bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High‐resolution manometry in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis under topical steroid therapy—a prospective observational study (HIMEOS‐study)
Authors: Nennstiel S. , Bajbouj M. , Becker V. , Slotta‐Huspenina J. , Wagenpfeil S. , Schmid R. M. , Schlag C. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundIn eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), dysphagia, which might reflect esophageal dysmotility, is the most common symptom. High‐resolution manometry (HRM) has become widely accepted for evaluating esophageal motility disorders, but to date has been sparsely examined in EoE patients, particularly under therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluateHRMin symptomatic EoE‐patients under topical steroid treatment.MethodsIn this prospective observational study, symptomatic EoE patients receivedHRM‐examinations before and after 8 weeks of topical steroid treatment with budesonide. AllHRM‐abnormalities were assessed and interpreted according to the Chicago classification. The primary endpoint was the influence of topical steroid treatment on the intrabolus pressure (IBP). Clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings and histological esophageal eosinophilic load were also reported.Key ResultsTwenty symptomatic EoE patients were included. Overall success of budesonide therapy was 85% regarding complete histologic remission and 80% regarding complete clinical remission. High‐resolution manometry showed abnormal esophageal motility in 35% of patients at baseline, which was resolved after therapy in 86% of these patients. Most frequentHRM‐findings were early pan‐esophageal pressurizations and weak persitalsis. There was no significant reduction of theIBPunder therapy (before: 12.5 ± 4.9 mmHg, after: 10.9 ± 2.9 mmHg;p= 0.119).Conclusions & InferencesAlthough dysphagia is the leading symptom of EoE,HRMis able to identify esophageal motility disorders in only some EoE patients. Observed motility disorders resolve after successful treatment in almost all of these patients. Intrabolus pressure does not seem an optimal parameter for the monitoring of successful treatment response in EoE patients.
Abscisic acid regulates root growth under osmotic stress conditions via an interacting hormonal network with cytokinin, ethylene and auxin
Authors: Rowe James H. , Topping Jennifer F. , Liu Junli , Lindsey Keith 
Published: February 2016

Summary

Understanding the mechanisms regulating root development under drought conditions is an important question for plant biology and world agriculture.

We examine the effect of osmotic stress on abscisic acid (ABA), cytokinin and ethylene responses and how they mediate auxin transport, distribution and root growth through effects on PIN proteins. We integrate experimental data to construct hormonal crosstalk networks to formulate a systems view of root growth regulation by multiple hormones.

Experimental analysis shows: that ABA‐dependent and ABA‐independent stress responses increase under osmotic stress, but cytokinin responses are only slightly reduced; inhibition of root growth under osmotic stress does not require ethylene signalling, but auxin can rescue root growth and meristem size; osmotic stress modulates auxin transporter levels and localization, reducing root auxin concentrations; PIN1 levels are reduced under stress in an ABA‐dependent manner, overriding ethylene effects; and the interplay among ABA, ethylene, cytokinin and auxin is tissue‐specific, as evidenced by differential responses of PIN1 and PIN2 to osmotic stress.

Combining experimental analysis with network construction reveals that ABA regulates root growth under osmotic stress conditions via an interacting hormonal network with cytokinin, ethylene and auxin.
Mitochondrial gamma carbonic anhydrases are required for complex I assembly and plant reproductive development
Authors: Fromm Steffanie , Braun Hans‐Peter , Peterhansel Christoph 
Published: February 2016

Summary

Complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC) in plants contains an extra domain that is made up from proteins homologous to prokaryotic gamma‐carbonic anhydrases (γCA). This domain has been suggested to participate in complex I assembly or to support transport of mitochondrial CO2 to the chloroplast.

Here, we generated mutants lacking CA1 and CA2 – two out of three CA proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana. Double mutants were characterized at the developmental and physiological levels. Furthermore, the composition and activity of the mETC were determined, and mutated CA versions were used for complementation assays.

Embryo development of double mutants was strongly delayed and seed development stopped before maturation. Mutant plants could only be rescued on sucrose media, showed severe stress symptoms and never produced viable seeds. By contrast, callus cultures were only slightly affected in growth. Complex I was undetectable in the double mutants, but complex II and complex IV were upregulated concomitant with increased oxygen consumption in mitochondrial respiration. Ectopic expression of inactive CA variants was sufficient to complement the mutant phenotype.

Data indicate that CA proteins are structurally required for complex I assembly and that reproductive development is dependent on the presence of complex I.
Bark thickness across the angiosperms: more than just fire
Authors: Rosell Julieta A. 
Published: February 2016

Summary

Global variation in total bark thickness (TBT) is traditionally attributed to fire. However, bark is multifunctional, as reflected by its inner living and outer dead regions, meaning that, in addition to fire protection, other factors probably contribute to TBT variation.

To address how fire, climate, and plant size contribute to variation in TBT, inner bark thickness (IBT) and outer bark thickness (OBT), I sampled 640 species spanning all major angiosperm clades and 18 sites with contrasting precipitation, temperature, and fire regime.

Stem size was by far the main driver of variation in thickness, with environment being less important. IBT was closely correlated with stem diameter, probably for metabolic reasons, and, controlling for size, was thicker in drier and hotter environments, even fire‐free ones, probably reflecting its water and photosynthate storage role. OBT was less closely correlated with size, and was thicker in drier, seasonal sites experiencing frequent fires. IBT and OBT covaried loosely and both contributed to overall TBT variation. Thickness variation was higher within than across sites and was evolutionarily labile.

Given high within‐site diversity and the multiple selective factors acting on TBT, continued study of the different drivers of variation in bark thickness is crucial to understand bark ecology.
Symptoms suggestive of cow's milk allergy in infancy and pediatric inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Virta Lauri J. , Kautiainen Hannu , Kolho Kaija‐Leena 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundRisk factors of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) are incompletely understood. Recently, we reported that among patients with PIBD, a previous diagnosis of cow's milk allergy (CMA) and asthma occurred more frequently than among age‐ and sex‐matched peers. We tested at a national level the hypothesis that CMA is associated with the risk of contracting PIBD.MethodsA nationwide birth cohort (n = 225,041), including all Finnish children born between 1999 and 2002, was followed up until July 1, 2014. We identified all children with a diagnosis of CMA, asthma, and PIBD from a national register; the data were based on certificates, including diagnostic criteria. The 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the incidence rates per 100,000 person‐years were calculated assuming a Poisson distribution.ResultsWe identified 7,910 infants with CMA yielding a cumulative incidence of 3.5% by 2 years of age. The cumulative incidence of PIBD was 0.14% (n = 316) and that of asthma 6.6% (14,807). Children with CMA were more likely to develop PIBD than non‐CMA children, incidence ratio 2.6 (95% CI 1.7–3.8). Children with a diagnosis of CMA contracted PIBD at a younger age than the respective non‐CMA group (9 vs. 11 years, p < 0.05). The risk was more evident for ulcerative colitis than for Crohn's disease. The association between CMA and asthma was stronger than that between CMA and PIBD.ConclusionsCMA in infancy is associated with subsequent development of asthma and PIBD. This suggests that in a subgroup of patients, CMA may share underlying background with PIBD, warranting thorough follow‐up.
Cesarean section delivery and development of food allergy and atopic dermatitis in early childhood
Authors: Papathoma Evangelia , Triga Maria , Fouzas Sotirios , Dimitriou Gabriel 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundDelivery by Cesarean section (CS) may predispose to allergic disorders, presumably due to alterations in the establishment of normal gut microbiota in early infancy. In this study, we sought to investigate the association betweenCSand physician‐diagnosed food allergy and atopic dermatitis during the first 3 years of life, using data from a homogeneous, population‐based, birth cohort.MethodsA total of 459 children born and cared for in the same tertiary maternity unit were examined at birth and followed up at 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months of age. Participants with symptoms suggestive of food allergy or atopic dermatitis were evaluated by a pediatric allergy specialist to confirm the diagnosis based on well‐defined criteria.ResultsThe rate ofCSwas 50.8% (n = 233). Food allergy was diagnosed in 24 participants (5.2%) while atopic dermatitis was diagnosed in 62 children (13.5%). Cesarean section (OR3.15; 95%CI1.14–8.70), atopic dermatitis of the child (OR3.01; 95%CI1.18–7.80), parental atopy (OR4.33; 95%CI1.73–12.1), and gestational age (OR1.57; 95%CI1.07–2.37) were significant and independent predictors of food allergy. Children with at least one allergic parent delivered byCShad higher probability of developing food allergy compared with vaginally delivered children of non‐allergic parents (OR10.0; 95%CI3.06–32.7). Conversely, the effect ofCSon atopic dermatitis was not significant (OR1.35; 95%CI0.74–2.47).ConclusionsDelivery byCSpredisposes to the development of food allergy but not atopic dermatitis in early childhood. Cesarean section delivery seems to upregulate the immune response to food allergens, especially in children with allergic predisposition.
Understanding without Justification or Belief
Authors: Dellsén Finnur 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn recent years there has been a resurgence of interest among epistemologists in the nature of understanding, with some authors arguing that understanding should replace knowledge as the primary focus of epistemology. But what is understanding? According to what is often calledthe standard view, understanding is a species of knowledge. Although this view has recently been challenged in various ways, even the critics of the standard view have assumed that understanding requires justification and belief. I argue that it requires neither. If sound, these arguments have important upshots not only for the nature of understanding, but also for its distinctive epistemic value and its role in contemporary epistemology.
Salvation and Religious Diversity: Christian Perspectives
Authors: Vainio Olli‐Pekka 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis article examines how Christian soteriology has responded to religious diversity. Classical versions of Christianity typically insist on conscious and explicit faith as a necessary requirement for salvation. However, from the beginning, this demand has been mitigated, and different arguments have been provided to ensure the possibility of salvation of those who are outside the church proper. In the first centuries of Christianity, the focus was on those who had been born before the Christian era or were otherwise unable to participate in Christian fellowship. More recently, the discussion has centred on the spiritual and epistemic integrity of different religions.
Classification of Non-Parametric Regression Functions in Longitudinal Data Models
Authors: Vogt Michael , Linton Oliver 
Published: February 2016

Summary
We investigate a longitudinal data model with non-parametric regression functions that may vary across the observed individuals. In a variety of applications, it is natural to impose a group structure on the regression curves. Specifically, we may suppose that the observed individuals can be grouped into a number of classes whose members all share the same regression function. We develop a statistical procedure to estimate the unknown group structure from the data. Moreover, we derive the asymptotic properties of the procedure and investigate its finite sample performance by means of a simulation study and a real data example.
Detection of Change in the Spatiotemporal Mean Function
Authors: Gromenko Oleksandr , Kokoszka Piotr , Reimherr Matthew 
Published: February 2016

Summary
The paper develops inferential methodology for detecting a change in the annual pattern of an environmental variable measured at fixed locations in a spatial region. Using a framework built on functional data analysis, we model observations as a collection of function-valued time sequences available at many sites. Each sequence is modelled as an annual mean function, which may change, plus a sequence of error functions, which are spatially correlated. The tests statistics extend the cumulative sum paradigm to this more complex setting. Their asymptotic distributions are not parameter free because of the spatial dependence but can be effectively approximated by Monte Carlo simulations. The new methodology is applied to precipitation data. Its finite sample performance is assessed by a simulation study.
Modelling Across Extremal Dependence Classes
Authors: Wadsworth J. L. , Tawn J. A. , Davison A. C. , Elton D. M. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryDifferent dependence scenarios can arise in multivariate extremes, entailing careful selection of an appropriate class of models. In bivariate extremes, the variables are either asymptotically dependent or are asymptotically independent. Most available statistical models suit one or other of these cases, but not both, resulting in a stage in the inference that is unaccounted for but can substantially impact subsequent extrapolation. Existing modelling solutions to this problem are either applicable only on subdomains or appeal to multiple limit theories. We introduce a unified representation for bivariate extremes that encompasses a wide variety of dependence scenarios and applies when at least one variable is large. Our representation motivates a parametric model that encompasses both dependence classes. We implement a simple version of this model and show that it performs well in a range of settings.
Submarine landslides caused by seamounts entering accretionary wedge systems
Authors: Ruh Jonas B. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSeamounts entering active subduction zone trenches initially collide with the frontal sedimentary accretionary wedges resulting in severe deformation of the overriding plate. A typical feature of this deformation is the occurrence of submarine landslides due to gravitational instabilities. Such landslides have been reported from the Middle America and Hikurangi trenches and potentially generate tsunami waves. Yet, the dynamics of accretionary wedges during seamount indentation, and landsliding as a mechanical response in particular, have not been investigated qualitatively. Here, I use 3D high‐resolution numerical experiments to model the collision of conical and flat‐topped seamounts into accreting sedimentary sequences. Results show that the topographical evolution of an accretionary wedge mainly depends on the volume of the entering seamount and not on its height. Submarine landslides occur only if seamounts are not completely buried by the sedimentary sequence, and the volume of the avalanche is roughly correlated with the seamount volume overtopping the incoming sediments.
Predonation finger lancet punctures: a potential risk factor for interdonor pathogen transmission in the blood donor clinic
Authors: Greinacher A. , Lubenow N. 
Published: February 2016

Background and ObjectivesPoint‐of‐care testing using capillary blood from a finger prick is widely used for predonation haemoglobin testing of blood donors. It is common practice to cover the finger prick with a cotton swab and to instruct the donor to press for few minutes. The finger prick can cause blood contamination of surfaces in contact with the lanced finger, especially door handles, risking infectious disease transmission, particularly if another person touching the contaminated door handle also has a punctured fingertip.Materials and MethodsFirst, we investigated contamination by blood (benzidine assay) of the door handles of our blood donor clinic, taking 175 samples 3 h after opening of the donation centre (baseline). We then introduced band‐aids to cover the finger prick and started an information campaign using educational flyers to sensitize blood donors and staff to this problem (period‐1). Thereafter, the staff was instructed to use the non‐dominant hand for blood sampling and mandated to replace any discarded band‐aids immediately (period‐2).ResultsAt baseline, 82% of the nurse room door handles showed contamination with blood. This decreased somewhat (10–40%) after period‐1, but only after immediate mandatory band‐aid replacement on any donor finger without a band‐aid (period‐2), no further blood contaminations were detected.ConclusionBlood contamination of shared surfaces can occur after finger prick for capillary blood sampling. Application of a band‐aid and use of the non‐dominant hand for fingertip incision are easy to apply and effective in reducing this iatrogenic health hazard.
A Comparison of Pig Farmers' and Veterinarians' Perceptions and Intentions to Reduce Antimicrobial Usage in Six European Countries
Authors: Visschers V. H. M. , Backhans A. , Collineau L. , Loesken S. , Nielsen E. O. , Postma M. , Belloc C. , Dewulf J. , Emanuelson U. , grosse Beilage E. , Siegrist M. , Sjölund M. , Stärk K. D. C. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryAntimicrobial (AM) resistance is an increasing problem in human and veterinary medicine. To manage this problem, the usage of AM should be reduced in pig farming, as well as in other areas. It is important to investigate the factors that influence both pig farmers' and veterinarians' intentions to reduce AM usage, which is a prerequisite for developing intervention measures. We conducted a mail survey among pig farmers (N = 1,294) and an online survey among veterinarians (N = 334) in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. The farmers' survey assessed the perceived risks and benefits of and need for AM usage; the intention to reduce AM usage; farmers' efficacy (i.e. perception of their ability to reduce AM usage); support from their veterinarian; and the future reduction potential of AM usage. Additionally, self‐reported reduction behaviours, the perceived farmers' barriers to reduce AM usage and relationships with farmers were assessed in the veterinarians' survey. The results showed that farmers and veterinarians had similar perceptions of the risks and benefits of AM usage. Veterinarians appeared to be more optimistic than pig farmers about reducing AM usage in pig farming. Farmers believed that their efficacy over AM reduction was relatively high. Farmers' intention to reduce AM usage and veterinarians' self‐reported reduction behaviours were mainly associated with factors concerning the feasibility of reducing AM usage. To promote prudent AM usage, pig farmers should learn and experience how to reduce usage by applying alternative measures, whereas veterinarians should strengthen their advisory role and competencies to support and educate farmers.
Reassessment of the evolutionary relationships within the dog‐faced bats, genus Cynomops (Chiroptera: Molossidae)
Authors: Moras Ligiane M. , Tavares Valéria da C. , Pepato Almir R. , Santos Fabrício R. , Gregorin Renato 
Published: February 2016

The low representativeness of the dog‐faced bats (genus Cynomops Thomas, ) in collections has constrained the study of the diversity and the evolutionary relationships within this genus. Taxonomic revisions of some taxa, in particular the large‐sized Cynomops abrasus (Temminck, ), are crucial for understanding the phylogeny of Cynomops. A total of four subspecies of C. abrasus have been described to date, all widespread in South America: C. a. mastivus (Thomas, ), C. a. brachymeles (Peters, 1865), C. a. cerastes (Thomas, ) and C. a. abrasus (Temminck, ). Here, we evaluated the phylogenetic relationships within Cynomops, and the status of the four C. abrasus subspecies using complete sequences of two mitochondrial genes (Cyt b and COI) and 39 morphological characters. Maximum‐parsimony, maximum‐likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions recovered a novel hypothesis for Cynomops, supported the recognition of C. a. mastivus as a distinct species, separated from C. abrasus, and two hypotheses of lineages previously unrecognized for Cynomops. The use of mitochondrial genes combined with morphological characters revealed again to be a powerful tool to recover the phylogenetic relationships within Cynomops and demonstrated that the genus is more diverse than previously thought.
MAPPING ONE WORLD: RELIGION AND SCIENCE FROM AN EAST ASIAN PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Jaeshik Shin 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis article aims to delineate a model of religion‐science relationship from an East Asian perspective. The East Asian way of thinking is depicted as nondualistic, relational, and inclusive. From this point of view, most current Western discourses on the religion‐science relationship, including the interconnected models of Pannenberg and Haught, are hierarchical, intellectually centered, and have dualistic tendencies. Taking religion and science as mapping activities, “a multi‐map model” presents nonhierarchical, historical, social, multidimensional, communal, and intimate dimensions of the religion‐science relationship.
KAGAWA'S COSMIC PURPOSE AND MODERNIZATION IN JAPAN
Authors: Hisakazu Inagaki 
Published: February 2016

AbstractKagawa Tyohiko (1888–1960), who was a well known Christian leader and social reformer, is re‐evaluated from the perspective of a public philosophy, and as an example of the possibilities for collaboration and conflict between science and the religious humanities in East Asia. His last book, Cosmic Purpose, which appears to be a kind of natural theology, is analyzed from the perspective of the hidden topic of human evil. By considering Kagawa's deep religious sensibility and conscience, the book can be interpreted to reflect on the wrong directionality selected by modern Japan's leaders that resulted in the tragic war.