bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Burning for enhanced non‐timber forest product yield may jeopardize the resource base through interactive effects
Authors: Darabant András , Dorji  , Staudhammer Christina L. , Rai Prem B. , Gratzer Georg 
Published: July 2016

Summary

Non‐timber forest product (NTFP) harvest is frequently accompanied by resource management practices that interact with the harvesting itself, other disturbances and abiotic conditions. These interactions, in turn, lead to diverse environmental effects. Few studies focus on these practices in the context of harvesting NTFPs, product properties and environmental impacts, including biological invasions.

In Pine woodlands in Eastern Bhutan, Cymbopogon flexuosus East Indian Lemon Grass is harvested and distilled to obtain essential oil, an economically important NTFP. Prescribed fires are applied in late winter (before annual harvest in summer) to induce regeneration of new tillers with increased essential oil content. This practice is based on local ecological knowledge and renders the utilization of C. flexuosus economically viable. On two sites with contrasting stand structure, we evaluated the effects of different prescribed burning regimes (no burning vs. burning with two levels of frequency and intensity) on the sustainability of annually harvested C. flexuosus, regarding cover, biomass yield, essential oil yield and quality. At the same time, we evaluated the effects of prescribed burning on the spread of the invasive shrub Chromolaena odorata.

Cymbopogon flexuosus biomass declined over time, likely as a result of harvesting. In more closed stands, it was moreover marginally negatively influenced by fire. We confirmed local ecological knowledge regarding significantly higher essential oil yield on burned plots, without differences between fire regimes.

In open stands, fire led to rapid expansion of C. odorata, specifically with frequently applied, higher intensity fires. Additionally, the spread of C. odorata showed adverse effects on C. flexuosus cover.

Synthesis and applications. Our results highlight the importance of studying the wider impacts of non‐timber forest product (NTFP) harvest. We confirmed local ecological knowledge that fire increases lemon grass essential oil yield, making prescribed burning an attractive land management tool for farmers. Nevertheless, the practice of annual harvesting may lead to resource decline that may be exacerbated by fire in closed stands. Caution needs to be practiced on open sites where invasive C. odorata may spread rapidly after fires. Management needs to focus on preventing concentration of annual harvesting and associated prescribed burning in the same areas. Amending national forestry rules to legalize fire as a land management tool can support local economies and potentially prevent wildfires that regularly devastate human infrastructure across eastern Bhutan.
Effector profiles distinguish formae speciales of Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: van Dam Peter , Fokkens Like , Schmidt Sarah M. , Linmans Jasper H.J. , Kistler H. Corby , Ma Li‐Jun , Rep Martijn 
Published: July 2016

SummaryFormae speciales (ff.spp.) of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum are often polyphyletic within the species complex, making it impossible to identify them on the basis of conserved genes. However, sequences that determine host‐specific pathogenicity may be expected to be similar between strains within the same forma specialis. Whole genome sequencing was performed on strains from five different ff.spp. (cucumerinum, niveum, melonis, radicis‐cucumerinum and lycopersici). In each genome, genes for putative effectors were identified based on small size, secretion signal, and vicinity to a “miniature impala” transposable element. The candidate effector genes of all genomes were collected and the presence/absence patterns in each individual genome were clustered. Members of the same forma specialis turned out to group together, with cucurbit‐infecting strains forming a supercluster separate from other ff.spp. Moreover, strains from different clonal lineages within the same forma specialis harbour identical effector gene sequences, supporting horizontal transfer of genetic material. These data offer new insight into the genetic basis of host specificity in the F. oxysporum species complex and show that (putative) effectors can be used to predict host specificity in F. oxysporum.
Riboflavin Phototransformation on the Changes of Antioxidant Capacities in Phenolic Compounds
Authors: Song Juhee , Seol Nam Gyu , Kim Mi‐Ja , Lee JaeHwan 
Published: July 2016

AbstractEight phenolic compounds including: p‐coumaric acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, trolox, quercetin, curcumin, and resveratrol were treated with riboflavin (RF) photosensitization and in vitro antioxidant capacities of the mixtures were determined by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’ azino bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Mixtures containing p‐coumaric acid and vanillic acid under RF photosensitization showed increases in ferric ion reducing ability and radical scavenging activity of DPPH, whereas mixtures of other compounds had decreases in both radical scavenging ability and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Hydroxycoumaric acid and conjugated hydroxycoumaric and coumaric acids were tentatively identified from RF photosensitized p‐coumaric acid, whereas dimmers of vanillic acid were tentatively identified from RF photosensitized vanillic acid. RF photosensitization may be a useful method to enhance antioxidant properties like ferric ion reducing abilities of some selected phenolic compounds.
Monogenic diabetes: Implementation of translational genomic research towards precision medicine
Authors: Vaxillaire Martine , Froguel Philippe 
Published: July 2016

AbstractVarious forms of early onset non‐autoimmune diabetes are recognized as monogenic diseases, each subtype being caused by a single highly penetrant gene defect at the individual level. Monogenic diabetes (MD) is clinically and genetically heterogeneous, including maturity onset diabetes of the young and infancy‐onset and neonatal diabetes mellitus, which are characterized by functional defects of insulin‐producing pancreatic β‐cells and hyperglycemia early in life. Depending on the genetic cause, MD differs in the age at diabetes onset, the severity of hyperglycemia, long‐term diabetic complications, and extrapancreatic manifestations. In this review we discuss the many challenges of molecular genetic diagnosis of MD in the face of a substantial genetic heterogeneity, as well as the clinical benefit and cost‐effectiveness of an early genetic diagnosis, as demonstrated by simulation models based on lifetime complications and treatment costs. We also discuss striking examples of proof‐of‐concept of genomic medicine, which have enabled marked improvement in patient care and long‐term clinical management. Recent advances in genome editing and pluripotent stem cell reprogramming technologies provide new opportunities for in vitro diabetes modeling and the discovery of novel drug targets and cell‐based diabetes therapies. A review of these future directions makes the case for exciting translational research to further our understanding of the pathophysiology of early onset diabetes.
Mycorrhizal associations and soil properties of native Allanblackia stuhlmannii stands in the Eastern Usambara Mountains, Tanzania
Authors: Fransson P. , Kupiakova K. , Ström H. , Dahlin A. S. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAllanblackia stuhlmannii is a tree species currently under domestication. Potential mycorrhizal relationships of A. stuhlmannii and soil properties of native stands were investigated to determine the soil–environmental requirements of the species. Roots and soil samples were collected from five sites with A. stuhlmannii stands along an altitudinal transect in Amani Nature Reserve, Tanzania. Mycorrhizal status was investigated by combining microscopy with molecular analysis of the fungal communities. Soil adjacent to the A. stuhlmannii seedlings was analysed for physical and chemical properties and the sites were characterised. We showed that A. stuhlmannii form symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and that there was a diverse microbiome associated with the roots. The soils, classified as Ferralsol and Acrisol, were very well drained, had a pHCaCl2 generally at or below 4, high exchangeable acidity and content of sesquioxides and low effective cation exchange capacity and concentrations of most nutrients. We conclude that A. stuhlmannii is tolerant to high Al availability and possesses mechanisms for acquisition of P and other macronutrients at low soil availability, possibly through mycorrhizal symbiosis. However, being adapted to low‐pH soils, it may be less efficient in acquiring Fe, Mn and/or Zn at higher soil pH. Thus, it may be most suited to introduction on farms situated on acid soils.
Epigenetic regulation in gallbladder cancer: Promoter methylation profiling as emergent novel biomarkers
Authors: Tekcham Dinesh Singh , Tiwari Pramod Kumar 
Published: July 2016

AbstractDNA methylation, once considered to rule the sex determination in Mary Lyon's hypothesis, has now reached the epicenter of human diseases, from monogenic (e.g. Prader Willi syndrome, Angelman syndromes and Beckwith‐Wiedemann syndrome) to polygenic diseases, like cancer. Technological developments from gold standard to high throughput technologies have made tremendous advancement to define the epigenetic mechanism of cancer. Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a fatal health issue affecting mostly the middle‐aged women, whose survival rate is very low due to late symptomatic diagnosis. DNA methylation has become one of the key molecular mechanisms in the tumorigenesis of gallbladder. Various molecules have been reported to be epigenetically altered in GBC. In this review, we have discussed the classes of epigenetics, an overview of DNA methylation, technological approaches for its study, profile of methylated genes, their likely roles in GBC, future prospects of biomarker development and other discovery approaches, including therapeutics.
Factors affecting rural volunteering in palliative care – an integrated review
Authors: Whittall Dawn , Lee Susan , O'Connor Margaret 
Published: July 2016

AbstractTo review factors shaping volunteering in palliative care in Australian rural communities using Australian and International literature. Identify gaps in the palliative care literature and make recommendations for future research. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Proquest, Scopus, Sage Premier, Wiley online, Ovid, Cochran, Google Scholar, CINAHL and Informit Health Collection. The literature was synthesised and presented in an integrated thematic narrative. Australian Rural communities. While Australia, Canada, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) are leaders in palliative care volunteer research, limited research specifically focuses on volunteers in rural communities with the least occurring in Australia. Several interrelated factors influence rural palliative care provision, in particular an increasingly ageing population which includes an ageing volunteer and health professional workforce. Also current and models of palliative care practice fail to recognise the innumerable variables between and within rural communities such as distance, isolation, lack of privacy, limited health care services and infrastructure, and workforce shortages. These issues impact palliative care provision and are significant for health professionals, volunteers, patients and caregivers. The three key themes of this integrated review include: (i) Geography, ageing rural populations in palliative care practice, (ii) Psychosocial impact of end‐end‐of life care in rural communities and (iii) Palliative care models of practice and volunteering in rural communities. The invisibility of volunteers in rural palliative care research is a concern in understanding the issues affecting the sustainability of quality palliative care provision in rural communities. Recommendations for future Australian research includes examination of the suitability of current models of palliative care practice in addressing the needs of rural communities; the recruitment, training, ongoing education and support of volunteers in rural palliative care provision to ensure equitable care for all communities in Australia regardless of location.
The safety of autologous and metabolically fit bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in medically refractory Crohn's disease – a phase 1 trial with three doses
Authors: Dhere T. , Copland I. , Garcia M. , Chiang K. Y. , Chinnadurai R. , Prasad M. , Galipeau J. , Kugathasan S. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundMesenchymal stromal cells ability to reset immune functionalities may be useful in Crohn's disease.AimTo perform a first‐in‐human phase 1 safety clinical trial of metabolically fit autologous bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells in 12 subjects with Crohn's disease utilising three doses.MethodsAutologous mesenchymal stromal cells were derived from marrow aspirate and propagated for 2–3 weeks with fibrinogen depleted human platelet lysate and subsequently administered to subjects without interval cryobanking. Twelve subjects received a single mesenchymal stromal cell intravenous infusion of 2, 5 or 10 million cells/kg BW(n = 4/group). Infused mesenchymal stromal cells were analysed for cell surface marker expression, IDO(indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase) upregulation by IFNγ stimulation, and inhibition of third party peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation in vitro. The primary end point measured was safety and tolerability; clinical response was assessed as a secondary endpoint.ResultsAll patients tolerated the mesenchymal stromal cell infusion well and no dose limiting toxicity was seen. Seven patients had serious adverse events of which five were hospitalisations for Crohn's disease flare. Two of these serious adverse events were possibly related to the mesenchymal stromal cells infusion. Five subjects showed clinical response 2 weeks after the infusion. Mesenchymal stromal cell phenotype, cytokine responsiveness, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation blockade were not different among the patients.ConclusionSingle infusion of fresh autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells propagated ex vivo using human platelet lysate‐supplemented media was safe and feasible at intravenous doses of up to 10 million cells/kg BW in patients with Crohn's disease.
Stepwise diagnosis in covert hepatic encephalopathy: critical flicker frequency and MELD‐score as a first‐step approach
Authors: Greinert R. , Ripoll C. , Hollenbach M. , Zipprich A. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundThe diagnosis of covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) by means of portosystemic encephalopathy syndrome (PSE) test is costly and therefore infrequently performed.AimTo determine the ability of critical flicker frequency (CFF) alone or in combination with laboratory findings, as an initial test to pre‐select which patients should undergo further testing for the diagnosis of covert hepatic encephalopathy.MethodsThis single‐centre study included all patients with cirrhosis who underwent PSE and CFF in 2011. CHE was defined by abnormal PSE test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of CHE. ROC curves were used to identify cut‐offs of these independent predictors.ResultsOne hundred and seventeen patients were included. Seventy (60%) had CHE with a higher MELD [16 (IQR 13–21); P = 0.001] and lower CFF [38 Hz (IQR 36–41) P = 0.0011]. On multivariate analyses, CFF [OR 0.83 (95% CI 0.74–0.94)] and MELD [OR 1.13 (95% CI 1.04–1.22)] were identified as independent predictors of CHE. Sensitivity and specificity of a CFF cut‐off of 43 Hz was 93.5% and 42.9%, and for a MELD cut‐off of 24, it was 97.5% and 32.8% respectively. Most patients with a MELD‐Score <24 and a CFF >43 Hz did not have CHE (78%) and with a MELD‐Score >24 and CFF <43 Hz most patients had CHE (85%). Therefore, 27% of patients could avoid further testing with a diagnostic accuracy of 81%.ConclusionThe combination of MELD‐score and critical flicker frequency may be used as a first diagnostic step to filter patients, in whom further covert hepatic encephalopathy testing could be avoided.
Relationship between tissue tension and thermal diffusion to peripheral tissue using an energy device
Authors: Kondo Akihiro , Nishizawa Yuji , Ito Masaaki , Saito Norio , Fujii Satoshi , Akamoto Shintaro , Fujiwara Masao , Okano Keiichi , Suzuki Yasuyuki 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe aim of the study was to assess the relationship between tissue tension and thermal diffusion to peripheral tissues using an electric scalpel, ultrasonically activated device, or a bipolar sealing system. The mesentery of pigs was excised with each energy device (ED) at three tissue tensions (0, 300, 600 g). The excision time and thermal diffusion area were monitored with thermography, measured for each ED, and then histologically examined. Correlations between tissue tension and thermal diffusion area were examined. The excision time was inversely correlated with tissue tension for all ED (electric scalpel, r = 0.718; ultrasonically activated device, r = 0.949; bipolar sealing system, r = 0.843), and tissue tension was inversely correlated with the thermal diffusion area with the electric scalpel (r = 0.718) and bipolar sealing system (r = 0.869). Histopathologically, limited deep thermal denaturation occurred at a tension of 600 g with all ED. We conclude that thermal damage can be avoided with adequate tissue tension when any ED is used.
Expressions of isopeptide bonds and corneodesmosin in middle ear cholesteatoma
Authors: Koizumi H. , Kawaguchi R. , Ohkubo J.‐I. , Ikezaki S. , Kitamura T. , Hohchi N. , Hashida K. , Suzuki H. 
Published: July 2016

ObjectiveIsopeptide bonds form cross‐links between constituent proteins in the horny layer of the epidermis. Corneodesmosin (CDSN) is a major component of corneodesmosomes, which bind corneocytes together. Both play important roles in maintaining epidermal barrier functions. In the present study, we investigated the expressions of isopeptide bonds, CDSN, and related enzymes in middle ear cholesteatoma in comparison with the skin.DesignProspective case series of patients with middle ear cholesteatoma.SettingTertiary medical institute.ParticipantsCholesteatoma and normal postauricular skin were collected from patients with acquired middle ear cholesteatoma during tympanomastoidectomy.Main outcome measuresExpression of e‐(g‐glutamyl)lysine isopeptide bonds was examined by immunohistochemistry; Expressions of transglutaminase (TGase)1, TGase2, TGase3, and TGase5 by immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT‐PCR (qRT‐PCR); expression of CDSN by immunohistochemistry, qRT‐PCR, and Western blot; and expressions of tissue kallikrein‐related peptidase (KLK)5, KLK7, KLK14, and serine peptidase inhibitor Kazal type 5 (SPINK5) by qRT‐PCR.ResultsTGase2 was higher (P=0.0046) and TGase5 was lower (P=0.0008) in cholesteatoma than in the postauricular skin. Immunoreactivity for isopeptide bonds was localized in the granular and horny layers, and was not different between the two tissues. Immunoreactivity for CDSN was localized in the granular layer, and was lower in cholesteatoma than in the skin (P=0.0090). Western blot and qRT‐PCR confirmed that the expression of CDSN was lower in cholesteatoma than in the skin. Expressions of KLK5, KLK7, KLK14, or SPINK5 were not different between the two tissues.ConclusionsThese results indicate that the production of CDSN is likely to be suppressed in cholesteatoma, which would account, at least in part, for the mechanical fragility and increased permeability of the cholesteatoma epithelium.
Individual wages and regional market potential
Authors: Cieślik Andrzej , Rokicki Bartłomiej 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIn this article, we study wage determinants in Poland by employing the augmented NEG wage equation that controls for individual worker characteristics. Our analysis is based on the Labor Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the Polish Central Statistical Office (CSO) for the period 1999–2009. Using annual data on about 10,000 Polish workers in 16 regions, we find that a significant fraction of inter‐individual wage differences can be explained by the geography of access to markets.
Oviposition site preference and developmental performance of a gall‐inducing leafhopper on galled and non‐galled host plants
Authors: Kumashiro Shun , Matsukura Keiichiro , Adachi Shuhei , Matsumura Masaya , Tokuda Makoto 
Published: July 2016

AbstractOviposition preferences of herbivorous insects affect offspring performance. Both positive and negative links between oviposition preference and offspring performance have been reported for many species. A gall‐inducing leafhopper, Cicadulina bipunctata Melichar (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), feeds on various Poaceae plants and induces galls of enhanced nutritional value for their offspring. Although gall induction by C. bipunctata improves nymphal performance, the oviposition preference of females between galled and non‐galled host plants is still unclear. In this paper, the nymphal performance and oviposition and feeding‐site preference of C. bipunctata were investigated using galled wheat, Triticum aestivum L., and non‐galled barley, Hordeum vulgare L., as host plants. The survival rate of C. bipunctata on wheat was significantly higher than on barley. In the choice test, significantly more eggs were laid into barley, whereas the number of eggs deposited on both hosts was not significantly different in the no‐choice test. The number of settling individuals per leaf area was not significantly different between wheat and barley, suggesting no clear preference for oviposition between these plants. Experience as a nymph with a growing host did not affect oviposition preference as adult female. The inconsistent correspondence between offspring performance and oviposition preference of C. bipunctata may reflect the high mobility of nymphs and/or differences in leaf area between host plants. The results indicate that the previous finding that oviposition preference and offspring performance are not always positively correlated in herbivorous insects is applicable to gall‐inducing insects.
DNA barcoding supports reclassification of JapaneseChironomusspecies (Diptera: Chironomidae)
Authors: Kondo Natsuko I. , Ueno Ryuhei , Ohbayashi Kako , Golygina Veronika V. , Takamura Kenzi 
Published: July 2016

AbstractNon‐biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) adapt to species‐specific environmental conditions and hence are promising bioindicators for aquatic and ecotoxicological monitoring. Although their utility for these purposes was historically limited by difficulties in their morphological identification, DNA barcoding offers a possible solution. Here, eight Japanese species of the genusChironomus, which is characterized by its worldwide distribution and abundance among Chironomidae, were subjected to DNA barcoding using cytochromecoxidase subunit I (COI). To examine whether this DNA barcode is a useful indicator for Japanese species ofChironomus, we calculated genetic distances within and between theCOIsequences ofChironomusspecies both from this study and worldwide and constructed phylogenetic trees. Based on 415 bpCOIsequences and the Kimura two‐parameter model, the average genetic distances within 37 species and between 72 species were 2.6% and 17.2%, respectively. Although the ranges of genetic distances within and between species overlapped from 0.8% to 17.3%, 99.7% of average genetic distances between species were >3.0%. Some of this overlap is attributable to distances within species that were “too large” as well as those between species that were “too small”. Of eight Japanese species examined, two showed genetic distances between species that were below a 3.0% threshold, and four had distances within species that were greater than 3.0%. These results suggest a possible reclassification of these species and the need for further sampling to unveil biogeographic variations among different countries and regions.