bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understorey productivity in temperate grassy woodland responds to soil water availability but not to elevated [CO2]
Authors: Collins Luke , Bradstock Ross A. , Resco de Dios Victor , Duursma Remko A. , Velasco Sabrina , Boer Matthias M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRising atmospheric [CO2] and associated climate change are expected to modify primary productivity across a range of ecosystems globally. Increasing aridity is predicted to reduce grassland productivity, although rising [CO2] and associated increases in plant water use efficiency may partially offset the effect of drying on growth. Difficulties arise in predicting the direction and magnitude of future changes in ecosystem productivity, due to limited field experimentation investigating climate and CO2 interactions. We use repeat near‐surface digital photography to quantify the effects of water availability and experimentally manipulated elevated [CO2] (eCO2) on understorey live foliage cover and biomass over three growing seasons in a temperate grassy woodland in south‐eastern Australia. We hypothesised that (i) understorey herbaceous productivity is dependent upon soil water availability, and (ii) that eCO2 will increase productivity, with greatest stimulation occurring under conditions of low water availability. Soil volumetric water content (VWC) determined foliage cover and growth rates over the length of the growing season (August to March), with low VWC (<0.1 m3 m−3) reducing productivity. However, eCO2 did not increase herbaceous cover and biomass over the duration of the experiment, or mitigate the effects of low water availability on understorey growth rates and cover. Our findings suggest that projected increases in aridity in temperate woodlands are likely to lead to reduced understorey productivity, with little scope for eCO2 to offset these changes.
Historical and event‐based bioclimatic suitability predicts regional forest vulnerability to compound effects of severe drought and bark beetle infestation
Authors: Lloret Francisco , Kitzberger Thomas 
Published: January 2018

AbstractVulnerability to climate change, and particularly to climate extreme events, is expected to vary across species ranges. Thus, we need tools to standardize the variability in regional climatic legacy and extreme climate across populations and species. Extreme climate events (e.g., droughts) can erode populations close to the limits of species' climatic tolerance. Populations in climatic‐core locations may also become vulnerable because they have developed a greater demand for resources (i.e., water) that cannot be enough satisfied during the periods of scarcity. These mechanisms can become exacerbated in tree populations when combined with antagonistic biotic interactions, such as insect infestation. We used climatic suitability indices derived from Species Distribution Models (SDMs) to standardize the climatic conditions experienced acrossPinus edulispopulations in southwestern North America, during a historical period (1972–2000) and during an extreme event (2001–2007), when the compound effect of hot drought and bark beetle infestation caused widespread die‐off and mortality.Pinus edulisclimatic suitability diminished dramatically during the die‐off period, with remarkable variation between years.P. edulisdie‐off occurred mainly not just in sites that experienced lower climatic suitability during the drought but also where climatic suitability was higher during the historical period. The combined effect of historically high climatic suitability and a marked decrease in the climatic suitability during the drought best explained the range‐wide mortality. Lagged effects of climatic suitability loss in previous years and co‐occurrence ofJuniperus monospermaalso explainedP. edulisdie‐off in particular years. Overall, the study shows that past climatic legacy, likely determining acclimation, together with competitive interactions plays a major role in responses to extreme drought. It also provides a new approach to standardize the magnitude of climatic variability across populations using SDMs, improving our capacity to predict population's or species' vulnerability to climatic change.
Surfactant‐Enhanced Electroosmotic Flushing in a Trichlorobenzene Contaminated Clayey Soil
Authors: Qiao Wenjing , Ye Shujun , Wu Jichun , Zhang Ming 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRemediation of the sites contaminated with organic contaminants, such as chlorobenzenes, remains a challenging issue. Electroosmotic flushing can be a promising approach which is based on mechanism of electrokinetic remediation for removal of organic contaminants from fluids in low‐permeability soil. To select an optimum surfactant that can effectively enhance electroosmotic flushing, three common surfactants, Triton X‐100 (EK2), Tween 80 (EK3), and a mixture of sodium dodecyl sulfate and Triton X‐100 (EK4) buffered with Na2HPO4/NaH2PO4 solution, were tested. The efficiency of each kind of surfactant was evaluated using a three‐dimensional box filled with a clayey soil spiked with 1,2,4‐trichlorobenzene, and compared with a test (EK1) without surfactant. The results demonstrated that the buffer solutions efficiently neutralized H+ and OH− produced by electrolysis. EK3 with Tween 80 added in the flushing solution reached the highest electroosmotic permeability of 10−4 cm2/v/s and achieved a notably high cumulative electroosmotic flow (EOF) of 5067 mL within 6 d, which was 6.3, 3.4, and 4.2 times higher than that in EK1, EK2, and EK4, respectively. There were 420 mL more cumulative EOF obtained after 50 h of electrical application in EK4 than in EK2. The introduction of nonreactive ions can increase the current, thereby benefiting the EOF. Both the higher pH caused by the buffer and the application of nonionic surfactants can make the zeta potential more negative, thereby increasing the EOF. Tween 80 can be recommended as the best flushing solution for removing organic contaminants from sites when electrokinetic remediation is applied.
Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive Mac‐2 binding protein predicts the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Kawanaka Miwa , Tomiyama Yasuyuki , Hyogo Hideyuki , Koda Masahiko , Shima Toshihide , Tobita Hiroshi , Hiramatsu Akira , Nishino Ken , Okamoto Toshiaki , Sato Shuichi , Hara Yuichi , Nishina Sohji , Kawamoto Hirofumi , Chayama Kazuaki , Okanoue Takeshi , Hino Keisuke 
Published: January 2018

AimAs it is not practical to perform regular screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in all patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), there is a need to identify NAFLD patients who are at high risk for HCC. Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive Mac‐2 binding protein (WFA+‐M2BP) has been shown to be a surrogate marker for predicting HCC as well as a liver fibrosis marker in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. The aim of this study was to investigate whether WFA+‐M2BP predicts HCC development in NAFLD patients.MethodsSerum WFA+‐M2BP was retrospectively measured in 331 patients with histologically proven NAFLD, 51 of whom developed HCC. The association of WFA+‐M2BP and HCC development in NAFLD patients was investigated.ResultsThe WFA+‐M2BP values were significantly greater in NAFLD patients with HCC than in those without HCC among patients with liver fibrosis ≥stage 3. Multivariate analysis identified WFA+‐M2BP as one of the predictive factors for HCC development (odds ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.083–2.265; P = 0.017). The optimal cut‐off index of WFA+‐M2BP for predicting HCC was 1.255 with specificity of 78.4% and sensitivity of 70.4%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value for the prediction of HCC development was 0.806. The cumulative incidence rate of HCC was significantly greater in patients with WFA+‐M2BP ≥ 1.255 (n = 61) than in those with WFA+‐M2BP < 1.255 (n = 137) among patients who were followed up for more than 2 years after the diagnosis of NAFLD.ConclusionsWisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive Mac‐2 binding protein predicts HCC development and is a useful surrogate marker for identifying NAFLD patients who are at a high risk for HCC.
Safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir and ribavirin for genotype 2 hepatitis C Japanese patients with renal dysfunction
Authors: Sho Takuya , Suda Goki , Nagasaka Atsushi , Yamamoto Yoshiya , Furuya Ken , Kumagai Kenichi , Uebayashi Minoru , Terashita Katsumi , Kobayashi Tomoe , Tsunematsu Izumi , Onodera Manabu , Meguro Takashi , Kimura Megumi , Ito Jun , Umemura Machiko , Izumi Takaaki , Kawagishi Naoki , Ohara Masatsugu , Ono Yuji , Nakai Masato , Natsuizaka Mitsuteru , Morikawa Kenichi , Ogawa Koji , Sakamoto Naoya ,   for the NORTE Study Group
Published: January 2018

AimThe safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir (SOF) and ribavirin (RBV) have not been well clarified in patients with renal dysfunction because clinical trials have not included such patients. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of SOF and RBV for genotype 2 hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients with renal dysfunction.MethodsThe study included genotype 2 HCV‐infected patients who received SOF and RBV between July 2014 and May 2017. The sustained virologic response (SVR) after the treatment and safety during the therapy were evaluated according to renal function.ResultsA total of 231 patients were included in this study. The median age was 62 years old, and 45.9% (106/231) were men. Of the 231 patients, 191 (82.8%) and 40 (17.2%) were classified as having chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages G1/2 and G3, respectively. The overall SVR rate was 97% (224/231). The SVR rates in patients with CKD stages G1, 2, G3a, and G3b were 98.1%, 98.6%, 87.9%, and 100%, respectively, and this therapy was tolerated. Multivariate analysis indicated that renal dysfunction was significantly associated with a non‐SVR (odds ratio, 6.963; 95% confidence interval, 1.494–32.41; P = 0.013). The patients with renal dysfunction were older, had advanced liver fibrosis, lower baseline platelet and hemoglobin levels, and a higher rate of RBV dose reduction.ConclusionsSofosbuvir and RBV therapy is highly effective and safe for genotype 2 HCV‐infected Japanese patients. However, attention should be paid to baseline renal function when SOF‐ and RBV‐containing regimens are used for patients with renal dysfunction.
A promising medium‐term follow‐up of pediatric sclerosing cholangitis: Mild phenotype or early diagnosis?
Authors: Ferrari Federica , Ranucci Giusy , Aloi Marina , Della Volpe Luca , Viola Franca , Miele Erasmo , Cucchiara Salvatore , Iorio Raffaele 
Published: January 2018

AimSclerosing cholangitis (SC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease that is being increasingly diagnosed in childhood. The long‐term course and prognosis of pediatric SC are poorly described.MethodsWe reviewed data of pediatric SC patients, followed in two referral centers, during a period of up to 20 years. We aimed to evaluate long‐term outcomes according to SC phenotype.ResultsAmong 45 patients (median age, 10.4 years; male patients, 73.4%) 29 (64.4%) were asymptomatic at presentation. Twenty patients (44%) had a concomitant inflammatory bowel disease (SC/IBD). Autoimmune features were found in 20 patients (44%). Liver biopsy showed severe fibrosis or cirrhosis in 32% of cases. Patients with SC alone had a higher rate of interface hepatitis at liver biopsy than SC/IBD patients. All children received ursodeoxycholic acid at diagnosis, and 17 received steroids and/or azathioprine. After a mean follow‐up of 8.7 ± 5.6 years, all patients were alive and seven developed at least one liver‐related complication. At the end of follow‐up, 10 patients stopped immunosuppressants and two had no therapy. Only two patients underwent liver transplantation. Complication‐free survival did not differ between SC/IBD and SC patients, but survival was longer in patients without autoimmune features.ConclusionsIn our early diagnosed cohort, the 9‐year survival with native liver was better than that reported in other studies. Approximately 15% of patients developed liver‐related disease complications, less than previously reported. The long‐term course of SC was negatively influenced by the presence of autoimmune features, but not by concomitant IBD.
Assessing Convicted Traffickers: Negotiating Migration, Employment and Opportunity through Restricted Networks
Authors: BROAD ROSE 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis article presents a rare insight into convicted ‘traffickers’ and draws on research undertaken using risk assessment data from criminal justice sources relating to those convicted for trafficking offences in the UK between 2004 and 2008. Analysis of these data identified conflicts between the dominant understanding of trafficking and the group of people ultimately convicted for this activity. It is argued that there is a need to contextualise the response to this group with knowledge of their backgrounds often including the structural barriers experienced through migration. Developing an awareness of these offending pathways is important in understanding the nexus between the movement and exploitation of victims and the structures that control access to employment and income as well as for developing effective interventions for those involved in these offences.
Antibiotic prescribing for endodontic therapies: a comparative survey between general dental practitioners and final year Bachelor of Dental Surgery students in Cardiff, UK
Authors: Al Masan A. A. , Dummer P. M. H. , Farnell D. J. J. , Vianna M. E. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimTo evaluate the views of final year dental surgery students (BDS; G1) at Cardiff University and general dental practitioners (GDPs; G2) within the geographic area of Cardiff, Wales, on antibiotic prescribing for endodontic conditions, and investigate the potential differences between the two groups.MethodsA cross‐sectional online questionnaire‐based survey of 12 qualitative and quantitative questions was distributed to 76 final year BDS Cardiff University students and 55 dental practices within Cardiff, UK. Six questions recorded general information, and the remaining questions included a series of hypothetical clinical scenarios, where the participants were asked to state whether they would or would not prescribe antibiotics. The data were analysed using spss version 23 to produce descriptive statistics, contingency tables and to run chi‐square (χ²) tests, Fisher's exact tests and relative risk calculations.ResultsThe response rate was 60% (n = 79). All G1 participants were aware of the consequences of antibiotic overuse. Approximately 60% of responders were aware of guidelines for antibiotic use in endodontic therapies, and 83% would only use antibiotics for a limited selection of patients (e.g. patients with systemic complications). G1 responses to clinical scenarios indicated overall that they were comparable to the ideal answers except for acute apical abscess (64% believed that antibiotics were indicated). The majority of G2 were aware of the consequences of antibiotic overuse. Only 28% of G2 were aware of guidelines for antibiotic use in endodontic therapies. Overall responses revealed that antibiotics would be prescribed for: systemic complications (78%), acute apical abscess (72%) and symptomatic apical periodontitis (28%). The clinical scenarios revealed G1 were more likely to prescribe antibiotics compared to G2 for cases of necrotic pulp with symptomatic apical periodontitis without systemic complications (incorrect answer) and less likely to other clinical scenarios such as necrotic pulp and asymptomatic apical periodontitis for patients with a history of rheumatic fever (ideal answers), symptomatic irreversible/reversible pulpitis, failure to achieve anaesthesia, chronic apical abscess for patients with diabetes. The recognition of antibiotic prescription for cases with signs of spreading infection was more evident in G2.ConclusionFinal year undergraduate students were aware of the antibiotic resistance crisis, although a third was not aware of guidelines for use of antibiotics in endodontic conditions; their responses to clinical scenario were generally compatible with the guidelines. General dentists were less aware of the implications of overuse of antibiotics and the existence of guidelines, and their responses were occasionally incompatible with antibiotic guidelines for endodontic therapies.
Promoter hypermethylation of SOX11 correlates with adverse clinicopathological features of human prostate cancer
Authors: Pugongchai Apiwat , Bychkov Andrey , Sampatanukul Pichet 
Published: January 2018

SummaryCurrently available tools for early diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer lack sufficient accuracy. There is a need to identify novel biomarkers for this common malignancy. SOX family genes play an important role in embryogenesis and are also implicated in various cancers. SOX11 has been recently recognized as a potential tumour suppressor that is downregulated in prostate cancer. We hypothesized that hypermethylation may be responsible for SOX11 silencing in human prostate cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate SOX11 promoter methylation in prostate adenocarcinoma by comparing it with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A total of 143 human prostate tissue samples, 62 from patients with prostate cancer and 81 from patients with BPH were examined by methylation‐specific PCR. Associations between SOX11 promoter methylation and clinicopathological parameters were assessed by univariate statistics. Detection rates of SOX11 promoter methylation were 80.6% and 35.8% in prostate cancer and BPH respectively (P < 0.001). SOX11 hypermethylation was associated with adverse clinicopathological characteristics of prostate cancer, including higher PSA level (P < 0.01), Gleason score ≥ 7 (P = 0.03) and perineural invasion (P = 0.03). SOX11 methylation was positively correlated with the PSA level (P = 0.001). Our data indicated that SOX11 can be a promising methylation marker candidate for differential diagnosis and risk stratification for prostate cancer.
Synthesis of mesoporous magnesium phosphates as dispersing carriers for cryptotanshinone solid dispersions
Authors: Zhou Huan , Bi Yaping , Yang Mengmeng , Wang Wenjie , Ni Xinye , Xu Defeng 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn current work, solid dispersions (SDs) of Cryptotanshinone (CPT) using mesoporous magnesium phosphates (MgPs) as the dispersing carrier (CPT‐MgPs SDs) were prepared, characterized, and evaluated. Three mesoporous MgPs (MgP, MgP‐Vc, and MgP‐Triton) with different phases and morphology were hydrothermally synthesized first. After that, they were combined with CPT to prepare SDs by an ethanol‐based solvent evaporation method. It was observed that the large CPT crystals were transformed into amorphous micro‐molecular particles and well dispersed in MgPs nanoparticles after the solvent evaporation procedure. In addition, all MgPs were self‐assembled into microspherical agglomerates of palate‐like particles. The dissolution studies of CPT from MgPs indicated that 1) the dissolution of CPT from SDs can be improved on comparison to pure CPT, 2) MgP is the best among all carrier tested, but still not satisfactory. In addition, 2 other phenomena about CPT‐MgP SD were observed. One was that an apparent increasing trend is seen between the MgP weight ratios and the dissolution rate of CPT. The other one was that MgP can be a pH responsive carrier to tailor the dissolution behavior of CPT. Development of promising SD with CPT solubility improvement, pH responsibility, and sustained drug release ability is still deserved in future.
Nostalgia and consumer preference for indulgent foods: The role of social connectedness
Authors: Wang Xuehua , Keh Hean Tat , Chao Chen‐Ho 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPrior qualitative research suggests a strong association between nostalgia and indulgent food consumption. Nonetheless, these qualitative findings do not explain the causal relationship between nostalgia and indulgent food consumption, or the mechanism underlying this relationship. To this end, the authors conduct four studies and show that highly nostalgic consumers have greater preference for indulgent foods. This relationship is mediated by social connectedness, whereby high (low) nostalgia works through high (low) social connectedness to increase (decrease) consumers’ preference for indulgent foods. This effect is moderated by eating companions, such that the effect of nostalgia on consumers’ preference for indulgent foods would be strengthened (vs. weakened) when eating with friends (vs. with strangers or alone). These findings have significant implications on consumer well‐being and policy‐making pertaining to consumer health.
Nail changes in alopecia areata: an update and review
Authors: Chelidze Khatiya , Lipner Shari R. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractNail changes are a common feature of alopecia areata (AA) and are a significant source of cosmetic disfigurement and functional impairment. This review provides an update of the prevalence, clinical and histopathological features, pathogenesis, differential diagnosis, clinical course, prognosis, and management of nail changes in patients with AA. Searches for peer‐reviewed journal articles were conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE database with the search terms “nail changes alopecia areata,” “alopecia areata nails,” and specific searches on “trachyonychia alopecia areata” and “pitting alopecia areata.” Other sources of articles included the reference lists of retrieved articles. Nail changes are a common feature of AA, with an average prevalence of 30%, and can cause significant disfigurement and loss of function. Pitting and trachyonychia were by far the most common manifestations of AA, with an average prevalence of 20 and 8%, respectively. Red spotted lunulae, onycholysis, and punctate leukonychia were other reported findings. Other etiologies, such as onychomycosis or lichen planus, may coexist with or confound the diagnosis. There is limited published data on the clinical manifestations of AA‐associated nail changes and therapeutic options. Larger controlled trials are necessary to guide treatment decisions.
Regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase by arabinoxylans with molecular characterisation from wheat flour in cultured human monocytes
Authors: Zhang Zhengxiao , Smith Christopher , Ashworth Jason , Li Weili 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThe immunomodulatory activity of the arabinoxylans (AXs) extracts from cereal sources has been reported to impart health benefits in terms of immune enhancement. This study investigated the effect of enzymatic extraction on extraction yield and structure of AXs from wheat flour pentosan fraction. Under the optimised conditions, the extraction yield of AXs reached up to 81.25%. Furthermore, the study determined whether water‐extracted AXs (WEAXs) and enzyme‐extracted AXs (E‐WEAXs) from wheat flour were able to differentially stimulate nitric oxide (NO) secretion through increased levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in human U937 monocytes. The results indicated that AXs concomitantly induced (P < 0.05) both NO and iNOS productions in U937 monocytes compared to untreated cells. Compared with WEAXs, E‐WEAXs resulted in a higher proportion of low Mw (1–10 KDa) AXs (49.51% vs. 19.11% in WEAXs), a higher A/X ratio (0.83 vs. 0.48 in WEAXs) and a higher yield (12.83 ± 0.35% vs. 7.54 ± 0.47% in WEAXs). Moreover, E‐WEAXs induced significantly (P < 0.05) greater NO and iNOS production per million viable cells (61.8 ± 2.7 μm and 42.41 ± 3.83 ng respectively) than WEAXs (51.6 ± 2.6 μm and 33.46 ± 1.48 ng, respectively). The findings suggest AXs may heighten innate immune activity in the absence of infection or disease through an iNOS‐mediated stimulation of NO production. The immunomodulatory activity of the wheat‐derived AXs was enhanced by enzyme treatment, with low Mw and high A/X ratio associated with elevated NO/iNOS levels in human monocytes compared to water extraction.