplicate the type material of
Arambourgiania
. The timing of its collection and its locality of Ruseifa, Jordan suggest it might pertain to the same individual as the holotype.
Detection of procoagulant imbalance
Authors: Tripodi Armando 
Published: February 2017

SummaryEach individual possesses his/her own endogenous-thrombin-potential (ETP) (i. e. the ability to generate thrombin) which depends on the relative strength of the pro- and anticoagulant drivers operating in plasma. This ability depends in turn on the clinical conditions in which the balance between the two drivers is variably affected. One of the major determinants of this balance is the factor (F)VIII-protein C(PC) axis and its effect can be conveniently explored by the thrombin generation procedures with results expressed as ETP ratio with/without thrombomodulin (TM) (ETP-TM ratio). Furthermore, owing to the many feedback mechanisms mediated by thrombin (e. g. activation of PC, FXI, FV, FVIII, platelets etc.) it is also possible that any perturbation of the balance between pro- and anticoagulants that may occur in plasma even outside the FVIII-PC axis could result in an increased ETPTM ratio and therefore may suggest a procoagulant imbalance. Indeed, other non-coagulation moieties (e. g. microparticles, neutrophil extracellular traps, pro-inflammatory cytokines and others) circulating in blood of patients with various clinical conditions may also contribute to the procoagulant imbalance even when FVIII and/or PC are apparently normal. It can be postulated that dual ETP measurements performed in the presence and absence of TM with results expressed as their ratio may be the candidate procedure to detect subtle procoagulant imbalance in many clinical conditions characterised by an increased risk of thromboembolism. This article aimed at reviewing the clinical conditions in which evidence for the value of the ETP-TM ratio has been provided.
Impact of Workplace Physical Activity Interventions on Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Health Among Working-Age Women
Authors: Reed Jennifer L. , Prince Stephanie A. , Elliott Cara G. , Mullen Kerri-Anne , Tulloch Heather E. , Hiremath Swapnil , Cotie Lisa M. , Pipe Andrew L. , Reid Robert D. 
Published: February 2017

Background—
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in high-income Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Physical activity is protective for cardiovascular disease. The realities of modern life require working-age women to address work-related, family, and social demands. Few working-age women meet current moderate-to-vigorous–intensity physical activity (MVPA) recommendations. Given that working-age women spend a substantial proportion of their waking hours at work, places of employment may be an opportune and a controlled setting to implement programs, improving MVPA levels and enhancing cardiometabolic health.

Methods and Results—

Eight electronic databases were searched to identify all prospective cohort and experimental studies reporting an MVPA outcome of workplace interventions for working-age women (mean age, 18–65 years) in high-income Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool; quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. A qualitative synthesis was performed for all studies, and meta-analyses were conducted where possible. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria; 20 studies were included in the meta-analyses. Workplace interventions significantly increased minutes per week of metabolic equivalents (4 studies; standardized mean differences, 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44 to 2.69), but not minutes per week of MVPA (13 studies; standardized mean differences, 0.38; 95% CI, −0.15 to 0.92) or metabolic equivalents per week (3 studies; standardized mean differences, 0.11; 95% CI, −0.48 to 0.71). Workplace interventions also significantly decreased body mass (7 studies; mean differences, −0.83 kg; 95% CI, −1.64 to −0.02), body mass index (6 studies; mean differences, −0.35 kg/m
2
; 95% CI, −0.62 to −0.07), low-density lipoprotein (4 studies; mean differences, −0.11 mmol/L; 95% CI, −0.17 to −0.04), and blood glucose (2 studies; mean differences, −0.18 mmol/L; 95% CI, −0.29 to −0.07). These workplace interventions targeting MVPA levels and known beneficial cardiometabolic health sequelae were of lower quality evidence.

Conclusions—
Workplace interventions variably improve MVPA levels and related cardiometabolic health sequelae of working-age women in high-income Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Our findings underscore the need for ongoing research in this area but also increased dissemination of the existing programs and knowledge.
Delays in Door-to-Needle Times and Their Impact on Treatment Time and Outcomes in Get With The Guidelines-Stroke
Authors: Kamal Noreen , Sheng Shubin , Xian Ying , Matsouaka Roland , Hill Michael D. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Reeves Mathew J. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Schwamm Lee H. , Smith Eric E. 
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose—
Despite quality improvement programs such as the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Target Stroke initiative, a substantial portion of acute ischemic stroke patients are still treated with tissue-type plasminogen activator (alteplase) later than 60 minutes from arrival. This study aims to describe the documented reasons for delays and the associations between reasons for delays and patient outcomes.

Methods—
We analyzed the characteristics of 55 296 patients who received intravenous alteplase in 1422 hospitals participating in Get With The Guidelines-Stroke from October 2012 to April 2015, excluding transferred patients and inpatient strokes. We assessed eligibility, medical, and hospital reasons for delays in door-to-needle time.

Results—
There were 27 778 patients (50.2%) treated within 60 minutes, 10 086 patients (18.2%) treated >60 minutes without documented delays, and 17 432 patients (31.5%) treated >60 minutes with one or more documented reasons for delay. Delayed door-to-needle times were associated with delayed diagnosis (36 minutes longer than those without delay in diagnosis) and hypoglycemia or seizure (34 minutes longer than without those conditions). The presence of documented delays was associated with higher odds of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–1.3) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–1.3) and lower odds of independent ambulation at discharge (odds ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.9–1.0) after adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics.

Conclusions—
Hospital and eligibility delays such as delay diagnosis and inability to determine eligibility were associated with longer door-to-needle times. Improved stroke recognition and management of acute comorbidities may help to reduce door-to-needle times.