bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Progression of gray matter atrophy in seizure‐free patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Alvim Marina K. M. , Coan Ana C. , Campos Brunno M. , Yasuda Clarissa L. , Oliveira Mariana C. , Morita Marcia E. , Cendes Fernando 
Published: February 2016

SummaryObjectivesTo investigate the presence and progression of gray matter (GM) reduction in seizure‐free patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).MethodsWe enrolled 39 consecutive TLE patients, seizure‐free for at least 2 years—20 with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of hippocampal sclerosis (TLE‐HS), 19 with normal MRI (TLE‐NL), and 74 healthy controls. For longitudinal analysis, we included individuals who had a second MRI with minimum interval of 18 months: 21 patients (10 TLE‐HS, 11 TLE‐NL) and 11 controls. Three‐dimensional (3D) T1‐weighted images acquired in 3 Tesla MRI were analyzed with voxel‐based morphometry (VBM). The images of patients with right‐sided interictal epileptogenic zone (EZ) were right–left flipped, as well as a comparable proportion of controls. Cross‐sectional analysis: The patients' images from each group were compared to controls to investigate differences in GM volumes. Longitudinal analysis: The first and second images were compared in each group to look for decreased GM volume.ResultsCross‐sectional analysis: Patients with TLE‐HS had diffuse GM atrophy, including hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus, insula, frontal, and occipital lobes ipsilateral to EZ, bilateral thalamus and contralateral orbitofrontal gyrus, and caudate. In contrast, TLE‐NL group did not present significant differences compared to controls. Longitudinal analysis: TLE‐HS presented progressive GM reduction in ipsilateral insula and occipital lobe, contralateral motor area, and bilateral temporal and frontal lobes. TLE‐NL had GM progression in ipsilateral hypothalamus and parietal lobe, contralateral cerebellum, and bilateral temporal lobe. Controls did not show changes in GM volume between MRIs.SignificanceDiffuse extrahippocampal GM atrophy is present in seizure‐free patients with TLE‐HS. In addition, there is progressive GM atrophy in patients with and without HS. These results demonstrate that not only ongoing seizures are involved in the progression of GM atrophy. An underlying pathologic mechanism could be responsible for progressive brain volume loss in TLE patients even in seizure‐free periods.
Growth dynamics of a laminated microbial mat in response to variable irradiance in an Antarctic lake
Authors: Hawes Ian , Jungblut Anne D. , Obryk Maciej K. , Doran Peter T. 
Published: February 2016

Summary

Laminated microbial mats are important ecosystem components of perennially ice‐covered Antarctic dry valley lakes. In order to understand better their response to changing environment, we made observations and carried out a manipulation experiment to determine their response to variations in irradiance in Lake Hoare (77°38′ S, 162°53′ E).

Ice transparency was the most variable parameter that affected benthic light dose, both spatially and between years. Patterns of lamina accrual corresponded to irradiance history, with laminae that were initiated in high transmission years thicker than those from low transmission years.

A shading experiment confirmed that accrual of lamina thickness, calcite precipitation and ash‐free dry mass were determined by irradiance, but photosynthetic biomass and phototrophic species composition were less affected.

Buried laminae decomposed only slowly over time, with potentially viable phototrophs many laminae down into the microbial mat. Decay rate increased only slightly with shading.

We conclude that the microbial mats in Lake Hoare are characterised by remarkable stability, with slow accumulation rates and turnover of biomass over time. Photosynthetic biomass and species composition appeared to be stable across long time periods, with interannual variation in lamination pattern due to differential accumulation of extracellular polysaccharide and representing the visible expression of annual growth conditions.
Perspectives on heterococcolith geochemical proxies based on high‐resolution X‐ray fluorescence mapping
Authors: Suchéras‐Marx B. , Giraud F. , Simionovici A. , Daniel I. , Tucoulou R. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHeterococcoliths are micron‐scale calcite platelets produced by coccolithophores. They have been the most abundant and continuous fossil record over the last 215 million years (Myr), offering great potential for geochemical studies, although the heterococcolith fossil record remains underutilised in this domain. We have mapped heterococcoliths' composition using X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) with a 100‐nm resolution beam to decipher element distributions in heterococcoliths and to investigate the potential development of geochemical proxies for palaeoceanography. The study presents two Middle Jurassic Watznaueria britannica heterococcoliths from Cabo Mondego, Portugal. XRF analysis was performed with a 17 keV incident energy beam at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility ID22NI beamline to study elements from Sr down to S. Ca, Sr and Mn are distributed following the heterococcolith crystalline arrangement. Cl, Br and S display an homogeneous distribution, whereas K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Rb are concentrated at the edges and in the central area of the heterococcoliths. Distributions of K, Fe, Ti, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb and to a lesser extent V and Cr are highly influenced by clay contamination and peripheral diagenetic overgrowth. Mn is related to diagenetic Mn‐rich CaCO3 overgrowth on top of or between heterococcoliths shields. Cl and Br are likely to be present in heterococcoliths inside interstitial nano‐domains. We assume that the cytoplasm [Cl−] and [Br−] are mediated and constant during heterococcolithogenesis. Assuming a linear correlation between cytoplasm [Cl−] and sea water [Cl−], heterococcolith Cl may have potential as a salinity proxy. As S is incorporated into heterococcoliths by sulphated polysaccharides, our study suggests a role for such polysaccharides in heterococcolithogenesis for at least 170 Myr. The low Sr/Ca in the W. britannica specimens studied here may either highlight an unusual cellular physiology of Mesozoic coccolithophores or result from low growth rates in oligotrophic environments.
Confluent fibrosis and fibroblast foci in fibrotic non‐specific interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Churg Andrew , Bilawich AnaMaria 
Published: February 2016

AimsThe separation of fibrotic non‐specific interstitial pneumonia (FNSIP) and usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is important for patient treatment and prognosis, but is sometimes a difficult diagnostic problem. Most authors believe that fibroblast foci are rare in NSIP, and that the finding of multiple fibroblast foci suggests a diagnosis of UIP. Similarly, architectural distortion is viewed as favouring a diagnosis of UIP. This study aims to assess these criteria for their diagnostic utility.Methods and resultsWe report eight patients with a high‐resolution computed tomography diagnosis of FNSIP, and a picture of fibrotic NSIP on biopsy, but in whom, in all cases, fibrosis focally widened the walls to the point of confluence, producing architectural distortion in the form of variably sized, sometimes quite large, blocks of fibrosis, but not honeycombing. Fibroblast foci varied from four to nine per section, and point counting morphometry showed that the areas containing large blocks of confluent fibrosis were geographically strongly associated with fibroblast foci, whereas fibroblast foci were rare away from the confluent fibrosis. Follow‐up imaging studies (mean interval 19.5 months; range 2–42 months) in six patients revealed stable or improved disease in four and worsening disease in two. No case had or developed radiological honeycombing, and there were no other imaging findings to suggest a diagnosis of UIP.ConclusionsOtherwise typical FNSIP cases can show architectural distortion caused by confluence or marked expansion of fibrotic alveolar walls. These areas tend to be associated with fibroblast foci. These findings do not imply a poor prognosis, and should not be confused with UIP.
User perception on various designs of tongue scrapers: an observational survey
Authors: Beekmans DG , Slot DE , Van der Weijden GA 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to identify the participants' preference and perception of effectiveness with respect to nine commercially available tongue scrapers. As secondary aim, perception of discomfort and suspected sharpness were assessed. In addition, the first impression of the design of the various tongue scrapers was evaluated.Materials and methodsThis was an observational survey without blinding to the products. At first impression, participants were given nine tongue scrapers and were asked to immediately use all, and to point out which of the scrapers they preferred most. Subsequently, a 14‐day familiarization period followed. At the follow‐up appointment, all participants received a questionnaire which used a visual analogue scale (VAS) to evaluate their perception of the various scrapers used. Questions regarding the perceived efficacy, discomfort and pain were posed. Data were analysed statistically by anova. T‐tests were used for ‘post hoc’ analysis and Bonferroni corrections were used for multiple comparisons.ResultsIn total, 50 participants completed the assessment. The primary parameter ‘efficacy’ showed scores that ranged from 4.09 to 6.43 (P < 0.001) for the nine tongue scrapers. The secondary parameters ‘sharpness’ (range from 3.31 to 6.26) and ‘discomfort’ (range from 5.67 to 8.33) showed significant differences as well (P < 0.001). A significant negative correlation (R = −0.850; P = 0.004) between the perceived sharpness and discomfort was observed.ConclusionThe perception of effectiveness varied among the various tongue‐cleaning device designs. No single feature stood out as being specifically related to perception of effectiveness. Sharpness and comfort were negatively correlated. Comfort and effectiveness were positively correlated. The results from this study indicated that participants found TS6 and TS8 to be the most comfortable and the most effective. However, TS8 scored higher for inducing a higher gag reflex.
Nitric oxide‐induced autophagy and the activation of activated protein kinase pathway protect against apoptosis in human dental pulp cells
Authors: Park S. Y. , Park M. Y. , Park H. G. , Lee K. J. , Kook M. S. , Kim W. J. , Jung J. Y. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimTo investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO)‐induced autophagy in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) and the involvement of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway.MethodologyThe MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effect of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in HDPCs. Apoptosis was detected by means of the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL) assay, and apoptosis‐ or autophagy‐related signal molecules were observed by Western blot analysis. Acidic autophagolysosomal vacuoles were stained with acridine orange to detect autophagy in the presence of 3‐methyladenine (3MA) used to inhibit autophagy. To explore the mechanism underlying autophagy and its protective role against apoptosis, compound C, the chemical AMPK inhibitor, was used. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t‐test or analysis of variance (anova) followed by the Student–Newman–Keuls test (P < 0.05).ResultsSNP decreased viability of the HDPCs in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Exposing the HDPCs to SNP increased the levels of p62 and LC3‐II, the typical markers of autophagy, and increased the number of acidic autophagolysosomal vacuoles, indicating the appearance of autophagy as detected by acridine orange staining (P < 0.05). Pre‐treatment with 3MA decreased cell viability but increased cleaved poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) and caspase‐3, apoptosis indicators, in the SNP‐treated HDPCs (P < 0.05). SNP activated AMPK/ULK signalling, whilst the inhibition of AMPK by compound C enhanced apoptotic cell death induced by SNP in the HDPCs (P < 0.05).ConclusionNO induced autophagy with AMPK activation, which plays a role in the survival of HDPCs against NO‐induced apoptosis.
Regulation of germinal center B‐cell differentiation
Authors: Zhang Yang , Garcia‐Ibanez Laura , Toellner Kai‐Michael 
Published: February 2016

SummaryGerminal centers (GC) are the main sites where antigen‐activated B‐cell clones expand and undergo immunoglobulin gene hypermutation and selection. Iterations of this process will lead to affinity maturation, replicating Darwinian evolution on the cellular level. GC B‐cell selection can lead to four different outcomes: further expansion and evolution, apoptosis (non‐selection), or output from the GC with differentiation into memory B cells or plasma cells. T‐helper cells in GC have been shown to have a central role in regulating B‐cell selection by sensing the density of major histocompatibility complex (MHC):peptide antigen complexes. Antigen is provided on follicular dendritic cells in the form of immune complex. Antibody on these immune complexes regulates antigen accessibility by shielding antigen from B‐cell receptor access. Replacement of antibody on immune complexes by antibody generated from GC‐derived plasma cell output will gradually reduce the availability of antigen. This antibody feedback can lead to a situation where a slow rise in selection stringency caused by a changing environment leads to directional evolution toward higher affinity antibody.
Effect of Drought and Nitrogen Availability on Osmotic Adjustment of Five Pearl Millet Cultivars in the Vegetative Growth Stage
Authors: Ali Z. I. , Golombek S. D. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractGrowth of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is affected in areas with limited and erratic rainfall, often combined with nitrogen deficiency. Therefore, effects of severe drought and nitrogen availability on mechanisms of dehydration avoidance were investigated. Five pearl millet genotypes were cultivated in soil differing in nitrogen availability, low (N1), medium (N2) or high (N3) in a climate chamber. Thirty‐five days after sowing, the plants were exposed to drought for 12 days. Drought decreased leaf area and stomatal conductance strongly and caused leaf rolling. In the youngest fully expanded leaves, drought led to an osmotic adjustment from around −0.5 to −0.9 MPa, in N1 and N2 substantially achieved by potassium accumulation. Nitrate contributed to the osmotic adjustment in N2 and N3, proline only slightly, increasingly from N1 to N2, whereas the sum of glucose, fructose and sucrose did not play a role. The dehydration independent osmotic force for water uptake (osmotic potential at full turgor) was under drought strongest at N2 and in the landrace Dembi Yellow stronger than in the cultivars Ashana and Ugandi. This contributed to the higher relative water content (RWC) of ‘Dembi Yellow’, whereas due to other factors nitrogen had no effect on the RWC.
Justice for Irregular Migrants, Refugees and Temporary Workers: Some Issues for Carens
Authors: Brock Gillian 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe Ethics of Immigration is a wonderfully comprehensive and insightful journey through all the major contemporary ethical issues concerning immigration. Through this outstandingly well‐crafted work, Carens builds a compelling case for many important positions on how we should treat migrants. Nevertheless, I believe there are some tensions in his arguments that could do with more analysis. I present some of these issues in this article. These include some important problems with arguments for the right to education for children of irregular migrants and those concerning admission, his general position on refugees, and his views about what is required in order to treat temporary workers fairly.
The effects of incidental anger, contempt, and disgust on hostile language and implicit behaviors
Authors: Matsumoto David , Hwang Hyisung C. , Frank Mark G. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractRecent studies have suggested that the combination of the emotions anger‐contempt‐disgust (ANCODI) is associated with intergroup hostility. This study examined if incidental elicitation of this emotion combination causally produces hostile cognitions, language, and behaviors. Members of political groups were primed with either ANCODI, fear + sadness, or no emotion, and then engaged in creativity task in relation to their opponent or a non‐opponent outgroup. The ANCODI mix produced more hostile cognitions, language, and implicit behaviors associated with hostility, in some cases specifically toward their opponent outgroups, than individuals primed with other emotions. Multiple mediation analyses indicated that the three emotions and their interactions mediated many of the effects.
Separate histories in both sides of the Mediterranean: phylogeny and niche evolution of ocellated lizards
Authors: Ahmadzadeh Faraham , Flecks Morris , Carretero Miguel A. , Böhme Wolfgang , Ihlow Flora , Kapli Paschalia , Miraldo Andreia , Rödder Dennis 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimThe ocellated lizards of the genusTimon,comprising six species that are distributed across continental Asia, Europe and Africa, offer an interesting model to study the evolution of ecological niches through comparative phyloclimatic analysis. Our study provides insights into the evolutionary history of the ocellated lizards and helps to understand the role of climatic niche evolution during the speciation process.LocationEastern and western margins of the Mediterranean basin.MethodsA dated molecular phylogeny was estimated based on three mitochondrial and two nuclear genes. Using multivariate statistics, species distribution models were developed to characterize the Grinnellian niches of all species. Subsequently, ancestral environmental niche occupancy of each taxon was reconstructed using niche occupancy profiles. Niche divergence among species was quantified by computing multivariate niche overlaps via two‐dimensional andn‐dimensional approaches.ResultsPhylogenetic analysis supports that the ancestor ofTimondiverged into the eastern and western groups following multiple vicariance events that shaped the current distribution pattern of Palaearctic lizards. High complexity in the ecological niche evolution between the Mediterranean and non‐Mediterranean climatic regions was detected. The generally low niche divergence among members of the eastern group and the remarkable climatic divergence within the western group highlight an important role of temperature seasonality in a Mediterranean and Atlantic climate context. The results also suggest niche conservatism in terms of microhabitats described by vegetation cover.Main conclusionsThe ocellated lizards provide an interesting example of a vertebrate radiation where niche shift (with or without vicariance) and niche conservatism alternate in different niche axes shaping current biogeographical patterns.
The island rule of body size demonstrated on individual hosts: phytophagous click beetle species grow larger and predators smaller on phylogenetically isolated trees
Authors: Molleman Freerk , Depoilly Alexandre , Vernon Philippe , Müller Jörg , Bailey Richard , Jarzabek‐Müller Andrea , Prinzing Andreas 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAimUnder spatial isolation on oceanic islands, species tend to show extreme body sizes. From the point of view of many colonizers, individual hosts surrounded by phylogenetically distant neighbours are phylogenetically isolated. This study addresses for the first time how phylogenetic isolation of individual hosts affects body size of colonizers, and whether effects on body size reflect selection among colonizers established on host individuals rather than selection among colonizers dispersing toward trees or phenotypic plasticity of colonizers.LocationRennes National Forest, Western France.MethodsWe sampled click beetles (Elateridae) on individual oak trees varying in phylogenetic isolation from their neighbours and in age. We measured body size and fluctuating asymmetry (which we found to correlate to reduced body size) and related both to phylogenetic isolation and age of trees. We compared these relationships among species of different larval trophic position and adult body size, using meta‐analytical approaches.ResultsWithin species, body size changes with phylogenetic isolation of individual host trees: root feeders tend to become larger, predators smaller. Effects were independent of mean body‐size, disappeared with tree age, and were inconsistent with patterns of fluctuating asymmetry.Main conclusionsOur results are consistent with body‐size selection among colonizers established on individual trees, rather than selection among colonizers dispersing toward trees or phenotypic plasticity. Overall, phenotype patterns of animals across islands in the ocean may resemble those across host individuals in a phylogenetically distant neighbourhood, suggesting micro‐evolution of colonizers in response to the macro‐evolutionary structure of the host community.
A comparison of 4‐Fr with 5‐Fr endoscopic nasopancreatic drainage catheters: A randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Mouri Teruo , Sasaki Tamito , Serikawa Masahiro , Ishigaki Takashi , Ishii Yasutaka , Shimizu Akinori , Tsuboi Tomofumi , Kurihara Keisuke , Tatsukawa Yumiko , Miyaki Eisuke , Kawamura Ryota , Tsushima Ken , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackground and AimAlthough endoscopic nasopancreatic drainage (ENPD) is useful for collecting samples for pancreatic juice cytology and for treating leakage of pancreatic juice and occlusive pancreatitis, placement of the ENPD catheter is associated with complications such as post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP). We investigated whether an ENPD catheter with a smaller diameter could reduce the incidence of complications.MethodsPatients requiring placement of an ENPD catheter (n = 254) were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of two catheter‐size groups: the 4‐Fr group or the 5‐Fr group. The incidence of PEP, cholangitis, and spontaneous catheter displacement and the suitability of pancreatic juice cytology samples were compared between groups. In addition, univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted on factors associated with PEP.ResultsThe incidence of PEP was significantly lower in the 4‐Fr group compared with the 5‐Fr group (4.1% vs 12.4%, respectively; P = 0.021). The rate of cholangitis and spontaneous catheter displacement and the suitability of pancreatic juice cytology samples did not differ between groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk of PEP was 3.7 times higher when using a 5‐Fr catheter than when using a 4‐Fr catheter (P = 0.019). In addition, the risk of PEP was 4.1 times higher in patients with an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm than in those without (P = 0.0049) and 4.6 times higher in patients aged <65 than in those aged ≥65 (P = 0.0033).ConclusionsA 4‐Fr catheter is as useful as a 5‐Fr catheter and is associated with a significantly lower incidence of PEP.