bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and functional significance of STEAP4-splice variant in CD14+ monocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Ebe H , Matsumoto I , Kawaguchi H , Kurata I , Tanaka Y , Inoue A , Kondo Y , Tsuboi H , Sumida T 
Published: October 2017

Summary
Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-α-induced adipose-related protein (TIARP) is a negative regulator of inflammation in arthritis model mice. In humans, six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 4 (STEAP4) (human counterpart of TIARP) is also expressed in CD14+ monocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recently, highly levels of exon 3-spliced variant STEAP4 (v-STEAP4) expression have been observed in porcine lung. The aim of this study is to elucidate the expression and functional role of v-STEAP4, comparing it with that of STEAP4, in the pathogenesis of arthritis. We identified v-STEAP4 in CD14+ cells. The expression of STEAP4 and v-STEAP4 was higher in patients with RA than in healthy participants. We also found that STEAP4 and v-STEAP4 were correlated positively with C-reactive protein and that their expression was decreased after treatment with an interleukin (IL)-6 antagonist in patients with RA. To investigate further the role of STEAP4 and v-STEAP4, we produced STEAP4 and v-STEAP4 over-expressing human monocytic cell lines (THP-1) for functional analysis. In the v-STEAP4 over-expressing cells, the production of IL-6 was suppressed significantly, but TNF-α was increased significantly through lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Immunoblot analysis revealed that phosphorylated (p-)nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was increased after LPS stimulation and degradation of nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor alpha (IκBα) was sustained, whereas p-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3) was decreased with v-STEAP4. We identified specific up-regulation of v-STEAP4 in RA monocytes. V-STEAP4 might play a crucial role in the production of TNF-α and IL-6 through NF-κB and STAT-3 pathways, resulting in the generation of RA.
Tumour lateralization in Cushing's disease by inferior petrosal sinus sampling with desmopressin
Authors: Feng Ming , Liu Ziyuan , Liu Xiaohai , Zhang Xiaobo , Bao Xinjie , Yao Yong , Deng Kan , Xing Bing , Lian Wei , Zhu Huijuan , Lu Lin , Wang Renzhi 
Published: October 2017

SummaryBackgroundBilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) with corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) is currently the gold standard in the diagnosis of Cushing's disease (CD) and has also been used in tumour lateralization. Our objective was to determine the diagnostic value and lateralization accuracy of IPSS with desmopressin.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 91 patients with Cushing's syndrome who had either negative findings on pituitary dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or nonsuppressed high‐dose dexamethasone suppression tests (HDDST). Thin‐slice thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) and octreotide receptor imaging of whole body were also negative to rule out ectopic adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) syndrome. All patients went through IPSS with desmopressin. Afterwards, transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, light microscope pathology and immunohistological staining for ACTH were performed in all patients.ResultsDiagnosis of CD. Among the 91 patients included, 90 were confirmed with CD, of whom 89 had positive IPSS findings, therefore the sensitivity was 98.9%. The one patient who was negative for CD also had negative IPSS findings, therefore the specificity was 100%. Tumour lateralization. Among the 51 patients who were ultimately diagnosed with CD and whose lateralization by IPSS and surgery was either left or right, 37 had IPSS lateralization in concordance with surgery, therefore the concordance rate was 72.5%. Patients in the concordant group had a higher frequency of right lateralization by surgery.ConclusionsIPSS with desmopressin is a sensitive approach in the diagnosis of CD and has moderate accuracy in tumour lateralization, making it an alternative choice to IPSS with CRH.
Histomorphometric analyses of area fraction of different ratios of Bio‐Oss® and bone prior to grafting procedures – An in vitro study to demonstrate a baseline
Authors: Aludden Hanna , Dahlin Anna , Starch‐Jensen Thomas , Dahlin Christer , Mordenfeld Arne 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to estimate the area fraction of different ratios of Bio‐Oss® and bone, prior to grafting in an in vitro model to demonstrate a histomorphometric baseline.MethodsBio‐Oss® particles were mixed with autogenous bone from pig jaw in three different ratios (50:50, 80:20 and 100:0) and packed in rice paper in a standardized procedure. Histomorphometric analyses were performed in 25 specimens and 74 regions of interest. The area percentage of Bio‐Oss®, bone, and non‐mineralized tissue (NMT) were calculated. Results were reported as mean values and 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe mean area fraction of Bio‐Oss® was 20.6% (CI: 18.2–23) in the 50:50 mixture, 33.6% (CI: 29.7–37.6) in the 80:20 mixture, and 43.4% (CI: 40.5–46.3) in the 100:0 mixture. The mean area fraction of NMT was 60.5% (CI: 57.9–63.1) in the 50:50 mixture, 59.6% (CI: 56.4–62.7) in the 80:20 mixture, and 56.6% (CI: 53.7–59.5) in the 100:0 mixture. The mean area fraction of bone was 18.9% (CI: 16.9–20.9) in the 50:50 mixture and 6.8% (CI: 5–8.6) in the 80:20 mixture.ConclusionThere is a great difference in the clinically estimated percentage and the histomorphometrically evaluated percentage of Bio‐Oss® at baseline, prior to grafting. The area fraction of different tissues presented in this study may be beneficial as guidance for histomorphometrical baseline calculations when different mixtures of Bio‐Oss® and autogenous bone are used as grafting materials.
A role for selective contraception of individuals in conservation
Authors: Cope Holly R. , Hogg Carolyn J. , White Peter J. , Herbert Catherine A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractContraception has an established role in managing overabundant populations and preventing undesirable breeding in zoos. We propose that it can also be used strategically and selectively in conservation to increase the genetic and behavioral quality of the animals. In captive breeding programs, it is becoming increasingly important to maximize the retention of genetic diversity by managing the reproductive contribution of each individual and preventing genetically suboptimal breeding through the use of selective contraception. Reproductive suppression of selected individuals in conservation programs has further benefits of allowing animals to be housed as a group in extensive enclosures without interfering with breeding recommendations, which reduces adaptation to captivity and facilitates the expression of wild behaviors and social structures. Before selective contraception can be incorporated into a breeding program, the most suitable method of fertility control must be selected, and this can be influenced by factors such as species life history, age, ease of treatment, potential for reversibility, and desired management outcome for the individual or population. Contraception should then be implemented in the population following a step‐by‐step process. In this way, it can provide crucial, flexible control over breeding to promote the physical and genetic health and sustainability of a conservation dependent species held in captivity. For Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii), black‐flanked rock wallabies (Petrogale lateralis), and burrowing bettongs (Bettongia lesueur), contraception can benefit their conservation by maximizing genetic diversity and behavioral integrity in the captive breeding program, or, in the case of the wallabies and bettongs, by reducing populations to a sustainable size when they become locally overabundant. In these examples, contraceptive duration relative to reproductive life, reversibility, and predictability of the contraceptive agent being used are important to ensure the potential for individuals to reproduce following cessation of contraception, as exemplified by the wallabies when their population crashed and needed females to resume breeding.
Social equity and urban nature conservation
Authors: Montambault Jensen Reitz , Dormer Myriam , Campbell Jacob , Rana Naureen , Gottlieb Sara , Legge John , Davis Deron , Chakaki Mohamad 
Published: October 2017

AbstractNature conservation and social equity issues have been approached in a myriad of ways by conservation, humanitarian, and development practitioners. The rapid and shifting urbanization of the globe makes the interaction of these issues paramount and it is imperative to articulate pathways to harmonizing these relationships readily followed by conservation practitioners. We describe the processes and compare the resulting social equity and conservation objectives of two initiatives purposefully integrating these approaches. A private nonprofit seeking to develop an urban conservation program in the Atlanta metropolitan area purposefully engaged residents from surrounding communities and self‐identified local and sector leaders to identify communities where social equity and conservation objectives could be created together. A public agency, built on a century‐long history of environmental stewardship for migratory birds and pollinators, integrated 20 years of participatory action research to engage the surrounding communities using methods suggested and developed by the communities themselves. In both cases, community‐based research approaches have helped establish cocreated objectives and flexible monitoring and evaluation baselines. Both initiatives found a need to appropriately resource and train staff to remain open to learning and evolving new objectives as additional perspectives emerge and the impact on conservation and equity objectives is assessed.
Serum heparanase levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Ozkok Abdullah , Ozkok Sercin , Takır Mumtaz , Yakar Halil İbrahim , Kanbay Asiye 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackground and aimObstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is well‐known to be associated with high risk for cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Heparanase has been recently shown to be related to increased inflammation and vulnerability of the atherosclerotic plaques. Herein we aimed to investigate the relationships between OSAS, heparanase and endothelial dysfunction.Materials and methodsA total of 120 patients with varying severity of OSAS and 31 controls without OSAS were enrolled. Flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) was measured as an indicator of endothelial dysfunction. Serum heparanase levels were measured with ELISA.ResultsSerum heparanase levels increased in a stepwise fashion from controls to patients with more severe OSAS. When FMD was compared with controls and various degrees of severity of OSAS, a stepwise decrease in FMD was observed. Serum heparanase levels were found to be significantly associated with apnea hypopnea index (AHI) (r = .57, P < .001) and FMD (r= –.37, P < .001) in patients with OSAS. Serum heparanase levels were significantly associated with hemoglobin‐A1c and body mass index in patients with OSAS. Serum heparanase and uric acid levels were independent predictors of FMD in linear regression analysis (R2 = .506, P < .001; P < .001 and P = .001 respectively).ConclusionsSerum heparanase levels were significantly increased in patients with OSAS and associated with the severity of OSAS (AHI) and endothelial dysfunction (FMD). Increased heparanase activity in OSAS may be related to increased cardiovascular risk in patients with OSAS.
Fire effects and ecological recovery pathways of tropical montane cloud forests along a time chronosequence
Authors: Oliveras Imma , Román‐Cuesta Rosa M. , Urquiaga‐Flores Erickson , Quintano Loayza Jose A. , Kala Jose , Huamán Vicky , Lizárraga Nohemi , Sans Guissela , Quispe Katia , Lopez Efrain , Lopez David , Cuba Torres Israel , Enquist Brian J. , Malhi Yadvinder 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs) harbour high levels of biodiversity and large carbon stocks. Their location at high elevations make them especially sensitive to climate change, because a warming climate is enhancing upslope species migration, but human disturbance (especially fire) may in many cases be pushing the treeline downslope. TMCFs are increasingly being affected by fire, and the long‐term effects of fire are still unknown. Here, we present a 28‐year chronosequence to assess the effects of fire and recovery pathways of burned TMCFs, with a detailed analysis of carbon stocks, forest structure and diversity. We assessed rates of change of carbon (C) stock pools, forest structure and tree‐size distribution pathways and tested several hypotheses regarding metabolic scaling theory (MST), C recovery and biodiversity. We found four different C stock recovery pathways depending on the selected C pool and time since last fire, with a recovery of total C stocks but not of aboveground C stocks. In terms of forest structure, there was an increase in the number of small stems in the burned forests up to 5–9 years after fire because of regeneration patterns, but no differences on larger trees between burned and unburned plots in the long term. In support of MST, after fire, forest structure appears to approximate steady‐state size distribution in less than 30 years. However, our results also provide new evidence that the species recovery of TMCF after fire is idiosyncratic and follows multiple pathways. While fire increased species richness, it also enhanced species dissimilarity with geographical distance. This is the first study to report a long‐term chronosequence of recovery pathways to fire suggesting faster recovery rates than previously reported, but at the expense of biodiversity and aboveground C stocks.
Warming‐induced upward migration of the alpine treeline in the Changbai Mountains, northeast China
Authors: Du Haibo , Liu Jie , Li Mai‐He , Büntgen Ulf , Yang Yue , Wang Lei , Wu Zhengfang , He Hong S. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTreeline responses to environmental changes describe an important phenomenon in global change research. Often conflicting results and generally too short observations are, however, still challenging our understanding of climate‐induced treeline dynamics. Here, we use a state‐of‐the‐art dendroecological approach to reconstruct long‐term changes in the position of the alpine treeline in relation to air temperature at two sides in the Changbai Mountains in northeast China. Over the past 160 years, the treeline increased by around 80 m, a process that can be divided into three phases of different rates and drives. The first phase was mainly influenced by vegetation recovery after an eruption of the Tianchi volcano in 1702. The slowly upward shift in the second phase was consistent with the slowly increasing temperature. The last phase coincided with rapid warming since 1985, and shows with 33 m per 1°C, the most intense upward shift. The spatial distribution and age structure of trees beyond the current treeline confirm the latest, warming‐induced upward shift. Our results suggest that the alpine treeline will continue to rise, and that the alpine tundra may disappear if temperatures will increase further. This study not only enhances mechanistic understanding of long‐term treeline dynamics, but also highlights the effects of rising temperatures on high‐elevation vegetation dynamics.
Non‐linearities in bird responses across urbanization gradients: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Batáry Péter , Kurucz Kornélia , Suarez‐Rubio Marcela , Chamberlain Dan E. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractUrbanization is one of the most extreme forms of environmental alteration, posing a major threat to biodiversity. We studied the effects of urbanization on avian communities via a systematic review using hierarchical and categorical meta‐analyses. Altogether, we found 42 observations from 37 case studies for species richness and 23 observations from 20 case studies for abundance. Urbanization had an overall strong negative effect on bird species richness, whereas abundance increased marginally with urbanization. There was no evidence that city size played a role in influencing the relationship between urbanization and either species richness or abundance. Studies that examined long gradients (i.e. from urban to rural) were more likely to detect negative urbanization effects on species richness than studies that considered short gradients (i.e. urban vs. suburban or urban vs. rural areas). In contrast, we found little evidence that the effect of urbanization on abundance was influenced by gradient length. Effects of urbanization on species richness were more negative for studies including public green spaces (parks and other amenity areas) in the sampled landscapes. In contrast, studies performed solely in the urban matrix (i.e. no green spaces) revealed a strong positive effect on bird abundance. When performing subset analyses on urban–suburban, suburban–rural and suburban–natural comparisons, species richness decreased from natural to urban areas, but with a stronger decrease at the urban–suburban interface, whereas bird abundance showed a clear intermediate peak along the urban–rural gradient although abundance in natural areas was comparable to that in suburban areas. This suggests that species loss happens especially at the urban–suburban interface, and that the highest abundances occur in suburban areas compared to urban or rural areas. Thus, our study shows the importance of suburban areas, where the majority of birds occur with fairly high species richness.
Assessing uncertainties in crop and pasture ensemble model simulations of productivity and N2O emissions
Authors: Ehrhardt Fiona , Soussana Jean‐François , Bellocchi Gianni , Grace Peter , McAuliffe Russel , Recous Sylvie , Sándor Renáta , Smith Pete , Snow Val , de Antoni Migliorati Massimiliano , Basso Bruno , Bhatia Arti , Brilli Lorenzo , Doltra Jordi , Dorich Christopher D. , Doro Luca , Fitton Nuala , Giacomini Sandro J. , Grant Brian , Harrison Matthew T. , Jones Stephanie K. , Kirschbaum Miko U. F. , Klumpp Katja , Laville Patricia , Léonard Joël , Liebig Mark , Lieffering Mark , Martin Raphaël , Massad Raia S. , Meier Elizabeth , Merbold Lutz , Moore Andrew D. , Myrgiotis Vasileios , Newton Paul , Pattey Elizabeth , Rolinski Susanne , Sharp Joanna , Smith Ward N. , Wu Lianhai , Zhang Qing 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSimulation models are extensively used to predict agricultural productivity and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the uncertainties of (reduced) model ensemble simulations have not been assessed systematically for variables affecting food security and climate change mitigation, within multi‐species agricultural contexts. We report an international model comparison and benchmarking exercise, showing the potential of multi‐model ensembles to predict productivity and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions for wheat, maize, rice and temperate grasslands. Using a multi‐stage modelling protocol, from blind simulations (stage 1) to partial (stages 2–4) and full calibration (stage 5), 24 process‐based biogeochemical models were assessed individually or as an ensemble against long‐term experimental data from four temperate grassland and five arable crop rotation sites spanning four continents. Comparisons were performed by reference to the experimental uncertainties of observed yields and N2O emissions. Results showed that across sites and crop/grassland types, 23%–40% of the uncalibrated individual models were within two standard deviations (SD) of observed yields, while 42 (rice) to 96% (grasslands) of the models were within 1 SD of observed N2O emissions. At stage 1, ensembles formed by the three lowest prediction model errors predicted both yields and N2O emissions within experimental uncertainties for 44% and 33% of the crop and grassland growth cycles, respectively. Partial model calibration (stages 2–4) markedly reduced prediction errors of the full model ensemble E‐median for crop grain yields (from 36% at stage 1 down to 4% on average) and grassland productivity (from 44% to 27%) and to a lesser and more variable extent for N2O emissions. Yield‐scaled N2O emissions (N2O emissions divided by crop yields) were ranked accurately by three‐model ensembles across crop species and field sites. The potential of using process‐based model ensembles to predict jointly productivity and N2O emissions at field scale is discussed.
VEGF/BMP‐2 loaded three‐dimensional model for enhanced angiogenic and odontogenic potential of dental pulp stem cells
Authors: Aksel H. , Öztürk Ş. , Serper A. , Ulubayram K. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAimTo investigate the proliferation and differentiation potential of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in a three‐dimensional culture model (TDM) by incorporation of VEGF and BMP‐2.MethodologyTDM was established using fibrin gel (fg) as a soft tissue matrix and demineralized dentine disc (dd) as a hard tissue matrix. DPSCs and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were encapsulated in fibrin gel (fg‐VEGF) and then inserted into bone morphogenetic protein (BMP‐2)‐coated demineralized dentine discs (dd‐BMP‐2). DPSCs were incubated for 28 days in various fg/dd combinations in the absence or presence of VEGF and BMP‐2. Proliferation and morphology of DPSCs in fibrin gel were analysed using MTT and Live&Dead assays. Release profiles of VEGF and BMP‐2 from fibrin gel and dentine discs were quantified using ELISA, and the expressions of angiogenic and odontogenic differentiation markers were determined with RT‐qPCR analysis. Data were analysed statistically using Wilcoxon signed rank tests, Kruskal–Wallis tests with Mann–Whitney U tests and Bonferroni adjustment. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.ResultsDPSCs were able to proliferate and showed interconnected cellular elongations in fibrin gel depending on fibrinogen concentration whilst monolayer control group showed typical fibroblast‐like cell morphology. Encapsulating of VEGF in fibrin gel and BMP‐2 in gelatin that was used to coat dentine discs allowed the controlled releases of growth factors, which induced angiogenic and odontogenic gene expressions by DPSCs. Higher expressions of PECAM as an angiogenic factor, and BSP, DMP‐1, OCN and CBFA as odontogenic factors, were observed in TDM as compared to the other fg/dd combinations and the monolayer control group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsTDM consisting of fibrin gel and dentine matrix allowed cell–cell interactions. TDM was highly effective in delivering both VEGF and BMP‐2 that enhanced the angiogenic and odontogenic potential of DPSCs.