bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peritoneal dialysis practice in Australia and New Zealand: A call to sustain the action
Authors: Mudge David W , Boudville Neil , Brown Fiona , Clayton Philip , Duddington Michelle , Holt Stephen , Johnson David W , Jose Matthew , Saweirs Walaa , Sud Kamal , Voss David , Walker Rowan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis paper updates a previous ‘Call to Action’ paper (Nephrology 2011; 16: 19–29) that reviewed key outcome data for Australian and New Zealand peritoneal dialysis patients and made recommendations to improve care. Since its publication, peritonitis rates have improved significantly, although they have plateaued more recently. Peritoneal dialysis patient and technique survival in Australian and New Zealand have also improved, with a reduction in the proportion of technique failures attributed to ‘social reasons’. Despite these improvements, technique survival rates overall remain lower than in many other parts of the world. This update includes additional practical recommendations based on published evidence and emerging initiatives to further improve outcomes.
Resource levels and prey state influence antipredator behavior and the strength of nonconsumptive predator effects
Authors: Matassa Catherine M. , Donelan Sarah C. , Luttbeg Barney , Trussell Geoffrey C. 
Published: January 2016

The risk of predation can drive trophic cascades by causing prey to engage in antipredator behavior (e.g. reduced feeding), but these behaviors can be energetically costly for prey. The effects of predation risk on prey (nonconsumptive effects, NCEs) and emergent indirect effects on basal resources should therefore depend on the ecological context (e.g. resource abundance, prey state) in which prey manage growth/predation risk tradeoffs. Despite an abundance of behavioral research and theory examining state‐dependent responses to risk, there is a lack of empirical data on state‐dependent NCEs and their impact on community‐level processes. We used a rocky intertidal food chain to test model predictions for how resources levels and prey state (age/size) shape the magnitude of NCEs. Risk cues from predatory crabsCarcinus maenascaused juvenile and sub‐adult snailsNucella lapillusto increase their use of refuge habitats and decrease their growth and per capita foraging rates on barnaclesSemibalanus balanoides. Increasing resource levels (high barnacle density) and prey state (sub‐adults) enhanced the strength of NCEs.Our results support predictions that NCEs will be stronger in resource‐rich systems that enhance prey state and suggest that the demographic composition of prey populations will influence the role of NCEs in trophic cascades. Contrary to theory, however, we found that resources and prey state had little to no effect on snails in the presence of predation risk. Rather, increases in NCE strength arose because of the strong positive effects of resources and prey state on prey foraging rates in the absence of risk. Hence, a common approach to estimating NCE strength – integrating measurements of prey traits with and without predation risk into a single metric – may mask the underlying mechanisms driving variation in the strength and relative importance of NCEs in ecological communities.
Older people's involvement in activities related to meals in nursing homes
Authors: Grøndahl Vigdis Abrahamsen , Aagaard Heidi 
Published: January 2016

Aims and objectivesTo explore how residents in nursing homes perceive their participation in activities related to food and meals, and possible factors influencing their involvement.BackgroundEating and drinking are fundamental human needs and consequently essential parts of nursing and nursing care. Therefore and as part of nursing care, encouraging older people in nursing homes to engage in different mealtime activities could be one way to increase participation in activities of daily living and more optimal nutrition status among older people.DesignA cross‐sectional survey design was used.MethodsA total of 204 residents (88%) in one Norwegian county agreed to participate and completed a face‐to‐face interview questionnaire about food and meal experiences. Descriptive and comparative statistics was used.ResultsClose to 30% of the residents were vulnerable to malnourishment. None of the residents were involved in menu planning, and more than 90% did not participate in food preparation or setting/clearing tables. Ten per cent were able to choose where they could eat and 5% when they could eat. Older persons living in nursing homes with more than 80 residents and those younger than 65 years of age participated the most, while older people with poor appetites were able to choose more often where they wanted to eat, compared to those with a healthy appetite.ConclusionThe residents in this study appeared to be vulnerable to malnourishment. The results indicated that they only to a limited extent were involved in activities concerning food and meals at the nursing homes.Implications for practiceManagement and nurses should focus on residents' eating and drinking, which are essentials of nursing care. The residents should be asked whether they would like to participate in different mealtime activities. Further, a person‐centred care approach that facilitates activities concerning food and meals should be promoted.
Improvement and transcriptome analysis of root architecture by overexpression of Fraxinus pennsylvanica DREB2A transcription factor in Robinia pseudoacacia L. ‘Idaho’
Authors: Xiu Yu , Iqbal Arshad , Zhu Chen , Wu Guodong , Chang Yanping , Li Na , Cao Yu , Zhang Wenbiao , Zeng Huiming , Chen Shouyi , Wang Huafang 
Published: January 2016

SummaryTranscription factors play a key role to enable plants to cope with abiotic stresses. DREB2 regulates the expression of several stress‐inducible genes and constitutes major hubs in the water stress signalling webs. We cloned and characterized a novel gene encoding the FpDREB2A transcription factor from Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and a yeast activity assay confirmed its DRE binding and transcription activation. Overexpression of FpDREB2A in R. pseudoacacia showed enhanced resistance to drought stress. The transgenic plant survival rate was significantly higher than that of WT in soil drying and re‐watering treatments. Transgenic lines showed a dramatic change in root architecture, and horizontal and vertical roots were found in transgenic plants compared to WT. The vertical roots penetrated in the field soil to more than 60 cm deep, while horizontal roots expanded within the top 20–30 cm of the soil. A physiological test demonstrated that chlorophyll contents were more gradually reduced and that soluble sugars and proline levels elevated more sharply but malondialdehyde level stayed the same (P < 0.05). Plant hormone levels of abscisic acid and IAA were higher than that of WT, while gibberellins and zeatin riboside were found to be lower. The root transcriptomes were sequenced and annotated into 2011 differential expression genes (DEGs). The DEGs were categorized in 149 pathways and were found to be involved in plant hormone signalling, transcription factors, stimulus responses, phenylalanine, carbohydrate and other metabolic pathways. The modified pathways in plant hormone signalling are thought to be the main cause of greater horizontal and vertical root development, in particular.
Late primary transplantation in complex congenital heart disease
Authors: Deshpande Shriprasad R. , Shehata Bahig M. , Sallee Denver , Kogon Brian E. , Mahle William T. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractHeart transplantation is a viable option for patients with congenital heart disease who manifest heart failure, predominantly post‐surgical palliation. We present a case of complex congenital heart disease, where surgical palliation was considered not to be an option. Considerate medical management with close follow‐up allowed for a nine‐yr delay until eventual successful heart transplantation. The case also highlights the natural history over nine yr of the effects of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction on the left ventricular remodeling which is analogous to a PA banding in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Kant's Moral and Political Cosmopolitanism
Authors: Kleingeld Pauline 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn this essay, I first outline the contexts in which the idea of cosmopolitanism appears in Kant's moral and political philosophy. I then survey the three main debates regarding his political cosmopolitanism, namely, on the nature of the international federation he advocated, his theory of cosmopolitan right, and his views on colonialism and ‘race’, and I consider the relation between patriotism and cosmopolitanism in Kant's work. I subsequently discuss Kant's moral cosmopolitanism. Kant is widely held to be a defender of moral cosmopolitanism, but the terminology of world citizenship is in fact strikingly rare in Kant's writings on moral theory. I offer a two‐part explanation for why this is the case.
Pollination of lark daisy on roadsides declines as traffic speed increases along an Amazonian highway
Authors: Dargas J. H. F. , Chaves S. R. , Fischer E. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractEcological disturbances caused by roadways have previously been reported, but traffic speed has not been addressed. We investigate effects of traffic speed on pollination of Centratherum punctatum (Asteraceae) along an Amazonian highway roadside. We hypothesised that frequency of flower visitors, duration of single visits and pollen deposition on stigmas will vary negatively as traffic speed increases. After measuring vehicle velocities, we classified three road sections as low‐, mid‐ and high‐velocity traffic. The main pollinator bee, Augochlora sp., visited C. punctatum inflorescences with decreasing frequency from low‐ to high‐velocity roadside sections, whereas the nectar thief butterflies did the opposite. Duration of single visits by bees and butterflies was shorter, and arrival of pollen on C. punctatum stigmas was lower, in high‐ than in low‐velocity roadside. Air turbulence due to passing vehicles increases with velocity and disturbed the flower visitors. Overall, results support that traffic velocity negatively affects foraging of flower visitors and the pollination of C. punctatum on roadsides.
Airway epithelial repair in health and disease: Orchestrator or simply a player?
Authors: Iosifidis Thomas , Garratt Luke W. , Coombe Deirdre R. , Knight Darryl A. , Stick Stephen M. , Kicic Anthony 
Published: January 2016

AbstractEpithelial cells represent the most important surface of contact in the body and form the first line of defence of the body to external environment. Consequently, epithelia have numerous roles in order to maintain a homeostatic defence barrier. Although the epithelium has been extensively studied over several decades, it remains the focus of new research, indicating a lack of understanding that continues to exist around these cells in specific disease settings. Importantly, evidence is emerging that airway epithelial cells in particular have varied complex functions rather than simple passive roles. One area of current interest is its role following injury. In particular, the epithelial‐specific cellular mechanisms regulating their migration during wound repair remain poorly understood and remain an area that requires much needed investigation. A better understanding of the physiological, cellular and molecular wound repair mechanisms could assist in elucidating pathological processes that contribute to airway epithelial pathology. This review attempts to highlight migration‐specific and cell‐extracellular matrix (ECM) aspects of repair used by epithelial cells under normal and disease settings, in the context of human airways.
Postdialysis Fatigue: A Frequent and Debilitating Symptom
Authors: Bossola Maurizio , Tazza Luigi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPostdialysis fatigue (PDF) is a frequent and debilitating symptom of patients on chronic hemodialysis that affects their daily living and quality of life. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying this symptom and its severity. Only a few studies have investigated therapeutic interventions and with conflicting results. Given the major impact of PDF on the quality of life of hemodialysis patients, a larger effort is warranted to better understand, prevent, and treat PDF.
Autopolyreactivity Confers a Holistic Role in the Immune System
Authors: Avrameas S. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn this review, we summarize and discuss some key findings from the study of naturally occurring autoantibodies. The B‐cell compartment of the immune system appears to recognize almost all endogenous and environmental antigens. This ability is accomplished principally through autopolyreactive humoral and cellular immune receptors. This extended autopolyreactivity (1) along immunoglobulin gene recombination contributes to the immune system's ability to recognize a very large number of self and non‐self constituents; and (2) generates a vast immune network that creates communication channels between the organism's interior and exterior. Thus, the immune system continuously evolves depending on the internal and external stimuli it encounters. Furthermore, this far‐reaching network's existence implies activities resembling those of classical biological factors or activities that modulate the function of other classical biological factors. A few such antibodies have already been found. Another important concept is that natural autoantibodies are highly dependent on the presence or absence of commensal microbes in the organism. These results are in line with past and recent findings showing the fundamental influence of the microbiota on proper immune system development, and necessitate the existence of a host–microbe homeostasis. This homeostasis requires that the participating humoral and cellular receptors are able to recognize self‐antigens and commensal microbes without damaging them. Autopolyreactive immune receptors expressing low affinity for both types of antigens fulfil this role. The immune system appears to play a holistic role similar to that of the nervous system.
Similarity Measurements on Multi‐Scale Qualitative Locations
Authors: Du Shihong , Guo Luo 
Published: January 2016

AbstractQualitative representation of spatial locations and their similarity measurements are essential for the analysis of linguistic term‐based data. Existing methods have focused on the similarities of spatial relations and spatial scenes but have not considered the variations in geometrical representations and relations over scales. This study developed some new measures to assess the similarities of both single‐ and multi‐scale qualitative locations. Region‐ and cell‐based models were used to formalize qualitative locations of spatial objects with respect to multi‐scale frames of reference. The similarities were assessed by integrating the similarities of frames and qualitative relations. The frame similarity measures how two objects are compared considering the common elements that they occupy in the reference frames. Moreover, the similarity of qualitative relation measures how two relations relate two objects to the corresponding elements in the frames. The location similarities at a single level integrate the similarities of the frames and qualitative relations, whereas the location similarities at multiple scales incorporate the variations in qualitative locations over scales. These methods were used to assess location similarities concerning residential areas, roads, and lakes. The results indicated that the location‐based measurements can disclose the distributions of the similarities and that the cell‐based model is more accurate than the region‐based model.
Climate Change Conceptual Change: Scientific Information Can Transform Attitudes
Authors: Ranney Michael Andrew , Clark Dav 
Published: January 2016

AbstractOf this article's seven experiments, the first five demonstrate that virtually no Americans know the basic global warming mechanism. Fortunately, Experiments 2–5 found that 2–45 min of physical–chemical climate instruction durably increased such understandings. This mechanistic learning, or merely receiving seven highly germane statistical facts (Experiment 6), also increased climate‐change acceptance—across the liberal‐conservative spectrum. However, Experiment 7's misleading statistics decreased such acceptance (and dramatically, knowledge–confidence). These readily available attitudinal and conceptual changes through scientific information disconfirm what we term “stasis theory”—which some researchers and many laypeople varyingly maintain. Stasis theory subsumes the claim that informing people (particularly Americans) about climate science may be largely futile or even counterproductive—a view that appears historically naïve, suffers from range restrictions (e.g., near‐zero mechanistic knowledge), and/or misinterprets some polarization and (noncausal) correlational data. Our studies evidenced no polarizations. Finally, we introduce HowGlobalWarmingWorks.org—a website designed to directly enhance public “climate‐change cognition.”
Efficacy of proactive long‐term maintenance therapy of canine atopic dermatitis with 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate spray: a double‐blind placebo controlled pilot study
Authors: Lourenço Ana M. , Schmidt Vanessa , São Braz Berta , Nóbrega Diana , Nunes Telmo , Duarte‐Correia José H. , Matias Daniela , Maruhashi Emi , Rème Christophe A. , Nuttall Tim 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundLong‐term remission between flares of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) can be difficult to achieve. Therefore, additional strategic forms of treatment are needed in order to target flare prevention. The concept of proactive therapy is recommended in the European guidelines for the treatment of human atopic eczema.ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of a proactive treatment regimen with a 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate (HCA) spray for CAD.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs with spontaneous atopic dermatitis (AD) (n = 41).MethodsThis pilot study was conducted as a randomised, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded clinical trial with an end‐point of treatment failure. Dogs were treated once daily to remission, then randomly assigned to receive either the HCA spray (n = 21) or a placebo (n = 20) spray on two consecutive days each week. All dogs were on appropriate flea control. No topical or systemic anti‐inflammatory or antimicrobial agents were permitted. Intention‐to‐treat analysis was used.ResultsAt Day 0, all the dogs were in remission or had mild AD based on their Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, version 3 (CADESI‐03) scores. The time to relapse was significantly higher in the HCA group (median 115 d; range 31–260 d) compared to the placebo group (median 33 d; range 15–61 d) (P < 0.0001). No adverse events were attributable to the HCA spray. Four dogs were lost to follow‐up and four were withdrawn after receiving prohibited medication.Conclusions and clinical importanceThese results indicate that proactive long‐term therapy of CAD with an HCA spray administered on two consecutive days each week is effective and well‐tolerated.
Mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell correction of the impaired biomechanical properties of diabetic skin: The role of miR‐29a
Authors: Zgheib Carlos , Hodges Maggie , Hu Junyi , Beason David P. , Soslowsky Louis J. , Liechty Kenneth W. , Xu Junwang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDiabetic skin has impaired wound healing properties following injury. We have further shown that diabetic skin has weakened biomechanical properties at baseline. We hypothesize that the biomechanical properties of diabetic skin decline during the progression of the diabetic phenotype, and that this decline is due to the dysregulation of miR‐29a, resulting in decreased collagen content. We further hypothesize that treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may improve diabetic wound healing by correction of the dysregulated miR‐29a expression. We analyzed the biomechanical properties, collagen gene expression, collagen protein production, and miR‐29a levels in skin harvested from 6 to 18 week old mice during the development of the diabetic phenotype. We also examined the correction of these impairments by both MSC treatment and the inhibition of miR‐29a. Diabetic skin demonstrated a progressive impairment of biomechanical properties, decreased collagen content, and increased miR‐29a levels during the development of the diabetic phenotype. MSC treatment decreased miR‐29a levels, increased collagen content, and corrected the impaired biomechanical properties of diabetic skin. Additionally, direct inhibition of miR‐29a also increased collagen content in diabetic skin. This decline in the biomechanical properties of diabetic skin during the progression of diabetes may increase the susceptibility of diabetic skin to injury and miR‐29a appears to play a key role in this process.
Regulation of the T‐type Ca2+ channel Cav3.2 by hydrogen sulfide: emerging controversies concerning the role of H2S in nociception
Authors: Elies Jacobo , Scragg Jason L. , Boyle John P. , Gamper Nikita , Peers Chris 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIon channels represent a large and growing family of target proteins regulated by gasotransmitters such as nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and, as described more recently, hydrogen sulfide. Indeed, many of the biological actions of these gases can be accounted for by their ability to modulate ion channel activity. Here, we report recent evidence that H2S is a modulator of low voltage‐activated T‐type Ca2+ channels, and discriminates between the different subtypes of T‐type Ca2+ channel in that it selectively modulates Cav3.2, whilst Cav3.1 and Cav3.3 are unaffected. At high concentrations, H2S augments Cav3.2 currents, an observation which has led to the suggestion that H2S exerts its pro‐nociceptive effects via this channel, since Cav3.2 plays a central role in sensory nerve excitability. However, at more physiological concentrations, H2S is seen to inhibit Cav3.2. This inhibitory action requires the presence of the redox‐sensitive, extracellular region of the channel which is responsible for tonic metal ion binding and which particularly distinguishes this channel isoform from Cav3.1 and 3.3. Further studies indicate that H2S may act in a novel manner to alter channel activity by potentiating the zinc sensitivity/affinity of this binding site. This review discusses the different reports of H2S modulation of T‐type Ca2+ channels, and how such varying effects may impact on nociception given the role of this channel in sensory activity. This subject remains controversial, and future studies are required before the impact of T‐type Ca2+ channel modulation by H2S might be exploited as a novel approach to pain management.
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