bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morbidity and mortality of monotremes admitted to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary, Australia, 2000–2014
Authors: Scheelings TF 
Published: March 2016

ObjectiveThe medical records of individual monotremes admitted to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre from 2000 to 2014 were reviewed to determine the causes of morbidity and mortality.ResultsDuring this period, a total of 38 platypus (Ornithorhyncus anatanus) and 273 short‐beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) were examined. Trauma was the most significant reason for monotreme admissions, accounting for 73.7% of platypus cases and 90.1% of short‐beaked echidna cases. Within the category of trauma, entanglement (28.6%) and unknown trauma (28.6%) were most significant for platypus, while impact with motor vehicle (73.2%) and domestic dog attack (14.2%) were the most significant subcategories for short‐beaked echidnas.ConclusionIndirect anthropogenic factors are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality of monotremes in Victoria, Australia.
Ecophysiology of cognition: How do environmentally induced changes in physiology affect cognitive performance?
Authors: Maille Audrey , Schradin Carsten 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTCognitive performance is based on brain functions, which have energetic demands and are modulated by physiological parameters such as metabolic hormones. As both environmental demands and environmental energy availability change seasonally, we propose that cognitive performance in free‐living animals might also change seasonally due to phenotypic plasticity. This is part of an emerging research field, the ‘ecophysiology of cognition’: environmentally induced changes in physiological traits, such as blood glucose and hormone levels, are predicted to influence cognitive performance in free‐living animals. Energy availability for the brain might change, and as such cognition, with changing energetic demands (e.g. reproduction) and changes of energy availability in the environment (e.g. winter, drought). Individuals spending more energy than they can currently obtain from their environment (allostatic overload type I) are expected to trade off energy investment between cognition and other life‐sustaining processes or even reproduction. Environmental changes reducing energy availability might thus impair cognition. However, selection pressures such as predation risk, mate choice or social demands may act on the trade‐off between energy saving and cognition. We assume that different environmental conditions can lead to three different trade‐off outcomes: cognitive impairment, resilience or enhancement. Currently we cannot understand these trade‐offs, because we lack information about changes in cognitive performance due to seasonal changes in energy availability and both the resulting changes in homeostasis (for example, blood glucose levels) and the associated changes in the mechanisms of allostasis (for example, hormone levels). Additionally, so far we know little about the fitness consequences of individual variation in cognitive performance. General cognitive abilities, such as attention and associative learning, might be more important in determining fitness than complex and specialized cognitive abilities, and easier to use for comparative study in a large number of species. We propose to study seasonal changes in cognitive performance depending on energy availability in populations facing different predation risks, and the resulting fitness consequences.
High‐resolution spatial modelling of greenhouse gas emissions from land‐use change to energy crops in the United Kingdom
Authors: Richards Mark , Pogson Mark , Dondini Marta , Jones Edward O. , Hastings Astley , Henner Dagmar N. , Tallis Matthew J. , Casella Eric , Matthews Robert W. , Henshall Paul A. , Milner Suzanne , Taylor Gail , McNamara Niall P. , Smith Jo U. , Smith Pete 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe implemented a spatial application of a previously evaluated model of soilGHGemissions,ECOSSE, in the United Kingdom to examine the impacts to 2050 of land‐use transitions from existing land use, rotational cropland, permanent grassland or woodland, to six bioenergy crops; three ‘first‐generation’ energy crops: oilseed rape, wheat and sugar beet, and three ‘second‐generation’ energy crops:Miscanthus, short rotation coppice willow (SRC) and short rotation forestry poplar (SRF). Conversion of rotational crops toMiscanthus,SRCandSRFand conversion of permanent grass toSRFshow beneficial changes in soilGHGbalance over a significant area. Conversion of permanent grass toMiscanthus, permanent grass toSRFand forest toSRFshows detrimental changes in soilGHGbalance over a significant area. Conversion of permanent grass to wheat, oilseed rape, sugar beet andSRCand all conversions from forest show large detrimental changes in soilGHGbalance over most of the United Kingdom, largely due to moving from uncultivated soil to regular cultivation. Differences in netGHGemissions between climate scenarios to 2050 were not significant. Overall,SRFoffers the greatest beneficial impact on soilGHGbalance. These results provide one criterion for selection of bioenergy crops and do not considerGHGemission increases/decreases resulting from displaced food production, bio‐physical factors (e.g. the energy density of the crop) and socio‐economic factors (e.g. expenditure on harvesting equipment). Given that the soilGHGbalance is dominated by change in soil organic carbon (SOC) with the difference amongMiscanthus,SRCandSRFlargely determined by yield, a target for management of perennial energy crops is to achieve the best possible yield using the most appropriate energy crop and cultivar for the local situation.
A qualitative investigation into patients' perspectives on edentulousness
Authors: Meaney Sarah , Connell Brian O' , Elfadil Sittana , Allen Finbarr 
Published: March 2016

ObjectivesThis study explored the experiences of edentulous patients for their perceptions of tooth loss and patient attitudes to treatment options for rehabilitation of the edentate state.MethodsPurposive sampling was used to recruit edentate patients with varying denture‐wearing experience from two dental hospitals in the Republic of Ireland. Sixteen edentate patients, aged 59 to 83 years, of whom 12 were women and four men were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed, and thematic analysis was undertaken.ResultsFindings from this study reflect previous studies, whereby some patients indicated dissatisfaction with the functionality of their dentures. The majority of participants had no regret regarding the loss of their teeth, and despite dissatisfaction with dentures, they would not consider other forms of treatment. Finance was not considered an issue in determining whether to seek out treatment by these participants. These participants expressed a reluctance to get new dentures in case they were more problematic.ConclusionThis study illustrates that some elder edentate patients were dissatisfied with the functionality of their dentures and raised concerns that about the quality of dentures which may be provided to them by dentists. These participants identified clinical dental technicians as a preferred point of contact for their care. Consideration should be given to new oral healthcare delivery models which are accessible and acceptable to future elders.
What is a Caucasian ‘fine’ hair? Comparing instrumental measurements, self‐perceptions and assessments from hair experts
Authors: Bouabbache S. , Galliano A. , Littaye P. , Leportier M. , Pouradier F. , Gillot E. , Panhard S. , Loussouarn G. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the various factors contributing to what Caucasian women describe as ‘fine hair'.MethodsThree complementary approaches were used, namely self‐evaluation by the volunteer, assessment by a sensorial expert and instrumental measurements, in order to determine some of the possible parameters taken into account by Caucasian women when they describe the notion of fine hair. One hundred fifty one women of Caucasian origin participated in the study. They varied in age, and varied in that some considered themselves as having fine hair, and others not. The instrumental measurements carried out included hair diameter measurements, hair density measurements, hair breakage force, hair flexibility and scalp sebum levels.ResultsFrom six parameters defined initially, four parameters were found to be in common with the three approaches: hair abundance (density), hair thickness, hair resistance and the volume of the hair on the head. The commonly used term ‘body’ was only common to self and expert evaluation, whereas the influence of curliness was only common to expert evaluation and instrumental measurements.ConclusionsThis study has shown close agreement between sensorial and instrumental findings, and also illustrates how the women participating can subtly and adequately describe their own hair. It is important to note that the words ‘fine hair’ describes a lot more than just physically thin hair fibres. Ageing is an additional factor that clearly impacts certain parameters associated with ‘fine hair’ among the volunteers.
A mild hand cleanser, alkyl ether sulphate supplemented with alkyl ether carboxylic acid and alkyl glucoside, improves eczema on the hand and prevents the growth of Staphylococcus aureus on the skin surface
Authors: Fukui S. , Morikawa T. , Hirahara M. , Terada Y. , Shimizu M. , Takeuchi K. , Takagi Y. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectiveWashing the hands using cleansers with antiseptic materials is the most popular method for hand hygiene and helps maintain health by preventing food poisoning and bacterial infections. However, repeated hand washing tends to induce eczema of the hand, such as dryness, cracking and erythema. Moreover, eczema on the hand leads to increased levels in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) on the skin surface in contrast to expectations. Thus, mild hand cleansers which induce less eczema even with repeated washings are desired. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of a hand cleanser formulated with alkyl ether sulphate (AES), alkyl ether carboxylic acid (AEC) and alkyl glucoside (AG) that contains isopropyl methylphenol (IPMP) on skin symptoms and S. aureus levels.MethodsEczema of the hand and the presence of S. aureus on the skin surface were analysed prior to and following 4 weeks of usage of the hand cleanser. A soap‐based hand cleanser with IPMP was used as a reference cleanser. Eczema and cutaneous conditions were evaluated by visual grading, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum moisture‐retention ability (MRA) and skin surface pH.ResultsThe repeated use of the soap‐based hand cleanser significantly worsened the hand dryness, scaling and cracks on the tips of the fingers and significantly increased the TEWL and decreased the MRA. In contrast, usage of the test cleanser only induced a significant increase in skin dryness but did not induce skin scaling or cracking and did not increase TEWL or decrease the MRA. Corresponding to these changes in skin symptoms, the presence of S. aureus increased the following use of the reference cleanser but not the test cleanser. There was no significant difference in skin surface pH between the two cleansers. Moreover, the increase in S. aureus was significantly correlated to the worsening of skin dryness and scaling.ConclusionThese results suggest that not only antimicrobial activity but also the mildness, which minimizes cutaneous effects, are important for hand cleansers to prevent the growth of S. aureus. The cleanser formulated with AES, AEC and AG containing IPMP is mild and is effective to promote hand hygiene.
Renal cell carcinoma in end‐stage renal disease: Multi‐institutional comparative analysis of survival
Authors: Song Cheryn , Hong Sung Hoo , Chung Jin Soo , Byun Seok Soo , Kwak Cheol , Jeong Chang Wook , Seo Seong Il , Jeon Hwang Gyun , Seo Ill Young 
Published: March 2016

ObjectivesTo describe the clinical features of renal cell carcinoma arising in end‐stage renal disease and to compare survival outcomes after definitive treatment with non‐end‐stage renal disease renal cell carcinoma.MethodsData of 181 consecutive patients with end‐stage renal disease renal cell carcinoma who had received surgical treatment between 1995 and 2011 at seven institutions were reviewed. Data of 362 non‐end‐stage renal disease renal cell carcinoma patients matched for clinicopathological parameters who received surgery at Asan Medical Center during the same study period were also reviewed. The two study groups were compared with respect to recurrence‐free, cancer‐specific, and overall survival by Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards method. Mean follow up was 40 ± 34.2 months after surgery.ResultsMedian tumor size was 2.5 cm (interquartile range 1.5–4.5), and pathological tumor stage was T1 in 78%, T2 in 7.1% and T3 and higher in 14.9%. Tumor histological type was clear cell in 63%, papillary in 17%, chromophobe in 5%, clear cell papillary in 2.8% and acquired cystic disease‐related in 6.1%. Compared with the controls, the stage‐specific 5‐year recurrence‐free survival was similar (87.6 vs 88.5%), but cancer‐specific and overall survival was significantly lower. On multivariate analysis, end‐stage renal disease renal cell carcinoma was not a predictor for recurrence‐free survival, but a significant predictor for cancer‐specific (hazard ratio 4.07, 95% confidence interval 2.08–7.94) and overall survival (hazard ratio 3.13, 95% confidence interval 1.66–5.96).ConclusionsEnd‐stage renal disease renal cell carcinoma seems to have comparable stage‐specific recurrence‐free, but poorer cancer‐specific and overall survival compared with non‐end‐stage renal disease renal cell carcinoma. As patients with end‐stage renal disease are a high‐risk population for renal cell carcinoma, routine radiographic screening to improve survival outcomes should be further investigated.
Differential effects of adipose tissue stromal cells on the apoptosis, growth and invasion of bladder urothelial carcinoma between the superficial and invasive types
Authors: Kawasaki‐Nanri Maki , Aoki Shigehisa , Uchihashi Kazuyoshi , Yamamoto Mihoko , Udo Kazuma , Nishijima‐Matsunobu Aki , Kakihara Nahoko , Noguchi Mitsuru , Uozumi Jiro , Toda Shuji 
Published: March 2016

ObjectivesTo clarify the interaction between adipose tissue stromal cells and bladder cancer cells.MethodsSuperficial (RT4) and invasive (EJ) urothelial carcinoma cells were cultured on adipose tissue stromal cell‐embedded or non‐embedded collagen gel. Cells were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, western blot and real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.ResultsAdipose tissue stromal cells inhibited growth of RT4, while they promoted the apoptosis. In contrast, adipose tissue stromal cells promoted growth of EJ, but they did not affect the apoptosis. Adipose tissue stromal cells slightly promoted expression of mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascade in RT4 and EJ. Adipose tissue stromal cells promoted display of the molecular‐targeted agent human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 in only RT4. In turn, RT4 and EJ enhanced α‐smooth muscle actin (myofibroblast marker) and S‐100 protein (adipocyte marker) expression of adipose tissue stromal cells, respectively.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that: (i) adipose tissue stromal cells might suppress the progression of superficial‐type cancer, whereas they might promote that of invasive type; (ii) adipose tissue stromal cell‐activated mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway might play differential roles in both types of bladder cancer; (iii) human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 could represent a critical therapeutic agent for the superficial type under adipose tissue stromal cells–cancer interaction; and (iv) superficial bladder cancer might promote myofibroblast differentiation of adipose tissue stromal cells as a cancer‐associate phenotype, whereas invasive bladder cancer might promote their adipocyte differentiation.
Socratic Questioning in Alien Landscapes?
Authors: Cooper Rachel 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis commentary considers the role of Socratic questioning in Alien Landscapes? I discuss the three roles that Glover sees Socratic questioning playing in psychiatry: 1. Questioning to clarify problems, 2. Questioning to treat symptoms, 3. Questioning to reconstruct lives. Although I am broadly sympathetic to the idea that philosophical conversations can help us conceptualise, and deal with, mental distress, I raise two concerns. First, is there any way of providing courses of transformative Socratic questioning cheaply (e.g. through manualisation)? Second, how close is the connection between helping individuals to develop systems of belief and value that fit epistemic norms and helping them to live flourishing lives?
Potentially functional polymorphisms in the LIN28B gene contribute to neuroblastoma susceptibility in Chinese children
Authors: He Jing , Yang Tianyou , Zhang Ruizhong , Zhu Jinhong , Wang Fenghua , Zou Yan , Xia Huimin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractNeuroblastoma is the most commonly diagnosed solid tumour outside the central nervous system in children. However, genetic factors underlying neuroblastoma remain largely unclear. Previous genome‐wide association study indicated that lin‐28 homolog B (LIN28B) might play an important role in the development of neuroblastoma and also contributed to its poor overall survival. With the purpose to evaluate the association between LIN28B gene polymorphisms and neuroblastoma susceptibility in Southern Chinese population, we conducted this study with 256 neuroblastoma cases and 531 cancer‐free controls. Four potentially functional polymorphisms (rs221634 A>T, rs221635 T>C, rs314276 C>A and rs9404590 T>G) were genotyped using Taqman method. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the associations between the selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and neuroblastoma susceptibility. We also performed genotype‐phenotype association analysis to explore the effects of the selected SNPs on LIN28B gene transcripts. Our results indicated that the rs221634 TT genotype was associated with an increased neuroblastoma risk (TT versus AA/AT: adjusted OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.04–2.17). The association was more pronounced in males, patients with tumour of mediastinum origin, as well as patients in early clinical stages. Moreover, overall analysis and stratified analysis also showed an increased risk of neuroblastoma for carrier of the 2–4 risk genotypes. In summary, these results indicated that the LIN28B rs221634 A>T polymorphism was associated with an increased neuroblastoma risk in Southern Chinese children. These findings need further validation in large studies with different ethnicities involved.
The response regulator Npun_F1278 is essential for scytonemin biosynthesis in the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133
Authors: Naurin Sejuti , Bennett Janine , Videau Patrick , Philmus Benjamin , Soule Tanya 
Published: March 2016

Following exposure to long‐wavelength ultraviolet radiation (UVA), some cyanobacteria produce the indole‐alkaloid sunscreen scytonemin. The genomic region associated with scytonemin biosynthesis in the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme includes 18 cotranscribed genes. A two‐component regulatory system (Npun_F1277/Npun_F1278) directly upstream from the biosynthetic genes was identified through comparative genomics and is likely involved in scytonemin regulation. In this study, the response regulator (RR), Npun_F1278, was evaluated for its ability to regulate scytonemin biosynthesis using a mutant strain of N. punctiforme deficient in this gene, hereafter strain Δ1278. Following UVA radiation, the typical stimulus to initiate scytonemin biosynthesis, Δ1278 was incapable of producing scytonemin. A phenotypic characterization of Δ1278 suggests that aside from the ability to produce scytonemin, the deletion of the Npun_F1278 gene does not affect the cellular morphology, cellular differentiation capability, or lipid‐soluble pigment complement of Δ1278 compared to the wildtype. The mutant, however, had a slower specific growth rate under white light and produced ~2.5‐fold more phycocyanin per cell under UVA than the wildtype. Since Δ1278 does not produce scytonemin, this study demonstrates that the RR gene, Npun_F1278, is essential for scytonemin biosynthesis in N. punctiforme. While most of the evaluated effects of this gene appear to be specific for scytonemin, this regulator may also influence the overall health of the cell and phycobiliprotein synthesis, directly or indirectly. This is the first study to identify a regulatory gene involved in the biosynthesis of the sunscreen scytonemin and posits a link between cell growth, pigment synthesis, and sunscreen production.
“Long, boring, and tedious”: youths' experiences with complex, religious texts
Authors: Rackley Eric D. , Kwok Michelle 
Published: March 2016

AbstractGrowing out of the renewed attention to text complexity in the United States and the large population of youth who are deeply committed to reading scripture, this study explores 16 Latter‐day Saint and Methodist youths' experiences with complex, religious texts. The study took place in the Midwestern United States. Data consisted of an academic year of participant observations and 59 extensive, semi‐structured interviews conducted over 2 years. Constant comparative analysis revealed two primary areas of struggle that participants had with the Book of Mormon and the Bible: scriptural language and contradictions with and within scripture. Struggles with the antiquated language of scripture included having difficulty with its diction, syntax and literacy devices. Struggles with text contradictions included the intratextual inconsistencies and youths' personal conflicts with what they believed scripture said. Similarities and differences were manifest across the two congregations within the aforementioned areas. This study raises important questions about the use of complex texts for instructional purposes, motivating youth to engage with complex texts, and the development of new lines of literacy research focused on religious texts and youths' experiences with these texts.
Differentially expressed genes associated with adaptation to different thermal environments in three sympatric Cuban Anolis lizards
Authors: Akashi Hiroshi D. , Cádiz Díaz Antonio , Shigenobu Shuji , Makino Takashi , Kawata Masakado 
Published: March 2016

AbstractHow animals achieve evolutionary adaptation to different thermal environments is an important issue for evolutionary biology as well as for biodiversity conservation in the context of recent global warming. In Cuba, three sympatric species of Anolis lizards (Anolis allogus, A. homolechis and A. sagrei) inhabit different thermal microhabitats, thereby providing an excellent opportunity to examine how they have adapted to different environmental temperatures. Here, we performed RNA‐seq on the brain, liver and skin tissues from these three species to analyse their transcriptional responses at two different temperatures. In total, we identified 400, 816 and 781 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two temperatures in A. allogus, A. homolechis and A. sagrei, respectively. Only 62 of these DEGs were shared across the three species, indicating that global transcriptional responses have diverged among these species. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that large numbers of ribosomal protein genes were DEGs in the warm‐adapted A. homolechis, suggesting that the upregulation of protein synthesis is an important physiological mechanism in the adaptation of this species to hotter environments. GO analysis also showed that GO terms associated with circadian regulation were enriched in all three species. A gene associated with circadian regulation, Nr1d1, was detected as a DEG with opposite expression patterns between the cool‐adapted A. allogus and the hot‐adapted A. sagrei. Because the environmental temperature fluctuates more widely in open habitats than in forests throughout the day, the circadian thermoregulation could also be important for adaptation to distinct thermal habitats.