bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regucalcin counteracts tert‐butyl hydroperoxide and cadmium‐induced oxidative stress in rat testis
Authors: Correia Sara , Vaz Cátia V. , Silva Ana M. S. , Cavaco José E. , Socorro Sílvia 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRegucalcin (RGN) is a calcium (Ca2+)‐binding protein with multiple physiological roles and has also been linked to the suppression of oxidative stress. It is widely known that oxidative stress adversely affects spermatogenesis, disrupting the development of germ cells, and interfering with sperm function. The present study aims to analyze the role of RGN modulating testicular oxidative stress. To address this issue, seminiferous tubules (SeT) from transgenic rats overexpressing RGN (Tg‐RGN) and wild‐type (WT) were cultured ex vivo for 24 h in the presence/absence of pro‐oxidant stimuli, tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP, 250 and 500 μM) and cadmium chloride (Cd, 10 and 20 μM). Noteworthy, SeT from Tg‐RGN animals displayed a significantly higher antioxidant capacity and diminished levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances relatively to their WT counterparts, both in control and experimental conditions. Regarding the antioxidant defense systems, a significant increase in the activity of glutathione‐S‐transferase was found in the SeT of Tg‐RGN whereas no differences were observed in superoxide dismutase activity throughout experimental conditions. The activity of apoptosis executioner caspase‐3 was significantly increased in the SeT of WT rats treated with 250 μM of TBHP or 10 μM of Cd, an effect not seen in Tg‐RGN animals. These results showed that the SeT of Tg‐RGN animals displayed lower levels of oxidative stress and increased antioxidant defenses, exhibiting protection against oxidative damage and apoptosis. Moreover, the present findings support the antioxidant role of RGN in spermatogenesis, which may be an important issue of further research in the context of male infertility. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of primary lesions using resection or radiotherapy can improve the prognosis of metastatic colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Takada Takahiro , Tsutsumi Soichi , Takahashi Ryo , Ohsone Katsuya , Tatsuki Hironori , Suto Toshinaga , Kato Toshihide , Fujii Takaaki , Yokobori Takehiko , Kuwano Hiroyuki 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundControl of the primary lesions in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is still controversial. For rectal cancer patients, not only resection but also irradiation is expected to provide palliative effects. We investigated the effects of resection and irradiation of primary lesions (local control) on the prognosis of mCRC patients.PatientsForty‐seven patients with mCRC at our institute were examined, with 34 in the local controlled group and 13 in the uncontrolled group.ResultsThe median survival time (MST) of the local controlled and uncontrolled groups were 2.90 and 1.39 years (P = 0.028). Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that local control was an independent prognostic factor (P < 0.05). The patients who underwent primary lesion resection had significantly longer MST (2.90 vs. 1.39 years, P = 0.032) than those in the uncontrolled group. In rectal cancer patients, the patients who underwent irradiation to control the primary lesions had a significantly longer MST than the uncontrolled patient group (1.97 vs. 1.39 years, P = 0.019).ConclusionsLocal control of primary lesions may improve the prognosis in mCRC patients. In rectal cancer patients with metastasis, not only resection but also irradiation of the primary lesions may be a useful therapeutic strategy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:75–79. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiation therapy for the treatment of pulmonary metastases from sarcoma: A potential alternative to resection
Authors: Baumann Brian C. , Nagda Suneel N. , Kolker James D. , Levin William P. , Weber Kristy L. , Berman Abigail T. , Staddon Arthur , Hartner Lee , Hahn Stephen M. , Glatstein Eli , Simone Charles B. 
Published: April 2016

Background/ObjectivesOligometastatic sarcoma pulmonary metastases (PM) are typically treated with resection and/or chemotherapy. We hypothesize that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) can be an alternative to surgery that can achieve high rates of local control (LC) with limited toxicity.MethodsThirty consecutive sarcoma patients received SBRT to 39 PM's from 2011 to 2015 at two university hospitals to a median dose of 50 Gy in 4–5 fractions with CyberKnife or linear accelerator. Patients underwent CT or PET/CT scans q3 months after SBRT.Results77% received prior chemotherapy, 70% had 1–3 prior pulmonary resections, and 26% received prior thoracic radiotherapy. Median lesion size was 2.4 cm (range 0.5–8.1 cm). Median follow‐up was 16 and 23 months for patients alive at last follow‐up. At 12 and 24 months, LC was 94% and 86%, and OS was 76% and 43%. LC and OS did not differ by SBRT technique, fractionation regimen, lesion location, histology, or size (all P > 0.05). Three developed grade 2 chest‐wall toxicity with no other grade ≥2 toxicities.ConclusionsThis is the largest series on SBRT for sarcoma PM's and demonstrates that SBRT is well‐tolerated with excellent LC across tumor locations and sizes. SBRT should be considered in these patients, and prospective studies are warranted. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:65–69. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reactive Materials for Evaporating Samarium
Authors: Abraham Ani , MacDonald Natalia A. , Dreizin Edward L. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractDifferent reactive materials were prepared and evaluated as potential heaters to evaporate refractory and readily ionized samarium metal. Fully dense, nanocomposite powders of thermites and boride‐forming compounds were prepared using arrested reactive milling. In some samples, samarium powder was blended with the nanocomposite powders; in other samples samarium was added using an additional short milling step. Powders were pressed in pellets and ignited at a low pressure. Flame propagation was monitored optically; combustion products were collected and analyzed. It was observed that nanocomposite 2B‐Ti powder, in which samarium was added via an additional milling step was most suitable for evaporating samarium, while preventing its reaction with other material components. Up to 30 wt‐% of samarium could be added and most of it evaporated in the presented experiments.
Managing boldness of wildlife: an ethological approach to reducing crop damage
Authors: Honda Takeshi , Iijima Hayato 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWildlife can cause serious crop damages, and factorial analyses focusing ecological aspects have been conducted to resolve this problem. However, ethological perspectives should also be considered. Individuals often show consistent biases in behaviour—so‐called personality; e.g., boldness may cause to intrude into a farmland. Here, we hypothesized that boldness–shyness traits in wildlife could be managed through selective harvesting on the base of personality traits. We considered several scenarios involving the selective harvesting and fencing as means to prevent crop damage, and assessed their effects on the average boldness and population size using simulation models, assuming that bold individuals tend to enter farmlands, while shy ones prefer to stay in forests. The results showed that fencing and selective harvesting in farmlands reduced both the average boldness and crop damages, while harvesting in forests caused the increase of the both. Those results came from the selective harvesting and fencing on the base of personality traits, and indicate that not only population ecology but also an ethological approach is needed for wildlife management.
Canada’s Strategy of Dispossession: Aboriginal Land and Rights Cessions in Comprehensive Land Claims
Authors: Samson Colin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis paper offers a sociological interpretation of the Canadian Comprehensive Land Claims (CLC) process, arguing that CLC is a strategy used by the state to dispossess Aboriginal peoples. CLC does this through leveraging the cession of Aboriginal rights and the relinquishing of indigenous lands. Drawing upon the ongoing Innu Nation Tshash Petapen (‘New Dawn’) agreement, I examine four related aspects of the process and the agreement which operate to dispossess the Innu: (1) the undemocratic social and political contexts in which agreement is elicited, (2) the depletion of Aboriginal rights of the indigenous party, (3) the depletion of indigenous lands, and (4) the creation of wealth and debt. Finally, I will interpret these processes as building on social changes inflicted on the Innu. These are characterized by imposed law and the state of exception.
Associations between eating frequency and energy intake, energy density, diet quality and body weight status in adults from the USA
Authors: Zhu Yong , Hollis James H. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractTo investigate associations between eating frequency and energy intake, energy density, diet quality and body weight status in adults from the USA, combined data from the 2009–2010 and 2011–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used in this study. The first 24-h dietary recall data from eligible participants (4017 men and 3774 women) were used to calculate eating frequency, as well as energy intake, energy density and the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010), as a measure of diet quality. BMI and waist circumference were obtained from the NHANES body measures data. Adjusting for confounding socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors, a higher eating frequency was significantly associated with higher energy intake in both men and women (bothP<0·001). A higher eating frequency was also significantly associated with lower energy density in both men and women, regardless of whether beverage or water intake was included in the calculation of energy density (allP<0·01). Moreover, there was a significant positive association between eating frequency and the HEI-2010 total score in both men and women (bothP<0·001). Eating frequency was inversely associated with BMI in women (P=0·003), as well as waist circumference in both men (P=0·032) and women (P=0·010). Results from the present study suggested that adults with a higher eating frequency in the USA had a healthier diet with lower energy density and better diet quality, and eating frequency was inversely associated with body weight status.
Carnivore occurrence: do interview-based surveys produce unreliable results?
Authors: Caruso N. , Luengos Vidal E. , Guerisoli M. , Lucherini M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractInterviews with local people have been widely used by biologists as a cost-effective approach to studying certain topics in wildlife ecology and conservation. However, doubts still exist about the validity and quality of the information gathered, especially in studies targeting cryptic or elusive species, such as carnivores. We assessed the reliability of interviews (n = 155) in detecting the presence of three species of carnivores with different characteristics, by comparing interview results with data obtained through camera trapping surveys at 52 sites in central Argentina. The degree of concordance between methods was low for Geoffroy's cat Leopardus geoffroyi and especially for the puma Puma concolor. However, Geoffroy's cats were detected more frequently by camera traps than interviews, whereas the opposite was true for pumas. For the pampas fox Pseudalopex gymnocercus, a less elusive species, we observed a high degree of concordance and a similar probability of occurrence between methods. Our results indicate that data obtained by interviewing local inhabitants should be used with caution because the information about species presence provided by local people may be inaccurate and biased.
Are conservation assessments of threatened species reliable? Updated distribution of the Endangered Sardinian newt Euproctus platycephalus and implications for Red List assessments of Italian amphibians
Authors: Vignoli Leonardo , Macale Daniele , Luiselli Luca , Lecis Roberta , Casula Paolo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAssessing and updating the extinction risk and conservation status of species and populations is paramount to guide management strategies. Maintaining up-to-date and realistic geographical distribution maps of individual species is one aspect of this. We report an updated distribution for an Italian island endemic amphibian, the Sardinian newt Euproctus platycephalus, categorized as Endangered on the IUCN global and national Red Lists. The distribution of E. platycephalus was reassessed by means of visual surveys, questionnaires, interviews and scientific literature. The species was found over a geographical range comparable to that used for the IUCN assessment but we recorded a significantly larger number of populations (57 vs 14). There was no appreciable difference in the species’ Extent of Occurrence between 1972–1974 and 2010–2015. Area of Occupancy increased between past (1972–1974 and 1999–2000) and present (2010–2015) distribution records. Based on this updated distribution and considering that several new populations have been found, the distribution of the species may still be underestimated. Given the novel distribution data provided here and the need for new long-term demographic data, we recommend that the conservation status of E. platycephalus be reassessed. In the Italian national Red List a potential overstatement of extinction risk is evident for other amphibian species, possibly because the information used in their assessment is deficient. Considering that monitoring rare and elusive species is costly and time consuming we recommend more extensive use of multiple sources of information for Red List assessments.
Common mental disorders in young adults born late-preterm
Authors: Heinonen K. , Kajantie E. , Pesonen A.-K. , Lahti M. , Pirkola S. , Wolke D. , Lano A. , Sammallahti S. , Lahti J. , Andersson S. , Eriksson J. G. , Raikkonen K. 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundResults of adulthood mental health of those born late-preterm (34 + 0–36 + 6 weeks + days of gestation) are mixed and based on national registers. We examined if late-preterm birth was associated with a higher risk for common mental disorders in young adulthood when using a diagnostic interview, and if this risk decreased as gestational age increased.MethodA total of 800 young adults (mean = 25.3, s.d. = 0.62 years), born 1985–1986, participated in a follow-up of the Arvo Ylppö Longitudinal Study. Common mental disorders (mood, anxiety and substance use disorders) during the past 12 months were defined using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Munich version). Gestational age was extracted from hospital birth records and categorized into early-preterm (<34 + 0, n = 37), late-preterm (34 + 0–36 + 6, n = 106), term (37 + 0–41 + 6, n = 617) and post-term (⩾42 + 0, n = 40).ResultsThose born late-preterm and at term were at a similar risk for any common mental disorder [odds ratio (OR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–1.84], for mood (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.54–2.25), anxiety (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.40–2.50) and substance use (OR 1.31, 95% CI 0.74–2.32) disorders, and co-morbidity of these disorders (p = 0.38). While the mental disorder risk decreased significantly as gestational age increased, the trend was driven by a higher risk in those born early-preterm.ConclusionsUsing a cohort born during the advanced neonatal and early childhood care, we found that not all individuals born preterm are at risk for common mental disorders in young adulthood – those born late-preterm are not, while those born early-preterm are at a higher risk. Available resources for prevention and intervention should be targeted towards the preterm group born the earliest.
Mean value theorem connected with Fourier coefficients of Hecke-Maass forms for SL(m, ℤ)
Authors: JIANG YUJIAO , LÜ GUANGSHI , YAN XIAOFEI 
Published: April 2016

AbstractLet F(z) be a Hecke–Maass form for SL(m, ℤ) with m ⩽ 3, or be the symmetric power lift of a Hecke–Maass form for SL(2, ℤ) if m = 4, 5 and let AF(n, 1, . . ., 1) be the coefficients of L-function attached to F. We establish

$$\sum_{q\leq Q}\max_{(a,q)=1}\max_{y\leq x}\left|\sum_{n\leq y \atop n\equiv a\bmod q}A_F(n,1, \dots, 1)\Lambda(n)\right| \ll x\log^{-A}x,$$
where Q = xϑ−ϵ with some ϑ > 0, the implied constant depends on F, A, ϵ.
Anomalous germination of dormant dehulled red rice seeds provides a new perspective to study the transition from dormancy to germination and to unravel the role of the caryopsis coat in seed dormancy
Authors: Gianinetti Alberto 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSeed dormancy is the temporary inability of an imbibed seed to germinate under otherwise favourable conditions. It is an important trait for seed persistence in many higher plants. Dormant dehulled red rice caryopses can have a strong dormancy: the studied population shows an almost complete dormancy; that is, these caryopses do not germinate (usually germination is <1–2%) when incubated in water for the time usually adopted for germination tests (i.e. 2 weeks). However, after several months of incubation in water, dormant red rice caryopses start germinating in an anomalous manner. Most notably, the piercing of the caryopsis coat is very slow, sometimes arrested, until the coat completely breaks down and embryo growth is resumed. There is, therefore, a time lag between the initial rupture of the caryopsis coat and the start of seedling growth. It is argued that embryo growth can be triggered by the failure of the caryopsis coat even if seed dormancy has not been previously relieved, and thus germination is started and dormancy is forcefully interrupted. Accordingly, the time course of the anomalous germination shows a Gompertz distribution of times to failure. It is concluded that: (1) if the seed rests with the coat ruptured without further growth, it is still dormant; if so, therefore, (2) the breaking of the coat is not necessarily a marker of germination in this context.
Palliative radiotherapy for Merkel cell carcinoma: single-centre experience and review of the literature
Authors: Kanagaratnam Bharthi , Shah Aadarsh , Anand Girija 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackground and purposeMerkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma with a high risk of loco-regional and distant metastasis. It is predominantly seen in the elderly, on the head and neck or extremities. Although treated primarily with surgery, some patients are too frail. A World Health Organization performance status of two or more with co-existing medical co-morbidities, or the site of the disease adjacent to a critical structure, can prevent surgical management. In this cohort of patients, primary palliative radiotherapy has been found to achieve excellent tumour regression and improve quality of life. A new palliative split-course hypofractionated regime has been used in North Middlesex University Hospital in this cohort of patients. The purpose of this case series was to provide supporting evidence on the efficacy of this dose and fractionation regime and review the literature for the palliative management of Merkel cell carcinoma.Materials and methodsIn total, four patients were treated with the palliative split-course hypofractionated regime. The regime consisted of an initial 20 Gray in 5 fractions over 1 week, a 2-week gap and then a further 20 Gray in 5 fractions over 1 week. Tolerability and response to treatment were evaluated by history and clinical examination.Results and conclusionThe split-course hypofractionated regime was well tolerated, achieved excellent tumour regression and improved quality of life in all four patients. Since then, a further three patients have been successfully treated with the above regime. This case series demonstrates the efficacy of this dose and fractionation in a select group of patients too frail for radical management and adds to the evidence base for the optimal palliative management of Merkel cell carcinoma.
Transcription factor 7-like 1 dysregulates keratinocyte differentiation through upregulating lipocalin 2
Authors: Xu M , Zhang Y , Cheng H , Liu Y , Zou X , Zhan N , Xiao S , Xia Y 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRecent studies strongly suggested that transcription factor 7-like 1 (Tcf7l1, also known as Tcf3) is involved in the differentiation of several types of cells, and demonstrated that Tcf7l1 modulates keratinocytes physiologically through regulating lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a key regulator of cell differentiation. To reveal the potential role of Tcf7l1 in the dysregulation of keratinocyte differentiation, both Tcf7l1 and LCN2 were determined in a variety of skin disorders. The in vitro effect of Tcf7l1 on keratinocyte differentiation was studied by culturing SCC-13 cells, and the human foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs) that were transfected with vectors for overexpressing human papillomavirus E6/E7 or Tcf7l1 genes. We found that both Tcf7l1 and LCN2 were highly expressed in those diseases characterized by defective keratinocyte differentiation (especially psoriasis vulgaris, condyloma acuminatum, squamous cell carcinoma, etc). Moreover, compared with control HFKs, SCC-13 cells and E6/E7-harboring HFKs expressed more Tcf7l1 and LCN2. Tcf7l1 siRNA transfection decreased LCN2 but increased involucrin and loricrin in HFKs under calcium stimuli. Conversely, Tcf7l1 overexpression in SCC-13 cells or vector-transfected HFKs induced lower involucrin and loricrin expression and less keratinocyte apoptosis, both of which, however, were partially abrogated by LCN2 siRNA or neutralizing anti-LCN2 antibody. Interestingly, the Tcf7l1 expression in HFKs correlated positively with the MMP-2 level, and the inhibition of MMP-2 decreased the LCN2 level and even attenuated the effect of Tcf7l1 on LCN2 expression. Therefore, Tcf7l1 dysregulates keratinocyte differentiation, possibly through upregulating the LCN2 pathway in an MMP-2 mediated manner. Elucidating the interaction between Tcf7l1 and LCN2 may help understand disordered cell differentiation in some skin diseases.
miRNA863-3p sequentially targets negative immune regulator ARLPKs and positive regulator SERRATE upon bacterial infection
Authors: Niu Dongdong , Lii Yifan E. , Chellappan Padmanabhan , Lei Lei , Peralta Karl , Jiang Chunhao , Guo Jianhua , Coaker Gitta , Jin Hailing 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPlant small RNAs play important roles in gene regulation during pathogen infection. Here we show that miR863-3p is induced by the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae carrying various effectors. Early during infection, miR863-3p silences two negative regulators of plant defence, atypical receptor-like pseudokinase1 (ARLPK1) and ARLPK2, both lacking extracellular domains and kinase activity, through mRNA degradation to promote immunity. ARLPK1 associates with, and may function through another negative immune regulator ARLPK1-interacting receptor-like kinase 1 (AKIK1), an active kinase with an extracellular domain. Later during infection, miR863-3p silences SERRATE, which is essential for miRNA accumulation and positively regulates defence, through translational inhibition. This results in decreased miR863-3p levels, thus forming a negative feedback loop to attenuate immune responses after successful defence. This is an example of a miRNA that sequentially targets both negative and positive regulators of immunity through two modes of action to fine-tune the timing and amplitude of defence responses.