bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occupational syncarcinogenesis in the skin – combined effects of two carcinogens from the German occupational disease list
Authors: Dickel Heinrich , Blome Otto , Dickel Beate , Bruckner Thomas , Stockfleth Eggert , Soemantri Silas Paras 
Published: November 2016

SummaryBackgroundThough scientifically undisputed, cutaneous syncarcinogenesis is not reflected in German occupational disease (OD) regulations, which tend to be guided by the tenet of monocausality. Recognition of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and its precursor lesions as OD requires individual assessment as to whether the requirements pursuant to either OD 5103 (occupational exposure to natural UV radiation) or OD 5102 (occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are fulfilled.MethodsRetrospective analysis of 28 patients (median age 72.5 years) with NMSC and respective precursor lesions who had been occupationally exposed to natural UV radiation and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. All cases had undergone expert medical assessment between September 2012 and September 2015.ResultsAccording to our assessments, all 28 cases met the occupational requirements pursuant to OD 5103 and 5102. In 26 cases (93 %), we recommended recognition of skin cancer as occupational disease pursuant to both OD 5103 and OD 5102. The competent occupational insurance association (BG) followed our recommendation in four cases. In eight cases, recognition was solely based on OD 5103; in ten cases, only on OD 5102. Four cases were denied recognition.ConclusionsFollowing adequate cumulative occupational exposure to natural UV light as well as occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, NMSC or its precursor lesions arising in UV‐exposed areas should be reported to the competent occupational insurance association as “OD 5103 and 5102 in terms of syncarcinogenesis”. Apart from the fact that the ensuing recognition proceedings will be able to more adequately reflect real‐life workplace conditions, filing a report pursuant to both ODs also allows for recognition of basal cell carcinoma as occupational disease. According to current regulations, this would not be possible, if the assessment were solely based on OD 5103.
Heavy loads of parasitic freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritiferaL.) larvae impair foraging, activity and dominance performance in juvenile brown trout (Salmo truttaL.)
Authors: Filipsson Karl , Petersson Tina , Höjesjö Johan , Piccolo John J. , Näslund Joacim , Wengström Niklas , Österling E. Martin 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe life cycle of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) includes a parasitic larval phase (glochidia) on the gills of a salmonid host. Glochidia encystment has been shown to affect both swimming ability and prey capture success of brown trout (Salmo trutta), which suggests possible fitness consequences for host fish. To further investigate the relationship between glochidia encystment and behavioural parameters in brown trout, pairs (n = 14) of wild‐caught trout (infested vs. uninfested) were allowed to drift feed in large stream aquaria and foraging success, activity, agonistic behaviour and fish coloration were observed. No differences were found between infested and uninfested fish except for in coloration, where infested fish were significantly darker than uninfested fish. Glochidia load per fish varied from one to several hundred glochidia, however, and high loads had significant effects on foraging, activity and behaviour. Trout with high glochidia loads captured less prey, were less active and showed more subordinate behaviour than did fish with lower loads. Heavy glochidia loads therefore may negatively influence host fitness due to reduced competitive ability. These findings have implications not only for management of mussel populations in the streams, but also for captive breeding programmes which perhaps should avoid high infestation rates. Thus, low levels of infestation on host fish which do not affect trout behaviour but maintains mussel populations may be optimal in these cases.
Deficit in acoustic signal‐in‐noise detection in glycine receptor α3 subunit knockout mice
Authors: Tziridis Konstantin , Buerbank Stefanie , Eulenburg Volker , Dlugaiczyk Julia , Schulze Holger 
Published: November 2016

AbstractHearing is an essential sense for communication in animals and humans. Normal function of the cochlea of higher vertebrates relies on a fine‐tuned interplay of afferent and efferent innervation of both inner and outer hair cells. Efferent inhibition is controlled via olivocochlear feedback loops, mediated mainly by acetylcholine, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine, and is one of the first sites affected by synapto‐ and neuropathy in the development of hearing loss. While the functions of acetylcholine, GABA and other inhibitory transmitters within these feedback loops are at least partially understood, especially the function of glycine still remains elusive. To address this question, we investigated hearing in glycine receptor (GlyR) α3 knockout (KO) and wildtype (WT) mice. We found no differences in pure tone hearing thresholds at 11.3 and 16 kHz between the two groups as assessed by auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements. Detailed analysis of the ABR waves at 11.3 kHz, however, revealed a latency decrease of wave III and an amplitude increase of wave IV in KO compared to WT animals. GlyRα3 KO animals showed significantly impaired prepulse inhibition of the auditory startle response in a noisy environment, indicating that GlyRα3‐mediated glycinergic inhibition is important for signal‐in‐noise detection.
Possible role of calcitonin gene‐related peptide in trigeminal modulation of glomerular microcircuits of the rodent olfactory bulb
Authors: Genovese Federica , Bauersachs Hanke Gwendolyn , Gräßer Ines , Kupke Janina , Magin Laila , Daiber Philipp ,   Sertel‐Nakajima , Möhrlen Frank , Messlinger Karl , Frings Stephan 
Published: November 2016

AbstractChemosensation in the mammalian nose comprises detection of odorants, irritants and pheromones. While the traditional view assigned one distinct sub‐system to each stimulus type, recent research has produced a more complex picture. Odorants are not only detected by olfactory sensory neurons but also by the trigeminal system. Irritants, in turn, may have a distinct odor, and some pheromones are detected by the olfactory epithelium. Moreover, it is well‐established that irritants change odor perception and vice versa. A wealth of psychophysical evidence on olfactory‐trigeminal interactions in humans contrasts with a paucity of structural insight. In particular, it is unclear whether the two systems communicate just by sharing stimuli, or whether neuronal connections mediate cross‐modal signaling. One connection could exist in the olfactory bulb which performs the primary processing of olfactory signals and receives trigeminal innervation. In the present study, neuroanatomical tracing of the mouse ethmoid nerve illustrates how peptidergic fibers enter the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb, where local microcircuits process and filter the afferent signal. Biochemical assays reveal release of calcitonin gene‐related peptide from olfactory bulb slices and attenuation of cAMP signaling by the neuropeptide. In the non‐stimulated tissue, the neuropeptide specifically inhibited the basal activity of calbindin‐expressing periglomerular interneurons, but did not affect the basal activity of neurons expressing calretinin, parvalbumin, or tyrosine hydroxylase, nor the activity of astrocytes. This study represents a first step toward understanding trigeminal neuromodulation of olfactory‐bulb microcircuits and provides a working hypothesis for trigeminal inhibition of olfactory signal processing.
Effect of preceding stimulation on sound localization and its representation in the auditory midbrain
Authors: Tolnai Sandra , Beutelmann Rainer , Klump Georg M. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPrior stimulation can influence the perception of sound source location. Some psychophysical sound localization procedures differ in the amount of prior stimulation, which may affect measures of localization accuracy. If and how particularly the number of preceding stimuli affects sound localization and the neural representation of sound source position has not been investigated so far and will be the focus of the present report. We trained Mongolian gerbils in a left/right discrimination task where the target stimulus was preceded by silence or followed a number of reference stimuli. Localization thresholds decreased with the number of references presented before the target stimulus. The smallest thresholds were found after the presentation of a train of 5 reference stimuli and after silence. We recorded from units in the inferior colliculus (IC) of anaesthetized gerbils using virtual‐acoustic space stimuli mimicking the ones used in the behavioural task and applied signal detection theory to compare behavioural and neurometric thresholds. We found that neurometric thresholds based on spike rate information of single units covered a wide range of threshold values but only neurometric thresholds that were based on responses of small populations of IC units reached consistently thresholds we also observed in the behavioural experiment. Unlike behavioural thresholds, however, neurometric thresholds were independent of the number of reference stimuli suggesting that processing stages downstream from the IC might better reflect the effect of prior stimulation.
A genome scan for selection signatures comparing farmed Atlantic salmon with two wild populations: Testing colocalization among outlier markers, candidate genes, and quantitative trait loci for production traits
Authors: Liu Lei , Ang Keng Pee , Elliott J. A. K. , Kent Matthew Peter , Lien Sigbjørn , MacDonald Danielle , Boulding Elizabeth Grace 
Published: November 2016

AbstractComparative genome scans can be used to identify chromosome regions, but not traits, that are putatively under selection. Identification of targeted traits may be more likely in recently domesticated populations under strong artificial selection for increased production. We used a North American Atlantic salmon 6K SNP dataset to locate genome regions of an aquaculture strain (Saint John River) that were highly diverged from that of its putative wild founder population (Tobique River). First, admixed individuals with partial European ancestry were detected using STRUCTURE and removed from the dataset. Outlier loci were then identified as those showing extreme differentiation between the aquaculture population and the founder population. All Arlequin methods identified an overlapping subset of 17 outlier loci, three of which were also identified by BayeScan. Many outlier loci were near candidate genes and some were near published quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for growth, appetite, maturity, or disease resistance. Parallel comparisons using a wild, nonfounder population (Stewiacke River) yielded only one overlapping outlier locus as well as a known maturity QTL. We conclude that genome scans comparing a recently domesticated strain with its wild founder population can facilitate identification of candidate genes for traits known to have been under strong artificial selection.
Experimental evolution to increase the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against malaria mosquitoes: Effects on mycelial growth and virulence
Authors: Valero‐Jiménez Claudio A. , van Kan Jan A. L. , Koenraadt Constantianus J. M. , Zwaan Bas J. , Schoustra Sijmen E. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractEntomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana are currently considered as a potential control agent for malaria mosquitoes. The success of such strategies depends among others on the efficacy of the fungus to kill its hosts. As B. bassiana can use various resources for growth and reproduction, increasing the dependency on mosquitoes as a nutritional source may be instrumental for reaching this goal. Passage of entomopathogenic fungi through an insect host has been shown to increase its virulence. We evaluated the virulence, fungal outgrowth, mycelial growth rate, and sporulation rate of two B. bassiana isolates (Bb1520 and Bb8028) that underwent 10 consecutive selection cycles through malaria mosquitoes (Anopheles coluzzii) using an experimental evolution approach. This cycling resulted in an altered capacity of evolved B. Bassiana lineages to grow on different substrates while maintaining the ability to kill insects. Notably, however, there were no significant changes in virulence or speed of outgrowth when comparing the evolved lineages against their unevolved ancestors. These results suggest that fungal growth and sporulation evolved through successive and exclusive use of an insect host as a nutritional resource. We discuss the results in light of biocontrol and provide suggestions to increase fungal virulence.
Bad air gets under your skin
Authors: Koohgoli Roxanna , Hudson Laura , Naidoo Khimara , Wilkinson Simon , Chavan Bhaven , Birch‐Machin Mark A. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAir pollution is increasing beyond previous estimates and is viewed as the world's largest environmental health risk factor. Numerous clinical and epidemiological studies have highlighted the adverse effects of environmental pollutants on health. Although there is comparatively less research investigating the cutaneous effects of ambient pollution, there is growing recognition of the adverse effects on skin. In this article, we provide an overview of the nature of environmental pollution and highlight the current evidence detailing the effects on cutaneous health. There is convincing evidence demonstrating that air pollution has a detrimental impact on skin and can exacerbate skin disease. Further epidemiological and experimental studies are required to assess the short‐ and long‐term deleterious effects of ambient pollutant exposure on skin. The future challenge would be to use this evidence to develop specific strategies to protect against pollution‐induced damage and prevent the effects of “bad air getting under our skin.”
Low baseline levels of NK cells may predict a positive response to ipilimumab in melanoma therapy
Authors: Tietze Julia K. , Angelova Daniela , Heppt Markus V. , Ruzicka Thomas , Berking Carola 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe introduction of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has been a breakthrough in the therapy of metastatic melanoma. The influence of ICB on T‐cell populations has been studied extensively, but little is known about the effect on NK cells. In this study, we analysed the relative and absolute amounts of NK cells and of the subpopulations of CD56dim and CD56bright NK cells among the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 32 patients with metastatic melanoma before and under treatment with ipilimumab or pembrolizumab by flow cytometry. In 15 (47%) patients, an abnormal low amount of NK cells was found at baseline. Analysis of the subpopulations showed also low or normal baseline levels for CD56dim NK cells, whereas the baseline levels of CD56bright NK cells were either normal or abnormally high. The relative and absolute amounts of NK cells and of CD56dim and CD56bright NK cell subpopulations in patients with a normal baseline did not change under treatment. However, patients with a low baseline of NK cells and CD56dim NK cells showed a significant increase in these immune cell subsets, but the amounts remained to be lower than the normal baseline. The amount of CD56bright NK cells was unaffected by treatment. The baseline levels of NK cells were correlated with the number of metastatic organs. Their proportion increased, whereas the expression of NKG2D decreased significantly when more than one organ was affected by metastases. Low baseline levels of NK cells and CD56dim NK cells as well as normal baseline levels of CD56bright NK cells correlated significantly with a positive response to ipilimumab but not to pembrolizumab. Survival curves of patients with low amounts of CD56dim NK cells treated with ipilimumab showed a trend to longer survival. Normal baseline levels of CD56bright NK cells were significantly correlated with longer survival as compared to patients with high baseline levels. In conclusion, analysis of the amounts of total NK cells and of CD56dim and CD56bright NK cells subpopulations at baseline may help to predict the outcome of treatment with ipilimumab.
Endothelial cell‐derived endothelin‐1 is involved in abnormal scar formation by dermal fibroblasts through RhoA/Rho‐kinase pathway
Authors: Kiya Koichiro , Kubo Tateki , Kawai Kenichiro , Matsuzaki Shinsuke , Maeda Daisuke , Fujiwara Toshihiro , Nishibayashi Akimitsu , Kanazawa Shigeyuki , Yano Kenji , Amano Genki , Katayama Taiichi , Hosokawa Ko 
Published: November 2016

AbstractHypertrophic scars and keloids are characterized by excessive dermal deposition of extracellular matrix due to fibroblast‐to‐myofibroblast differentiation. Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) is primarily produced by vascular endothelial cells and plays multiple roles in the wound‐healing response and organ fibrogenesis. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiological significance of ET‐1 and involvement of RhoA, a member of the Rho GTPases, in hypertrophic scar/keloid formation. We found that ET‐1 expression on dermal microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) in hypertrophic scars and keloids was higher than that in normal skin and mature scars. We also confirmed that ET‐1 induced myofibroblast differentiation and collagen synthesis in cultured human dermal fibroblasts through the RhoA/Rho‐kinase pathway. Finally, since hypertrophic scar/keloid formation was most prominent in areas exposed to mechanical stretch, we examined how mechanical stretch affected ET‐1 secretion in human dermal microvascular ECs, and found that mechanical stretch increased ET‐1 gene expression and secretion from ECs. Taken together, these results suggest that dermal microvascular ECs release ET‐1 in response to mechanical stretch, and thereby contribute to the formation of hypertrophic scars and keloids through the RhoA/Rho‐kinase pathway.
Dihydroavenanthramide D inhibits mast cell degranulation and exhibits anti‐inflammatory effects through the activation of neurokinin‐1 receptor
Authors: Lotts Tobias , Agelopoulos Konstantin , Phan Ngoc Q. , Loser Karin , Schmaus Gerhard , Luger Thomas A. , Ständer Sonja 
Published: November 2016

AbstractChronic pruritus is difficult to treat. Current treatment options are frequently ineffective and new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Avenanthramides are active substances in oats that exhibit anti‐inflammatory effects. Their potential to interrupt pruritus mechanisms was investigated in this study. It was found that the synthetic analog dihydroavenanthramide D (DHAvD) can interact with the neurokinin‐1 receptor (NK1R) and inhibit mast cell degranulation. DHAvD also affects inflammatory processes and reduces secretion of the cytokine interleukin‐6. Our findings indicate that DHAvD may act as a NK1R inhibitor and could be a promising candidate for topical treatments of chronic pruritus.
Mechanisms regulating inter‐annual variability in zooplankton advection over the Lofoten shelf, implications for cod larvae survival
Authors: Espinasse Boris , Tverberg Vigdis , Basedow Sünnje L. , Hattermann Tore , Nøst Ole Anders , Albretsen Jon , SkarĐhamar Jofrid , Eiane Ketil 
Published: November 2016

AbstractVariability in the availability of suitable prey (mainly nauplii stages of Calanus spp.) in the early life stages of cod is likely a significant contributor to the fluctuations in the year‐class strength in the Arcto Norwegian cod stock. We have investigated the origin of the Lofoten shelf population of Calanus using a particle tracking model approach based on velocity fields simulated from 2002 to 2012. By performing backwards simulations of trajectories from particles released on the Lofoten shelf in early spring, we assessed the relative contribution of potential Calanus sources, such as the Lofoten Basin, the local overwintering on the continental shelf and the adjacent fjords. This analysis revealed significant interannual differences in advection patterns mainly driven by changes in wind conditions and variable strength of the Norwegian Coastal Current. Most of the particles advected into our study area originated on the shelf, and contrary to expectations, only a few originated from the Lofoten Basin where Calanus abundances tend to be high. These results suggest that contribution from the Lofoten Basin to the early spring shelf Calanus population may be overestimated and that contribution from more local sources, especially from adjacent fjords, may play a more important role than what has been previously anticipated. Our results highlight the necessity to improve quantification of shelf‐fjord exchange processes, as these may contribute more to the regulation of spring zooplankton stocks on the northern Norwegian shelf, and, as a result, may affect the survival of cod larvae in this area.
Density‐Driven Free‐Convection Model for Isotopically Fractionated Geogenic Nitrate in Sabkha Brine
Authors: Wood Warren W. , Böhlke J.K. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractSubsurface brines with high nitrate (NO3−) concentration are common in desert environments as atmospheric nitrogen is concentrated by the evaporation of precipitation and little nitrogen uptake. However, in addition to having an elevated mean concentration of ∼525 mg/L (as N), NO3− in the coastal sabkhas of Abu Dhabi is enriched in 15N (mean δ15N ∼17‰), which is an enigma. A NO3− solute mass balance analysis of the sabkha aquifer system suggests that more than 90% of the nitrogen is from local atmospheric deposition and the remainder from ascending brine. In contrast, isotopic mass balances based on Δ17O, δ15N, and δ18O data suggest approximately 80 to 90% of the NO3− could be from ascending brine. As the sabkha has essentially no soil, no vegetation, and no anthropogenic land or water use, we propose to resolve this apparent contradiction with a density‐driven free‐convection transport model. In this conceptual model, the density of rain is increased by solution of surface salts, transporting near‐surface oxygenated NO3− bearing water downward where it encounters reducing conditions and mixes with oxygen‐free ascending geologic brines. In this environment, NO3− is partially reduced to nitrogen gas (N2), thus enriching the remaining NO3− in heavy isotopes. The isotopically fractionated NO3− and nitrogen gas return to the near‐surface oxidizing environment on the upward displacement leg of the free‐convection cycle, where the nitrogen gas is released to the atmosphere and new NO3− is added to the system from atmospheric deposition. This recharge/recycling process has operated over many cycles in the 8000‐year history of the shallow aquifer, progressively concentrating and isotopically fractionating the NO3−.