bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of biological soil crusts on soil detachment process by overland flow in the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Liu Fa , Zhang Guang‐hui , Sun Long , Wang Hao 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBiological soil crusts (BSCs) cover up to 60 to 70% of the soil surface in grasslands after the ‘Grain for Green’ project was implemented in 1999 to rehabilitate the Loess Plateau. However, few studies exist that quantify the effects of BSCs on the soil detachment process by overland flow in the Loess Plateau. This study investigated the potential effects of BSCs on the soil detachment capacity (Dc), and soil resistance to flowing water erosion reflected by rill erodibility and critical shear stress. Two dominant BSC types that developed in the Loess Plateau (the later successional moss and the early successional cyanobacteria mixed with moss) were tested against natural soil samples collected from two abandoned farmland areas. The samples were subjected to flow scouring under six different shear stresses ranging from 7.15 to 24.08 Pa. The results showed that Dc decreased significantly with crust coverage under both moss and mixed crusts. The mean Dc of bare soil (0.823 kg m−2 s−1) was 2.9 to 48.4 times greater than those of moss covered soil (0.017–0.284 kg m−2 s−1), while it (3.142 kg m−2 s−1) was 4.9 to 149.6 times greater than those of mixed covered soil (0.021–0.641 kg m−2 s−1). The relative detachment rate of BSCs compared with bare soils decreased exponentially with increasing BSC coverage for both types of BSCs. The Dc value can be simulated by flow shear stress, cohesion, and BSC coverage using a power function (NSE ≥ 0.59). Rill erodibility also decreased with coverage of both crust types. Rill erodibility of bare soil was 3 to 74 times greater than those of moss covered soil and was 2 to 165 times greater than those of mixed covered soil. Rill erodibility could also be estimated by BSC coverage in the Loess Plateau (NSE ≥ 0.91). The effect of crust coverage on critical shear stress was not significant. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prehistorical frequency of high‐energy marine inundation events driven by typhoons in the Bay of Bangkok (Thailand), interpreted from coastal carbonate boulders
Authors: Terry James P. , Dunne Kieran , Jankaew Kruawun 
Published: November 2015

AbstractRapidly rising populations of low‐lying megacities in Asia mean that understanding the potential risk of coastal flooding by storm surge is of paramount concern. The city of Bangkok and the wider Chao Phraya River delta at the head of the Gulf of Thailand is a region topographically vulnerable to coastal flooding, but without the record of a high‐energy marine inundation (HEMI) event in historical time owing to the atypical path that a typhoon must take to be able to produce such an event.This work builds upon previous findings that identified coastal depositional evidence for HEMI events in the form of coastal carbonate boulders (CCBs) located on Ko Larn Island in the eastern Bay of Bangkok. The HEMI events were most likely driven by typhoons and the CCBs are therefore interpreted as typhoon deposits. Through uranium/thorium dating, it is revealed that from ad 1400 to ad 1600 the Bay of Bangkok possibly experienced a phase of relatively heightened storm impact. During this period, the frequency of typhoon‐driven HEMI events was approximately four events in 200 years. Waves generated onshore minimum flow velocities (MFVs) in excess of 5 m/s. Such exceptional MFVs are unlikely to be produced during the annual northeast monsoon, but are consistent with typhoon‐impacted coastlines elsewhere in the tropical Asia–Pacific region where similar CCB evidence exists. Since ad 1600, the Bay of Bangkok has enjoyed a relatively quiescent phase, recording less frequent HEMI events and of lower magnitude. However, the re‐occurrence of a typhoon‐driven HEMI event on the scale of the prehistorical events that emplaced carbonate boulders at elevation on Ko Larn Island would threaten low‐lying coasts in the Bay of Bangkok, including the Chao Phraya delta, with potentially damaging inundation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aerobic biodegradation potential of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in surface-water sediment at Rocky Mountain National Park, USA
Authors: Bradley Paul M. , Battaglin William A. , Iwanowicz Luke R. , Clark Jimmy M. , Journey Celeste A. 
Published: November 2015

Abstract

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in surface water and bed sediment threaten the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. In natural, remote, and protected surface-water environments where contaminant releases are sporadic, contaminant biodegradation is a fundamental driver of exposure concentration, timing, duration, and, thus, EDC ecological risk. Anthropogenic contaminants, including known and suspected EDCs, were detected in surface water and sediment collected from 2 streams and 2 lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado, USA). The potential for aerobic EDC biodegradation was assessed in collected sediments using 6 14C-radiolabeled model compounds. Aerobic microbial mineralization of natural (estrone and 17β-estradiol) and synthetic (17α-ethinylestradiol) estrogen was significant at all sites. Bed sediment microbial communities in Rocky Mountain National Park also effectively degraded the xenoestrogens bisphenol-A and 4-nonylphenol. The same sediment samples exhibited little potential for aerobic biodegradation of triclocarban, however, illustrating the need to assess a wider range of contaminant compounds. The present study's results support recent concerns over the widespread environmental occurrence of carbanalide antibacterials, like triclocarban and triclosan, and suggest that backcountry use of products containing these compounds should be discouraged. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1087–1096. Published 2015 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Use of the wetting method on cassava flour in three konzo villages in Mozambique reduces cyanide intake and may prevent konzo in future droughts
Authors: Nhassico Dulce , Bradbury James Howard , Cliff Julie , Majonda Rita , Cuambe Constantino , Denton Ian C. , Foster Matthew P. , Martins Arlinda , Cumbane Adelaide , Sitoe Luis , Pedro Joao , Muquingue Humberto 
Published: November 2015

AbstractKonzo is an irreversible paralysis of the legs that occurs mainly in children and young women associated with large cyanide intake from bitter cassava coupled with malnutrition. In East Africa outbreaks occur during drought, when cassava plants produce much more cyanogens than normal. A wetting method that removes cyanogens from cassava flour was taught to the women of three konzo villages in Mozambique, to prevent sporadic konzo and konzo outbreaks in the next drought. The intervention was in three villages with 72 konzo cases and mean konzo prevalence of 1.2%. The percentage of children with high (>350 μmol/L) urinary thiocyanate content and at risk of contracting konzo in Cava, Acordos de Lusaka, and Mujocojo reduced from 52, 10, and 6 at baseline to 17, 0, and 4 at conclusion of the intervention. Cassava flour showed large reductions in total cyanide over the intervention. The percentage of households using the wetting method was 30–40% in Acordos de Lusaka and Mujocojo and less in Cava. If the wetting method is used extensively by households during drought it should prevent konzo outbreaks and chronic cyanide intoxication. We recommend that the wetting method be taught in all konzo areas in East Africa.
Transcriptional and morphological effects of tamoxifen on the early development of zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Xia Liang , Zheng Liang , Zhou Jun Liang 
Published: November 2015

AbstractTamoxifen is a widely used anticancer drug with both an estrogen agonist and antagonist effect. This study focused on its endocrine disrupting effect, and overall environmental significance. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to different concentrations (0.5, 5, 50 and 500 µg l–1) of tamoxifen for 96 h. The results showed a complex effect of tamoxifen on zebrafish embryo development. For the 500 µg l–1 exposure group, the heart rate was decreased by 20% and mild defects in caudal fin and skin were observed. Expressions of a series of genes related to endocrine and morphological changes were subsequently tested through quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Bisphenol A as a known estrogen was also tested as an endocrine‐related comparison. Among the expression of endocrine‐related genes, esr1, ar, cyp19a1b, hsd3b1 and ugt1a1 were all increased by tamoxifen exposure, similar to bisphenol A. The cyp19a1b is a key gene that controls estrogen synthesis. Exposure to 0.5, 5, 50 and 500 µg l–1 of tamoxifen caused upregulation of cyp19a1b expression to 152%, 568%, 953% and 2024% compared to controls, higher than the effects from the same concentrations of bisphenol A treatment, yet vtg1 was suppressed by 24% from exposure to 500 µg l–1 tamoxifen. The expression of metabolic‐related genes such as cyp1a, cyp1c2, cyp3a65, gpx1a, gstp1, gsr and genes related to observed morphological changes such as krt17 were also found to be upregulated by high concentrations of tamoxifen. These findings indicated the potential environmental effect of tamoxifen on teleost early development. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and in vivo testing of a high frequency endoscopic Raman spectroscopy system for potential applications in the detection of early colonic neoplasia
Authors: Short Michael A. , Wang Wenbo , Tai Isabella T. , Zeng Haishan 
Published: November 2015

The objective of this study was to build and test an adjunct system to a colonoscope for in vivo measurement of Raman spectra from colon tissue for potentially improving the detection of early cancers. The novelty of this system was that low cost fibre optic probes were used, without the addition of expensive optical filters. Good quality in vivo Raman spectra were successfully obtained with a 1 s integration time in the high frequency (HF) range from normal tissue and polyps of patients during a colonoscopy. The polyps were subsequently removed, and their pathology determined. The acquired in vivo Raman spectra showed clear changes between tissue with normal and tubular adenoma pathology. Further clinical study with this low cost HF Raman probe is warranted to fully test its clinical utility.
Left: Raman probe orientated on a suspected polyp (indicated by arrow) under video surveillance during a colonoscopy. Right: average Raman spectra from 2800–3050 cm–1 obtained from polyps at different stages of disease. The peak intensities are in arbitrary units.magnified imageLeft: Raman probe orientated on a suspected polyp (indicated by arrow) under video surveillance during a colonoscopy. Right: average Raman spectra from 2800–3050 cm–1 obtained from polyps at different stages of disease. The peak intensities are in arbitrary units.
Incidence and Characteristics of Atypical Femoral Fractures: Clinical and Geometrical Data
Authors: Mahjoub Zeineb , Jean Sonia , Leclerc Jean-Thomas , Brown Jacques P , Boulet Dominic , Pelet Stéphane , Grondin Charlotte , Dumont Jeannette , Belzile Étienne L , Michou Laetitia 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACT

Despite the multitude of studies published on atypical femoral fractures (AFFs), a profile for patients at risk does not exist. This study aimed first at estimating AFF incidence over a 19-month-period in Quebec City using the ASBMR Task force criteria to define AFF. The medical records of patients hospitalized for hip or femoral fracture between June 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010, were reviewed. Thirty-six cases of atypical fractures were identified during the 19-month period, representing an AFF incidence of 7.0 (range, 4.7 to 9.3) cases per 100,000 person-years. In the second part of the study, data regarding the characteristics suspected of increasing the risks of AFF were collected from medical and pharmacological records, proximal femur radiographs, and patient interviews. The data regarding each patient with an AFF during years 2008-2011 were compared to two controls with a hip or femoral fragility fracture or a traumatic fracture, paired for age and sex. Twenty patients with AFF were added to the 36 patients with AFF selected in the first part, thereby 56 patients with AFF were investigated. The association between the occurrence of AFF and bisphosphonates (BPs) use was proven statistically significant in multivariate analysis, odds ratio (OR) = 10.39 (95% CI, 2.22 to 48.58; p = 0.0029). Compared to controls, patients with AFF had excessive femoral offset (43.1 mm versus 38.3 mm, p = 0.0007), proximal femoral neck angle in varus (128.9 degrees versus 134.0 degrees, p &lt; 0.0001), and had greater proximal cortical thickness. This retrospective study confirms the low incidence of AFF, confirms its significant association with exposure to BPs, and reveals the possible contribution of proximal femoral geometry in AFF occurrence. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Determinants of Transitional Zone Area and Porosity of the Proximal Femur Quantified In Vivo in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Shigdel Rajesh , Osima Marit , Lukic Marko , Ahmed Luai A , Joakimsen Ragnar M , Eriksen Erik F , Bjørnerem Åshild 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACT

Bone architecture as well as size and shape is important for bone strength and risk of fracture. Most bone loss is cortical and occurs by trabecularization of the inner part of the cortex. We therefore wanted to identify determinants of the bone architecture, especially the area and porosity of the transitional zone, an inner cortical region with a large surface/matrix volume available for intracortical remodeling. In 211 postmenopausal women aged 54 to 94 years with nonvertebral fractures and 232 controls from the Tromsø Study, Norway, we quantified femoral subtrochanteric architecture in CT images using StrAx1.0 software, and serum levels of bone turnover markers (BTM, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen). Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were used to quantify associations of age, weight, height, and bone size with bone architecture and BTM, and odds ratio (OR) for fracture. Increasing age, height, and larger total cross-sectional area (TCSA) were associated with larger transitional zone CSA and transitional zone CSA/TCSA (standardized coefficients [STB] = 0.11 to 0.80, p ≤ 0.05). Increasing weight was associated with larger TCSA, but smaller transitional zone CSA/TCSA and thicker cortices (STB = 0.15 to 0.22, p &lt; 0.01). Increasing height and TCSA were associated with higher porosity of the transitional zone (STB = 0.12 to 0.46, p &lt; 0.05). Increasing BTM were associated with larger TCSA, larger transitional zone CSA/TCSA, and higher porosity of each of the cortical compartments (p &lt; 0.01). Fracture cases exhibited larger transitional zone CSA and higher porosity than controls (p &lt; 0.001). Per SD increasing CSA and porosity of the transitional zone, OR for fracture was 1.71 (95% CI, 1.37 to 2.14) and 1.51 (95% CI, 1.23 to 1.85), respectively. Cortical bone architecture is determined mainly by bone size as built during growth and is modified by lifestyle factors throughout life through bone turnover. Fracture cases exhibited larger transitional zone area and porosity, highlighting the importance of cortical bone architecture for fracture propensity. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Dysregulated miR-98 Contributes to Extracellular Matrix Degradation by Targeting IL-6/STAT3 Signaling Pathway in Human Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Authors: Ji Ming-liang , Lu Jun , Shi Pei-liang , Zhang Xue-jun , Wang Shan-zheng , Chang Qing , Chen Hui , Wang Chen 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACT

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is associated with dysregulated expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this disorder remain unclear. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that miRNAs modulate IDD through effects on the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway, a potential regulator of IDD. The miRNA expression profile was determined in nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues from patients with IDD and controls, employing miRNA microarray and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Biological functions of differential expression miRNAs were further investigated using immunofluorescent staining. Luciferase reporter assays and Western blotting were performed to determine miRNA targets. We identified 41 miRNAs that were differentially expressed in patients compared with controls. Following RT-qPCR confirmation, miR-98 was significantly downregulated in degenerative NP tissues. Moreover, its level was inversely correlated with grade of disc degeneration. Through gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies, miR-98 was shown to significantly promote type II collagen expression in NP cells. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was identified as a target of miR-98. Knockdown of IL-6 induced effects on NP cells similar to those induced by miR-98. In contrast, IL-6 treatment abrogated the effects induced by miR-98 upregulation. Moreover, miR-98 dramatically suppressed expression of STAT3 target gene, MMP2. IL-6 treatment antagonized this effect, whereas knockdown of IL-6 by IL-6 short hairpin RNA (shIL-6) induced inhibitory effects on the expression of p-STAT3 and its main target genes, similar to miR-98. The mRNA level of IL-6 was inversely correlated with that of miR-98 in degenerative NP tissues. These results suggest the downregulation of miR-98 could promote IDD through the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. Our findings also highlight miR-98 as a novel hopeful therapeutic target for IDD. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Eigenvalues of ‐Free Graphs and the Connectivity of Their Independence Complexes
Authors: Aharoni Ron , Alon Noga , Berger Eli 
Published: November 2015

AbstractLet G be a graph on n vertices, with maximal degree d, and not containing as an induced subgraph. We prove:

Here is the maximal eigenvalue of the Laplacian of G, is the independence complex of G, and denotes the topological connectivity of a complex plus 2. These results provide improved bounds for the existence of independent transversals in ‐free graphs.
In vivo assessment of immunomodulatory activity of hydrolysed peptides from Corylus heterophylla Fisch
Authors: Ren Dayong , Wang Mingshuang , Shen Minghao , Liu Chunlei , Liu Wei , Min Weihong , Liu Jingsheng 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDHazelnut dregs are by‐products of hazelnut oil expression, which have not been fully exploited. This research aims to assess the immunomodulatory function of hazelnut hydrolysed peptides (HHPs).RESULTSHHPs with a hydrolysis degree of 38.08% were divided into three fractions by ultra‐filtration: the high molecular weight peptide (>10 kDa), medium molecular weight peptide (3 kDa to 10 kDa), and low molecular weight peptide (<3 kDa). Mice were fed daily with HHPs of different molecular weights at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg kg−1 body weight. On the 10th, 20th and 30th day of feeding, representative immune indexes were measured. Results showed that HHPs can regulate the immune system of mice, which is affected by the molecular weight of HHP and the feeding time. Generally, short‐term feeding (10 d to 20 d) with HHPs of different molecular weights can improve most immune indexes (organ index, spleen lymphocyte proliferation, macrophage activity, secretory immunoglobulin A content, and number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells), whereas during long‐term feeding (30 d), low molecular weight HHP can better sustain immune regulation.CONCLUSIONHHPs exhibit potential immunomodulatory properties, which has promising implications for the development of new functional foods. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Anxiety and depression associated with urinary incontinence. A 10‐year follow‐up study from the Norwegian HUNT study (EPINCONT)
Authors: Felde Gunhild , Ebbesen Marit Helen , Hunskaar Steinar 
Published: November 2015

AimsFirstly, to investigate the association between depression, anxiety and urinary incontinence (UI) in a 10‐year longitudinal study of women. Secondly, to investigate the association between possible differences in the stress‐ and urgency components of UI and different severities of depression and anxiety by age groups.MethodsIn a longitudinal, population‐based survey study, the EPINCONT part of the HUNT study in Norway, we analyzed questionnaire data on UI, depression and anxiety from 16,263 women from 20 years of age. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to predict the odds of developing anxiety and depression among the women with and without UI at baseline and the odds of developing UI among the women with and without anxiety or depression at baseline.ResultsFor women with any UI at baseline we found an association with the incidence of depression and anxiety symptoms, OR 1.45 (1.23–1.72) and 1.26 (1.8–1.47) for mild depression and anxiety respectively. For women with depression or anxiety symptoms at baseline we found an association with the incidence of any UI with OR 2.09 (1.55–2.83) and 1.65 (1.34–2.03) for moderate/severe symptom‐score for depression and anxiety, respectively, for the whole sample.ConclusionsIn this study, both depression and anxiety are shown to be risk factors for developing UI with a dose‐dependent trend. UI is associated with increased incidence of depression and anxiety. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:322–328, 2017. © 2015 The Authors. Neurourology and Urodynamics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Management of LUTS in patients with dementia and associated disorders
Authors: Averbeck Márcio Augusto , Altaweel Waleed , Manu‐Marin Andrei , Madersbacher Helmut 
Published: November 2015

AimsTo systematically review the management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with dementia and associated disorders.MethodsThis systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA statement. Studies were identified by electronic search of Embase and Medline databases (last search August 2015) and by screening of reference lists and reviews.ResultsOf 1,426 abstracts that were screened, 102 full‐text articles were identified and assessed for eligibility. Seventy‐six articles were then included in the quantitative synthesis. Urinary incontinence (UI) prevalence rates in dementia patients have varied considerably, ranging from 11 to 93%. In Alzheimer's disease patients, UI usually correlates with disease progression (late‐stage dementia). In contrast, LUTS usually precede severe mental failure in Lewy body disease and in vascular dementia. Behavioral therapy, including toilet training and prompted voiding, may be especially useful in patients with unawareness UI. High‐quality data to guide the choice of treatment strategies in this population are lacking. Current evidence suggests that antimuscarinics, especially oxybutynin, can be associated with cognitive worsening, due to the blockade of M1 receptors. Thus, the use of antimuscarinics that do not easily cross the blood–brain barrier or are more M2/M3 selective should be considered. No data are available for beta‐3 agonists so far.ConclusionDifferent types of dementia cause different LUTS at varying time points during the disease process and need singular therapeutic approaches. Treatment of LUTS should be tailored to individual patient needs and disease status, considering factors like mobility, cognitive function, and general medical condition. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:245–252, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.